Keeping up to date with the latest design trends and developments is a valuable habit for any UX/UI designer, especially within the games industry. With the landscape of game design continuing to evolve, knowing what current styles and methods resonate with users is crucial to being a successful UX/UI designer. To help with this, we have compiled a list of five sites that a designer can check on their way to work to stay up to date on everything design-related for gaming.
1. Game UI Database
First on the list is Game UI Database. This website offers an extensive collection of UI game assets that can be used as a reference or inspiration for your own work. With over nine hundred and seventy separate titles, this library is one of the most comprehensive collections of game UI assets online.
One of the primary benefits of using Game UI Database is the ability to reference designs from a library of previous successful titles. By browsing through the different sections, you can find UI elements that have worked well in other games and adapt them to your own designs. This is particularly helpful if you’re working on a specific design or niche genre. For example, if you’re designing a game with a skill tree upgrade system, you can find instances of how other games have implemented this feature and use it as a starting point for your own design.
But why is Game UI Database more reliable than just googling for results? When you reference something directly from Google image results, you often have to spend more time figuring out what game you’re looking at and how a specific screen is connected to other areas of the game. Furthermore, Google images surface images from YouTube thumbnails, article posts, and other sources, often resulting in poor resolution and image quality. Game UI Database helps with that as it always has clear images and information regarding the game screen and where it’s located in the overall game flow.
Overall, Game UI Database is an invaluable resource for anyone working in the gaming industry. Whether you’re a seasoned designer or just starting out, this website can help you stay on top of the latest design trends and create high-quality UI elements that are sure to captivate players.
2. UXPlanet
Keeping up with the latest user experience trends and design techniques is essential to creating designs that are both innovative and functional. UXPlanet.org is a website that can help you do just that. This website provides an extensive collection of articles, tutorials, and insights into the latest findings and best practices in user experience design.
One of the main benefits of UXPlanet.org is the wealth of information it provides on different UX/UI design topics. From design theory to practical tips and tricks, the website covers a wide range of topics that can help you improve your skills as a designer. The website also offers a platform to connect with other UX/UI designers to share knowledge and ideas. By engaging with the community and participating in discussions, you can gain insights from designers outside your network and get feedback on your own work.
The website features articles and blog posts on current events and emerging technologies, keeping you informed on the latest developments in the field. This can be especially useful if you’re working on a project that involves new or emerging technologies, as you can ensure that your design is up-to-date and cutting-edge.
3. Nielsen Norman Group
As mentioned above, UX/UI designers in the video game industry know that user experience is critical to a game’s success. A well-designed user experience keeps players engaged and coming back for more. Similar to UXplanet, nngroup.com is another site designers should reference to keep their finger on the pulse of UX developments.
First, it’s important to understand NNgroup.com’s history and the individuals behind it. NNgroup.com was founded by Jakob Nielsen and Don Norman, two pioneers in the field of user experience design. Nielsen and Norman have been instrumental in shaping the field of user experience design, and their research and teachings have influenced countless designers over the years.
The site is an invaluable resource for UX/UI designers, offering a wealth of information and tools to improve a game’s user experience. The website clearly and concisely covers a range of topics relevant to designers in the video game industry, such as usability testing and information architecture.
In addition to information, nngroup.com provides various tools and resources to help designers improve their game’s user experience. For example, the website provides a set of usability heuristics based on years of research and testing. These heuristics can help designers evaluate the effectiveness of their game’s user interface and identify areas for improvement.
Nngroup.com also offers a collection of case studies that examine real-world examples of user experience design in action. These case studies provide valuable insights and inspiration for designers working in the video game industry. Studying the successes and failures of other designers encourages UX/UI designers to apply the lessons learned to their own work.
By taking advantage of what nngroup.com has to offer, designers can take their game’s user experience to the next level and create experiences that keep players coming back for more.
4. IGN/Gamespot/Kotaku
IGN, Gamespot and Kotaku are among the top gaming websites creating content on the latest games, hardware, and sensations. In addition to game reviews, these sites also provide insightful editorials and opinion pieces that explore the culture and history of gaming. By diving into articles on these sites, you can better understand how gamers interact with games and what they expect from them. This knowledge can inform your approach to designing intuitive interfaces and engaging user experiences that appeal to a broad range of players. Staying current with gaming news also allows you to proactively anticipate new trends and adapt your design approach to meet the industry’s ever-changing needs. With a finger on the pulse of the gaming world, you can foster meaningful conversations with your colleagues and build a reputation as an expert in your field.
