PLEASE NOTE: Suntory Sunbirds TCG is a non-commercial app created for educational and recreational purposes only. No profit is made from this app, and all content is designed for fun and learning. We do not intend to infringe on any intellectual property rights.
This weekend, I worked on designing a prototype app for one of my favorite Japanese volleyball teams: the Suntory Sunbirds. I got the idea from Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), and I wanted to create something similar for the Sunbirds.
I designed all the cards myself, dividing them into different levels: R, SR, SSR, SSR+, and UR. I used Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create the designs and made sure each card had its own unique look based on the tier.
Once the cards were ready, I started working on the UX/UI design. I first created the layout in Illustrator and then moved the elements to Figma, which I only started learning recently while studying for the Microsoft UX Design Professional Certificate. This project was an opportunity to put my learning into practice and dive into what I consider my “deep work”—focused, intense work where I challenge myself to improve and grow.
I tried to make the app in landscape mode at first, but it had too many bugs, so I decided to switch to a vertical version instead. This made things much easier.
The hardest part was adding the animations and transitions. I only had two days to finish before going back to my regular job, so I had to work quickly. Even with the tight deadline, I’m happy with how the prototype turned out.
It was a fun and challenging project, combining my love for volleyball and design. I’m excited to share it with others!
I spent a lot of time on the single-draw animation, but adding more animations for the x10 draw was harder. It felt like my laptop might break! Even so, I loved creating something exciting and fun to watch.
The full prototype of my Suntory Sunbirds app is now available here my blog. Take a look, explore the designs, and experience the animations. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I’ve included the failed landscape version of my Suntory Sunbirds app prototype here. Check it out to see the challenges I faced and how the design evolved!
The landscape version of the Suntory Sunbirds app prototype was my initial attempt to create a game-like layout. However, I ran into technical issues and usability challenges that made it hard to implement effectively. The animations and transitions didn’t perform well, and the overall experience felt clunky. Switching to a vertical design helped solve these problems and made the app much smoother. Sharing this version shows how the project developed and highlights the trial-and-error process behind creating something new.
The chrome pack design was inspired by JVA trading cards I bought from Japan.
