Mobile Games Design UI | UX. Mobile Game UI Design for Smartphones.  Best Practices of UI Designers in Game Art

In this article we will talk about rather complex concepts in design - in game UI and UX. You will learn about what is UI in gaming, how these concepts differ, and yes, many people confuse these concepts, but these are completely different things. You will also have the opportunity to see the quality in several examples and to figure out whether you can do this work yourself or whether it is better to ask someone else to make the gaming UI for you.

 

 

User interface for games

 

 

Simply saying , the UI in game is what the player sees when he turns on the game. Minmap, inventory menu, the main game menu, the settings menu, and the tab with perks are all examples of interface elements. The main task for designers is to make the game UI simple, understandable and aesthetically pleasing.

 

What does UI mean in games?

 

 

Let's dive into the importance of user feedback, HUD, and adventure games specifically for mobile phones. A game's UI (User Interface) plays a crucial role in providing a seamless experience for players. The HUD or Heads-Up Display is a key component of the UI that displays vital information like minimaps, ability icons, ammo count, currency, etc. It is important to design the HUD in a way that conveys all the necessary information without overcrowding the screen. If smartphone app hud is bad, you’ll notice that.

Players also interact with various menus like the main menu, pause menu, inventory menu, character leveling menu, and more. These menus should be easy to navigate, simple, and clear for the player. User feedback is crucial in designing an efficient UI that meets the players' expectations. Adventure games require an immersive UI that blends seamlessly with the storyline and mechanics.

When designing UI, the designer should focus on several principles like simplicity, clarity, and ease of navigation. The UI can be colorful or minimalistic, depending on the specific genre. It should be easy to understand for both newbies and experienced gamers. Mobile phones offer a unique platform for game development. Designers must keep in mind the specific requirements and limitations of mobile devices while designing the UI.

The second principle is information. The designer must ensure that the UI displays all the essential information without overcrowding it with unimportant details. The third principle is traditions. The gaming industry has established stable standards for games interface and features during the 2020s. While it is okay to experiment, designers should not overdo it, as the player should almost immediately figure out the UI when entering the game.

One of the critical components of UI is good UX or User Experience. Good UX ensures that the player has an enjoyable experience while playing the game. One of the ways to achieve good UX is by using proper color contrast. When designing the UI, the designer should use colors that contrast well and don't strain the player's eyes. A pleasant experience during gameplay is vital, and proper color contrast contributes to this.

Finally, it's essential to note that a UI plays a significant role in the popularity of the game. A popular game often has a well-designed and easy-to-use UI that contributes to the player's overall experience. At AAA Game art studio, we offer UI/UX services to ensure that your game has a well-designed UI that contributes to its overall success. When designing a game UI, the task of the designer is to create a video games UI that will display the information necessary for the game, but at the same time not overload it with unimportant details.

For example, the interface of Dark Souls games can be described as quite minimalistic (by the standards of RPG games), but it shows all the important information , taking up a minimum of space. A designer's high-quality work is evident in this example.
Traditions. During the 2020s, the gaming industry established stable standards for games interface and different features. This does not mean that you should be like everyone else and copy others - experimenting is always a worthwhile thing, but, do not overdo this - after entering the game, the player should almost immediately figure it out, and do not waste time studying your unique UI.

 

 

Differences for mobile games UI designs

 

 

When it comes to mobile game interfaces, it's important to take a different approach compared to UI design for computer games or consoles. Mobile game UI design requires simplicity and correct combination of elements. One rule of thumb is to keep the interface as simple as possible. To avoid overloading the player, it's essential to arrange the elements properly. For instance, in the character's menu, worn equipment can be added alongside a button to upgrade skills, as well as information about the character's level and experience.

Another crucial aspect is scaling, as different devices have varying resolutions and screen sizes. Thus, it's important to leave room for scaling to ensure the game looks good on all devices, including large tablets and small smartphones. In terms of colors, bright colors like red are more noticeable and often used to indicate important elements such as character health or key notifications.

However, overabundance of elements can be overwhelming and confusing for the player, so it's important to group different elements in a logical sequence. For example, when opening the character menu, the player can see the button to go to the inventory, then to the journal with tasks or the skill upgrade menu, and so on. Additionally, it's important to keep the interface elements relevant and to only provide necessary information for the player.

A competent designer should also have knowledge of color theory and the right color combinations to use for highlighting different elements. If you're planning to create interfaces or develop your own game app, you should consider all these features in advance. Remember, a well-designed interface can help end-users easily understand the game and lead to a positive player experience.

At AAA Game art studio, we understand the importance of designing beautiful illustrations and interfaces that appeal to game players. Our commitment to excellence in visual art has earned us the trust of top game developers and publishing companies worldwide. Whether you need concept art, 2D or 3D characters, isometric or hidden object art, we have the experience and expertise to handle any size and style of projects. Trust us to create stunning art for your PC, mobile, console, or social game.

 

 

Main features of game menus design

 

 

The game menu design is the first thing the player sees when they turn on the game, after the splash screen, if there is one. The menu should be simple, understandable, display the style of the game (not necessary, but highly desirable), give access to all the necessary functions - start a new game, load a save, settings menu, exit button, and so on. The menu for mobile games may include:

• Various buttons.
• Images.
• Checkboxes.
• Lists.
• Sliders.
• Dropdowns and other elements.

