Product Designer · MandoCreator · 2020 to Present

Building MandoCreator From the Ground Up

MandoCreator began as printable armor templates and grew into a web based customization tool used by more than 520,000 people. I designed the product experience, interface, visual system, and SVG assets that power the creator, working with an engineering partner to bring the platform to life.

The armor builder on phone and desktop beside the MandoCreator site

The Challenge

Mandalorian fans had few practical ways to visualize a custom armor kit before building it. Existing tools were limited, so the challenge was creating a flexible browser based experience that could support a huge number of parts, colors, decals, and combinations without becoming overwhelming.

My Role

I own the design side of MandoCreator, including product design, UI and UX, visual design, feature planning, and creation of the SVG artwork that powers the builder. I work directly with my development partner, who handles the engineering and implementation of the platform.

Turning Armor Into a Flexible Design System

MandoCreator is built around interchangeable SVG assets that let users construct a kit piece by piece. Armor components, helmet styles, colors, decals, and backgrounds can all be combined in real time. The system was designed so every asset works visually with the others while still giving users enough freedom to create something unique. Finished designs can be exported as SVG or PNG files, and Patreon members can save designs to their gallery.

The upper body builder: armor styles above a list of every part that can be swapped

Placing a decal on a shoulder plate and picking its color

Designing for an Enormous Number of Possibilities

The complexity comes from what happens when all of those options work together. With more than 140 armor parts, MandoCreator already supports over 100 nonillion possible combinations before accounting for every color and decal variation. The interface organizes that flexibility around the armor itself, making it easy to experiment without turning the creator into a complicated professional design tool.

Rows of finished kits, no two alike in armor, color, or markings

Growing the Creator With the Community

MandoCreator continued to grow as people used it to plan cosplay builds, create original characters, and develop artwork for roleplaying games. Community feedback led to new armor parts and customization options, while the original concept expanded into CloneCreator for custom Clone Trooper designs. The platform also includes an evolving Mando’a dictionary and supporting language tools developed alongside the wider community.

CloneCreator, the same builder fitted out for Clone Trooper armor

The Mando'a dictionary, each entry with its part of speech and pronunciation

Outcome

What began as printable templates has grown into a platform used by more than 520,000 people to plan Mandalorian and Clone Trooper kits, explore character ideas, and create original designs.

MandoCreator continues to grow through new armor parts, language tools, and community driven features.

520K⁺

User worldwide
140⁺ Parts

Customizable Armor Assets
100⁺ Nonillion

Possible Kit Combinations
8 Tools

Armor + Language

Have a role in mind?

Let’s talk about what you’re building!

I’m open to senior UI/UX and product design opportunities where I can work closely with product and engineering and help shape useful, durable software.

Reach Out

james@jamesandersonstudios.com 801.897.2369

Salt Lake City, UT

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