ESCAPELY DESIGNER APPLICATION
David Bettencourt | Applied February 12, 2023
Hello Escapely! I'm incredibly excited to be applying for both your Graphic & Puzzle Designer roles.
On this page, you'll find 2 puzzles that I developed for this application, as well as two previous puzzle examples I created in the past. Below that is a small selection of works that I feel encapsulate my many design talents.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to give me a ring (347-515-5825) or drop me an email (dave@azroix.com). Thank you for the opportunity and your consideration!
Puzzle Design
The Hitman's Cipher
A phrase has been encrypted using the provided cipher. The cipher image has a similar layout to the alphabet and, once placed over the alphabet, it becomes evident that only two letters are contained in any encapsulated area. Swapping one letter for the other decrypts the text. Tim & Eric would be proud.
rat's tail maze
This puzzle is a unique take on the circular maze. Instead of trying to get to the center, you start at the center and try to reach one of the letters on the outer ring. Only a few of the letters can be reached and figuring out which ones will give you a set of letters. Unscrambling them is a matter of figuring out the length of their respective paths on the maze, longest to shortest.
ANSWERS
PREVIOUS PUZZLES
Geocache SCAVENGER HUNT
CRYPTEX Riddle
For my sister's birthday in 2020, I created a geocaching scavenger hunt. Starting with the bookshelf in her room (the left side paper) that had a fake book I planted, the clues and key inside the book would lead her to 2 other locations and 2 other keys, culminating in a final ammo crate chained with a lock puzzle.
The first location clue was a few blocks from where we live, at the Dead End sign on Est 17th and Dekoven Streets. Behind the sign was a cache held in place with a magnet. The second location clue was right outside our window, with the A and C underlined, she would find another cache placed on the underside of the AC unit in her window.
Each of those cache's had an additional key for the final lock puzzle and one half of the final location. The clue was a "Prageny Cnex Nepuvgrpg" which decrypts using ROT13 to "Central Park Architect", a photo Calvert Vaux and the statement "In 1934, I got my own park. The Beatles would've liked the view from here."
It all led to the shoreline of Calvert Vaux Park where you can see the iconic Yellow Submarine. Hidden amongst the brush, was the ammo crate locked with the puzzle lock.
For a friend's birthday, I gave them this Cryptex with the following riddle:
"To those who know what waits beyond death,
Drug to the Kraken's depths,
With severed hand,
Lured by the Kitsune,
Standing in the face of Cerberus,
I ask, what does thy knees lament?"
Each line a clue to a number with the only outside knowledge being that of mythical creatures. The last line is an inside joke for the number 2.
Drug to the Kraken's depths,
With severed hand,
Lured by the Kitsune,
Standing in the face of Cerberus,
I ask, what does thy knees lament?"
Each line a clue to a number with the only outside knowledge being that of mythical creatures. The last line is an inside joke for the number 2.
The code 085932 allowed them to retrieve the contents within the cryptex.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
GIANI NYC
ERGO GROUP
In 2014, I offered to rebrand the street wear brand for a friend of mine. I developed a versatile and iconic logomark and wordmark that has been the cornerstone of the brand since.
A friend of mine contacted me about pitching a rebrand for a client of his. A new redesign of their logo and cleaner visuals to change from Ergonomics Group Inc into ERGO Group.
SCHOLASTIC PRINT MATERIALS
MONKEY & PEACH
I worked at Scholastic in their Classroom Magazines division as a print designer, creating the marketing materials for their Fall & Spring semester renewals.
The first Kickstarter campaign I ever designed and managed. In addition, I handled the print production, lettering, and writing & layouts for the bonus content. I also created the series logo and the traditional Japanese crests that appear in the book.
A FATHER'S SON SHORT FILM
FIGHT MONEY ALBUM DESIGN
After managing the Monkey & Peach Kickstarter, I collaborated with a filmmaker on his short film. I worked on everything from the campaign design to the title sequence, end credits, merchandise and more.
Fight Money was the first album cover I had the pleasure to work on. This design featured a woodblock style illustration on a custom designed bank note for a fictious currency.
CAPCOM CUP 2018
SUPER LORE BOYS SEASON ONE
The broadcast design for the 2018 Capcom Cup. Using Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Blender and Element 3D, I designed, animated and oversaw production on the entire package for the 3-day event.
I designed the brand identity and full graphics package for this podcast, while helping its founder and host coordinate interviews with each seasons international guests.
FUN SIDE PROJECTS
KILLER SHORTS AWARD (Links Off-Site)
BELLINI KID'S MENU
When a friend told me about the Killer Shorts horror screenplay competition, I figured I'd try my hand at writing one since I do enjoy writing for fun. My one-page entry came 1st place and I was sent this dope trophy.
Quite possibly the most fun solo project I've been paid to work on. This menu features a look & find illustration that was quite a nostalgia trip.