The main thing when designing in-game menu is find the right simplicity and informativeness options. At the same time, if the game menu matches the style and direction of your game, this will be a pleasant advantage that the player will notice. For example, if you are creating a minimalistic stealth game, then the menu should be as simple and minimalistic as possible; if you are planning to create an MMO, then it would not be wise to add various tabs for entering the game and exiting, for interacting with other players, a selection and creation menu for new characters and so on.

 

 

What should you know about games UX?

 

 

There is no generally accepted definition of the term “game UX design” since UX (User Experience) design is a complex concept that includes a huge number of different “sciences”. According to the Oxford Journal of "Interacting with Computers", UX Design refers to the process of creating useful, easy, and pleasant-to-use products (not only digital, but also physical). The task of UI and game UX designers (if there are two of them) is to create a product that is easy and pleasant to use. Understanding the user and the features of the product is crucial to completing this task.

In essence, the UI designer develops the optimal interface, and the game UX designer must make it as fit and correct as possible for all users. At the same time, the UX designer does not create a positive experience for users, he creates the conditions for the formation of such an experience. A talented gaming UX designer can create a positive experience for players through interaction with your game - all this thanks to high-quality UX in games.

 

 

Making UX and UI for games yourself or…

 

 

Hey guys, have you ever thought about making the mobile game UI design yourself? It can be a great experience, and you have full control over the game's look and feel. You can customize the UI elements to match the theme of the game and create a fun game that players will love. Besides, if you're familiar with design for mobile devices, creating the UX/UI shouldn't be hard.

However, let's face it: sometimes, we're not that gifted with designing, or maybe we're just too busy. That's when contacting outsource art studios come into play. With their designers' expertise and experience, they can create high-quality graphics that will attract players and enhance the user experience. Moreover, such art studios can turn around projects quickly, so you'll have the finished product in no time.

So, what's the best option? That's up to you! If you're up for the challenge, making the UX/UI yourself can be a rewarding experience. But, if you want to have the best graphics and save time, we are the right art studio thate make one of the best UI and UX designs out there.

 

 

Best UI and UX outsourcing decisions

 

 

Many companies turn to outsourcing services due to the fact that it is simply much cheaper than spending huge amounts of money on establishing a new game UI department, purchasing equipment, creating conditions for workers, regular payments, training and skills development, and so on. All this requires not only a lot of money, but also time, and the result may not be what you expect - for example, a new department may simply not pay for itself, or if your company employs several dozen people, which is enough to maintain games in proper working order, then creating a dedicated and such a large-scale department just does not make sense. Outsourcing will be your salvation, and AAA Game Art Studio will help you with this - professionals in their field will be able to not only produce beautiful views, landscapes and animations for your game (both 2D and 3D), but also design high-quality UI / UX for your game, or optimize and improve the existing one.

 

 

Some examples of high-quality user interface for games

 

 

As an example, we chose several games in order to more clearly understand what a high-quality UI / UX design looks like. Games from Playtika were chosen:

Bingo Blitz - a colorful cartoon-style Bingo game. Use your unique abilities to complete levels and earn rewards. A number of mini-games and even multiplayer with chat are also presented for your attention! You can play with your friends and find out which one of you is smarter.
Caesar Slots - a representative of the popular genre of slots for mobile devices, which stands out for its extremely colorful picture, beautiful animation and the atmosphere of Las Vegas. Ideal for those who are not ready to spend real money but really want to feel a sense of excitement and feel the adrenaline rush from winnings.
House of Fun - casino slots simulator where you can become a millionaire without risking a single cent of your savings - just play for fun! The only disadvantage of the game is that you cannot withdraw money earned from it using your bank card.

Art for these games were created by AAA Game Art Studio, and upon closer examination of them, you can see high-quality animations, a nice picture and an intuitive game user interface, all of which create the conditions for a positive user experience. It will be enjoyable and easy for players to play these games. All this is achieved thanks to high-quality design and beautiful graphics.

 

 

Best Game UI Design Practices

 

 

Alright, let's talk about some top-quality game UI design practices for mobile games. When designing mobile games, it's important to keep in mind the game's narrative and how the UI and UX design elements can enhance it. Throughout the design process, make sure you're thinking about the user experience and how easy it is for players to navigate the mobile app.

Utilize intuitive gestures and interfaces that players would be familiar with. Keep it simple and avoid cluttering the screen with too many elements. Consistent typography and visual style can also enhance the overall look and feel of your game. Lastly, make sure to test your design with real players to get feedback and improve upon it. By following these practices, you can create a mobile game interface that's not only easy on the eyes. It also enhances the gameplay experience.

 

 

Mobile Game Design Process

 

 

The process of designing a mobile game involves several stages, such as brainstorming ideas, defining the elements of the game, creating game mechanics, and testing the game prototype. A game designer considers various factors while designing a game, such as the target audience, the objective, and the budget. They also need to ensure the game is visually appealing, engaging, and easy to use. For instance, if designing a crossword puzzle game, the designer must ensure the layout is clear, the clues are challenging yet straightforward, and the game mechanics are easy to understand. To avoid design mistakes, game designers must test and receive feedback on the game prototype. Playtesting helps address issues such as bugs, design flaws, and gameplay mechanics, ensuring the final product is enjoyable and bug-free.

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