Pet Pointer is a playful interactive web experience inspired by the website Pointer Pointer. Instead of people pointing at your cursor, Pet Pointer dynamically displays images of dogs appearing to “point” at the user’s mouse location. The project explores interaction design, DOM manipulation, and user delight through simple but engaging front-end logic.
Front-End Development • Creative Coding • JavaScriptSolo Project
View Prototype
Designer & Developer
Solo
2 Weeks
HTML • CSS • JavaScript
Interactive Web Project
iOS
- Recreate an existing interaction pattern - independently
- Practice DOM manipulation and mouse tracking
- Improve JavaScript logic structuring
Create a playful, shareable experience
- Analyzed how Pointer Pointer detects cursor position and swaps images.
- Mapped how mouse coordinates could determine image placement.
Implemented mouse event listeners
- Calculated cursor position dynamically
- Randomized image selection
- Positioned images responsively
- Tested across screen sizes and optimized image scaling to maintain illusion accuracy.
- Games like Agar.io and similar .io-style games use simple mechanics and real-time interaction to drive engagement
- Agar.io is intuitive and easy to learn, but can become repetitive over timeMany alternatives focus on competition, often at the expense of visual clarity and user experience
- These games highlight how simplicity and fast feedback keep users engaged
- This project builds on those strengths while improving design, onboarding, and overall user experience
Many web experiences are static and predictable. I wanted to explore how a simple cursor-based interaction could create surprise and delight while also strengthening my front-end development skills. Additionally, I was interested in understanding how lightweight interaction logic can dramatically increase engagement without complex backend systems.
Pet Pointer reimagines the original Pointer Pointer concept by replacing human imagery with dogs positioned in ways that appear to be reacting to the user's cursor. Each time the user moves their mouse, a new dog image loads strategically positioned to align visually with the cursor.The experience is intentionally simple, humorous, and frictionless
Casual internet users
Users who enjoy novelty web experiences
Desktop users (cursor-based interaction)
Designers and developers interested in creative coding
