Ui Design Principles
UI References and Design Principles
Section titled “UI References and Design Principles”User Interface References
Section titled “User Interface References”Game UI Database
Section titled “Game UI Database”GameUIDatabase.com is a comprehensive database of user interface examples from popular games. This resource provides:
- Searchable categories: inventory, health bar, settings, options menu, loading screens
- Diverse examples: Many games you may never have heard of with fantastic UI approaches
- Layout inspiration: Great reference for your own UI design and prototyping
- Developer insights: See how other developers approach various UI challenges
When you need inspiration or reference, the Game UI Database is an excellent way to quickly explore different developers’ approaches to UI design.
Minimalist Design Philosophy
Section titled “Minimalist Design Philosophy”Core Principles
Section titled “Core Principles”Minimalist or minimum design revolves around keeping user interface simple, clean, and in some cases small. In game design, the concept ensures players feel more immersed in the world you’ve created rather than staring at a user interface.
Purpose of UI Information
Section titled “Purpose of UI Information”User interface serves to:
- Provide information about the world
- Display character status and statistics
- Help players find objectives to complete
- Guide player actions and decisions
Implementation Strategy
Section titled “Implementation Strategy”Many minimalist design examples keep focus and attention on the game itself. The information displayed is:
- Complementary: Supports gameplay without overwhelming
- Backseat approach: Takes secondary position in the layout
- Contextual: Appears when needed, hidden when not
The use of minimalism is still a game design choice and preference - some games will opt out of using it. Always remember that the core use of a user interface is to display information to a player in a clear and concise manner.
Modular Design Workflow
Section titled “Modular Design Workflow”Efficiency and Workflow Benefits
Section titled “Efficiency and Workflow Benefits”Modular design in user interface focuses on workflow and efficiency. It involves creating templates that are:
- Easy to update during development
- Simple to change when requirements shift
- Reusable across different UI elements
Development Challenges
Section titled “Development Challenges”During production, game development presents several challenges:
- Systems may need complete overhauls
- Art direction changes can occur
- Playtesting feedback requires UI adjustments
- Audio updates (button sounds, interaction audio) may be needed
Template Approach Benefits
Section titled “Template Approach Benefits”User interface quickly adds up with tens, sometimes hundreds, of small components that come together. Consider this scenario:
Modular Design Solutions
Section titled “Modular Design Solutions”Modular designs dramatically help with this by:
- Creating single reusable assets that make up your user interface
- Centralized updates: If a change is requested, adjust the single modular UI asset that updates throughout all UI
- Speed up development: Drag and drop components during design phase
- Change flexibility: Easy to revert or modify designs
Design Planning
Section titled “Design Planning”When constructing your user interface, think deeply about how it can be broken down into reusable parts. Consider:
- Which elements appear in multiple locations?
- What components share similar functionality?
- How can templates be parameterized for different uses?
- What aspects are most likely to change during development?
This modular thinking approach saves significant development time and maintains consistency across your entire UI system.