A Comprehensive Guide to Game UX
Tips for designers at any level š¾
Whether you're a seasoned UX designer pivoting into games or a beginner starting from scratch, this guide provides a structured pathway to support you. It's filled with resources for every phase of your journey. So, buckle up and letās dive in!
1. The First Steps into UX Design
If you're new to UX, building a solid foundation is crucial.
š Courses
Google UX Design Certificate: A free beginner-friendly course introducing core UX principles. Highly recommended for anyone starting in the field.
Figma Tutorials: Explore Figmaās official tutorials to learn the basics of this versatile tool, useful for everything from UX mockups and flows to high-fidelity prototypes.
Interaction Design Foundation: A great library of online courses for all skill levels, covering UX design and research. They offer discounted student pricing if applicable.
šÆ Practical Exercises
Daily UI Challenge: A fun way to sharpen your UI skills, you can pair it with Figma to build a portfolio while learning. Even if UI design isnāt your primary goal, some basic knowledge will enhance your skill set and make you familiar with interaction patterns.
š Books
"The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman: A timeless classic that introduces fundamental design principles applicable across industries.
"What UX is Really About" by Celia Hodent: A practical guide to the UX mindset, focusing on communicating its value effectively.
š Online Resources
8 Must-Read Books for Designers: Check extra recommendations in this post.
UX Design Roadmap by Simonas Maciulis: A curated guide filled with links to tools and resources for UX designers ā one of my personal favorites.
Laws of UX:A concise overview of key UX principles like Gestalt laws and heuristics.
2. Transitioning to Games
Shifting to game UX requires understanding how player experience (PX) differs from user experience, aside from the basics of Game Design.
š Courses
Games UX Foundations: Webinar with Om Tandon made for people who are transitioning from traditional UX to games.
Introduction to Game Design: Offered by CalArts, this course covers foundational game design principles.
šÆ Practical Exercises
Analyze Games: Study the UX of your favorite games. Break down their parys to understand what makes them special and memorable.
š Books
"The Gamer's Brain" by Celia Hodent: A must-read for understanding how cognitive science principles apply to games. Itās packed with practical examples that bridge UX and PX. You can also find her presentations on YouTube for free, offering a great introduction to her ideas.
š Online Resources
GDC Vault: Access talks on game UX/UI and game design - Many are free.
Game Makerās Toolkit: Great channel featuring in-depth videos on game design principles.
Tales from the Couch: Check out my old LinkedIn series for short UX analyses of games, a good example of the practical exercise Iāve just mentioned.
3. Refining Your UX/UI Skills
Enhancing your skills involves deepening your understanding of specific topics and building expertise in tools and techniques.
š Courses
UI Peeps Bootcamp: A masterclass covering game UI design from concept to creation. Though a big investment, its content and community are excellent for taking you to the next level in UI.
Gaming Accessibility Fundamentals: A free course that covers the basics of designing accessible games and understanding the needs of gamers with disabilities.
šÆ Practical Exercises
Check Portfolio References: Study how other professionals present their ideas, processes, and final results in their portfolios to later build and refine your own.
š Books
"Games User Research" by Drachen, Mirza-Babaei, and Nacke: A comprehensive guide to user research in the gaming industry, offering methodologies, case studies, and insights to enhance player experiences.
"The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses" by Jesse Schell: Covers game design fundamentals, including user engagement, mechanics, and playtesting.
"Game Feel: A Game Designerās Guide to Virtual Sensation" by Steve Swink: Explores crafting satisfying interactions, a crucial element for bridging UX design with gameplay.
š Online Resources
Explore a Game Engine: Learn Unity or Unreal Engine to prototype game mechanics and interfaces. Both platforms offer free learning resources on their websites.
UI Vault: A curated collection of UI inspiration and resources.
Game UI Database: A vast library of games for UX/UI references ā a goldmine for designers.
By exploring these resources, youāll be well-equipped for your learning adventure.
These arenāt just generic recommendations ā theyāve been invaluable in my own UX journey and continue to help me grow. I hope theyāll serve you well too š.