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Any UI / visual designers transitioned to the games industry?

over 6 years ago from , Independent designer

I do love a good video game and have done for some time. Recently someone got in contact with me regarding a UI / designer position at a games company. Unfortunately the position was filled by a candidate with industry experience but it made me seriously think about working in that market.

Wondering if any of you have made the transition in to the games industry. If so, was it a challenge and what advice would you give to someone looking to transition from more conventional website / app visual design.

7 comments

  • Keiran LovettKeiran Lovett, over 6 years ago

    I've actually been in the games industry as a UI / UX designer for a while.

    However this was something I wanted to go into Day One, so I didn't transition. I went to university with a Major in Interactive Design and Game Development, learning experience design, lots of psychology, and of course...making games!

    The good thing, or bad (depends how you see it), is its pretty easy to apply conventional app design learning to game design - your still trying to convey information to the user.

    What you'd need to do is learn more about game design practices, so start making games and join game jams as this is something most game designers will look out for.

    I'd also recommend checking out https://www.youtube.com/user/therevui and others studies of game UI's.

    6 points
    • Denis RojcykDenis Rojcyk, over 6 years ago

      Thank you, the channel looks super helpful!

      2 points
    • Dean HaydenDean Hayden, over 6 years ago

      That is all exceptionally useful. Enjoying the Destiny Alpha video as I type.

      0 points
      • Kris Barratt, over 6 years ago

        Oh this channel is great! I've been thinking about making the same switch and have an interview at a VR games company in the next couple of weeks actually.

        0 points
    • Lee Williams, over 6 years ago

      As a product designer for consumer software and a rabid gamer, I always wonder why most games UI is so god awful? Especially large epic RPGs where interacting with UI is critical to actually playing, understanding and enjoying the game. Mass Effect Andromeda is the obvious dead horse to beat on right now and it's especially bad.

      0 points
      • matt michelsonmatt michelson, over 6 years ago

        I'd guess that each sub-menu is probably created and tested by a single person, on a story-by-story basis. It's easy to run out of time to do usability testing. Andromed in particular has an inconsistent trainwreck of a user interface - even the cancel button changes from menu to menu - but it's functionally complete.

        0 points
  • Kris Barratt, over 6 years ago

    I want to know the exact same thing! Following...

    1 point