Premium Interactive Lab

The Cursor as a Character

You're not just building a cursor—you're designing an interface to your intention.

A three-stage journey from apprentice to architect. Learn physics, state machines, and particle systems while discovering your design philosophy.

3-4 Hours Total

3 Stages

Hands-On Code

Design Exercises

Cursor AI Interface - Code editor with AI assistant

"Every pixel you write carries meaning."

Learning Science Foundation

Execution → Reflection → Reframe

Every code change leads to guided reflection, connecting technical choices to user perception.

Deliberate Struggle

Challenges are scaffolded but not solved for you. Struggle with support builds deeper mental models.

Identity Formation

By Stage 3, you'll have built YOUR cursor, reflecting YOUR aesthetic and philosophy.

The Journey

Awakening

—"The Companion"

Your mouse is input. The cursor is acknowledgment. For the first time, you'll write that acknowledgment yourself.

Beginner20-30 min

Event HandlingCSS PositioningReact StateDesign Fundamentals

Build a cursor that follows your mouse

Understand the relationship between input and visual feedback

Make intentional design choices about color, size, and presence

Begin Stage 1

Mastery

—"The Conversation"

Your cursor isn't just following anymore. It's responding. When you hover a button, it knows. When you click, it reacts.

Intermediate45-60 min

State MachinesEasing FunctionsEvent DelegationAnimation Loops

Implement multi-state cursor behavior

Add smooth easing that feels alive

Create visual feedback for hover and click states

Begin Stage 2

Transcendence

—"The Architect"

You're no longer following rules. You're making them. Your cursor is now a complete system: physics, particles, identity.

Advanced90-120 min

Canvas APIParticle SystemsPhysics SimulationPerformance Optimization

Build a complete particle system

Create a cursor with personality and physics

Optimize for 60fps performance

Begin Stage 3

What's Included

Live Code Editor

Write and test in real-time

Performance Metrics

FPS, memory, event tracking

Reflection Journal

Document your learning journey

Completion Badges

Earn recognition for each stage

Design Exercises

Art direction challenges

Deliberate Challenges

Scaffolded problem-solving

Peer Gallery

See what others built

Portfolio Export

Take your code with you

Ready to Begin?

Start with Stage 1: Awakening. No prior experience required—just curiosity and willingness to experiment.