One of the most significant advantages of keeping up with gaming news is that it can inspire fresh ideas for your own designs. By staying current with gaming trends, you can identify new mechanics or approaches that can be applied to your projects. You can also gain insights into the different user preferences and behaviours, enabling you to design interfaces and experiences that cater to the needs and expectations of your audience. Reading gaming news can also give you a sense of the broader context of the gaming industry, including significant challenges and opportunities, which can further inform your decision-making as a designer.
Moreover, IGN, Gamespot, and Kotaku are not just about gaming news; they also offer a wide range of features that can help you develop a well-rounded understanding of the gaming industry. From interviews with prominent game designers to deep dives into specific games or genres, there is a wealth of information available that can broaden your knowledge and expertise. These sites can also provide insights into the cultural and social impact of gaming, which can be helpful when designing games that are inclusive and appeal to diverse audiences.
5. Gamedeveloper
Gamedeveloper, formerly known as Gamasutra, is an industry-leading source of information for those seeking to understand the latest developments in the gaming industry. While the gaming news sites mentioned above mainly focus on providing reviews, gameplay, and pop culture coverage, Gamedeveloper specializes in business-related content that covers topics such as production, development, and mergers. The site’s homepage is ideal for those interested in keeping track of the latest acquisitions and business news. However, it’s the design category that holds the most value for UX/UI designers.
The design category on Gamedeveloper covers game design as a whole, with a particular emphasis on the design process behind games and game development. This content provides insights into the industry from the designers’ perspective, shedding light on their methods, findings, and advice. The discussions aren’t solely targeted toward UX/UI design but offer valuable knowledge about the overall design landscape. This knowledge is crucial for UX/UI designers who want to be well-rounded in their approach and have a deep understanding of the industry.
One of the most insightful features of Gamedeveloper is its “Deep Dive” series. This series is designed to explore the inner workings of a particular title, aiming to showcase how seemingly simple design decisions aren’t that simple at all. By delving into specific design, art, or technical features within a video game, Gamedeveloper provides valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted world of game design. This level of insight is incredibly valuable for UX/UI designers, as it allows them to better understand the challenges and opportunities involved in designing games that are both engaging and intuitive.
6. BONUS: The Noun Project
As an added bonus, we have The Noun Project. While The Noun Project isn’t a must-check every day for UX/UI Designers, it is an extremely helpful website that you may find yourself using regularly. The Noun Project is a website that provides a vast collection of iconography that UX/UI designers can use to enhance their designs. The website offers over two million curated icons and graphics, making it an invaluable resource for designers looking for specific elements to use in their designs. The icons on the website are organized by category, making it easy for designers to find the perfect graphics for their needs.
One of the primary benefits of The Noun Project is that it saves designers a lot of time by providing ready-made icons that can be used in their designs. Instead of spending hours creating or sourcing icons, designers can quickly search the website for the perfect icons for their designs. The icons on the website are also available in different file formats, including SVG, PNG, and PDF, making it easy for designers to use them in their preferred design tools.
The Noun Project can inspire designers to think creatively when it comes to iconography. By browsing through the different categories and icon styles, designers can get a sense of what works well in the context of a video game. This knowledge can be especially beneficial if you’re designing an interface for a new type of game or a unique feature. Overall, The Noun Project is an excellent resource for UX/UI designers looking to enhance their designs with high-quality, curated iconography. By using the website, designers can save time, improve their designs, and explore new creative ideas for their work.
By regularly visiting these five/six websites, UX/UI game designers can stay informed about industry news, find inspiration for their work, and stay ahead of the curve regarding design trends and techniques. Whether you’re looking to build your portfolio, discover new techniques, or stay informed about industry news, these five websites are must-visit resources for UX/UI game designers. For more information on UX/UI design in the Video Game Industry, check out the following links on how to get a UX/UI design job in the games industry or try out some games to test your UX/UI design skills.