How to spot a good game UX/UI artist
There are many aspects to creating a game. The development team can consist of concept artists, game designers, producers, developers, 2D and 3D artists, UI (user interface) and UX (user experience) designers, etc. Some studios include all of the above, while others focus on a single aspect.
UX/UI design for games has traditionally been under-appreciated and overlooked, yet it’s a vital part for games. Luckily, this is changing in recent years. More people are recognizing the importance of a good user experience and an eye-catching user interface. Thus the number of people wanting to work in this area of the gaming industry rises. In fact, according to Onwardsearch.com the 6th most in-demand position in the gaming industry for 2022 was ‘UI artist’.
As the roles of both UI and UX designers become more common, their duties are more clearly defined. UX designers tend to focus more on the wireframes, flow, and all aspects of the player’s interaction with the game. UI artists tend to focus on making all of that look good by creating interesting and immersive interfaces.
What does it take to be a good game UX/UI designer? It takes the right balance of artistic ability, technical know-how, and the ability to visualize complex information. Some of the qualities employers would often look for in UX/UI candidates would be their ability to critically think, solve problems, how well they communicate, and how organized they are. These are some of the competencies that a great UX/UI artist has and they are all in addition to their artistic ability and technical proficiency.
But how do we spot a good UX/UI artist? Continue reading this article to find out!
Start with the portfolio
All art-related companies start evaluating a potential employee by viewing and analyzing the candidate’s CV and portfolio and this is no surprise. But what is it that we need to be looking for?
Well, firstly a good game UX/UI artist should have a portfolio that showcases their previous work in the gaming industry. Here are the things you need to look for:
Clarity and consistency
Look for examples of interfaces that are visually appealing, easy to navigate, and consistent with the game’s art style. Ensure that the layout is consistent across different screens and levels.
Aesthetics
The candidate should have a solid understanding of color theory, typography, and layout design, and overall aesthetics that reflect the game's genre, tone, and target audience. It is important to see if they’ve included designs of visual assets that are consistent with the game’s art style and branding. Of course, they need to be proficient in design software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Game UX/UI experience
When looking for an UX/UI artist to work on a game project, it is important to look at their experience designing for a variety of game genres and platforms. Different game genres have different art styles, aesthetics, and requirements, so it is recommended to find an artist who has experience creating artwork that fits the specific style of the game you are developing. Their portfolio will give you an idea of their ability to switch between styles and whether they are capable of delivering the quality of work you expect.
For example, an artist who specializes in creating UX/UI for learning apps may not be the best fit for designing an FPS game for console.
In the cases when the artist doesn’t have much experience working on real game projects, we analyze their work and look for well balanced designs, visual hierarchy and the presence (or lack) of a design system.
User-Centered Design
Check for evidence of user-centered design principles, such as usability testing, user research, and data-driven decisions.
Responsiveness
If the game is intended for mobile devices for example, check if the designer's portfolio includes examples of mobile-friendly interfaces that are optimized for small screens and touch interactions.
Innovation and Creativity
The best candidates will showcase innovative and creative ideas, demonstrating their ability to think outside the box and come up with new solutions to complex design challenges.
Remember, the most important thing is to make sure the designer's work is relevant to the specific needs of your game project. So it's essential to review their portfolio carefully and ask them specific questions to understand their design approach and how they can help solve your game's unique design challenges.
Game industry interviews and understanding game artists
The interview is the part where you actually get to know the person behind the artist. Еmployers aim to hire team players to ensure good collaboration between members. Use this time to look for several things:
Find out if they are open to feedback
Game development is a collaborative process and it's essential for a game UX/UI artist to be open to feedback, constructive criticism, and new ideas, and be willing to iterate on their designs until they meet the project's goals and requirements. They should also be able to manage their time and tasks effectively. The goal of task schedules is to minimize the employee’s discomfort and although they don’t have control over this, they have the power to prioritize and optimize their work.
Ask about their design process
A good game UX/UI artist should have a well-defined design process that involves understanding the game's mechanics, researching the target audience, creating wireframes, and iterating on designs based on feedback. If their process differs from the one you’ve established in your studio, discuss how you can alter or combine certain steps.
Look for a passion for games
A good game UX/UI artist should be passionate about games and understand the importance of creating interfaces that enhance the player's experience. Moreover, when the artist has a wide range of played games, they can use this to their advantage when analyzing, researching, looking for references, and proposing ideas during the game development process.
Seek out recommendations
Before (or after) the interview, if possible, ask for recommendations from other developers or industry professionals who have worked with the artist before. This background check can give you a better idea of their skills and work ethic.
Look for proactivity and flexibility
Sometimes it is not enough to be a good artist. Many designers are good at creating great designs, but lack the motivation to go the extra mile. Optimizing your and your colleagues’ work is an essential part of establishing a great workflow in your company. An artist that strives to help the team improve their workflow, reads articles on various topics concerning the game industry and is eager to learn new things constantly is rare and valuable. Good UX/UI artists are always staying up-to-date with the industry trends and emerging technologies.
Another important trait that most gaming companies look for in a candidate is flexibility. Here are some crucial aspects of flexibility that employers look for in an UX/UI artist:
Understand the player’s perspective
In the game-creating process user feedback is a very important aspect and creators need to prioritize the player’s experience over their personal preferences or aesthetic preferences. You need to be able to put yourself in the player's shoes and design an interface that is easy to use and understand. Furthermore, game UX/UI artists need to strike a balance between aesthetics and usability. While a visually stunning interface may look impressive, it should not come at the cost of usability. Be flexible enough to tweak your designs to ensure that they are both visually appealing and user-friendly.
Adapt to different platforms
Adapting to different platforms is an essential aspect of game UX/UI design, as it ensures that the game's interface is optimized for the specific platform's hardware, input methods, screen size, and user behavior. Each platform has its own set of design guidelines and standards that the game UX/UI artist needs to be familiar with to create a seamless and engaging user experience.
Game UX/UI artists should consider not only the platform resolution, but also the input methods used on each platform, such as mouse and keyboard for PC, gamepad for consoles, touchscreens for mobile, and hand controllers for VR. Each input method has its own set of challenges and opportunities, and the artist needs to ensure that the UX/UI design is optimized for the most intuitive and natural input method for the platform.
Overall, being able to adapt to different platforms is a crucial skill for game UX/UI artists as it ensures that the game's interface is optimized for the specific platform's requirements and enhances the overall player experience.
Be adaptable to changes
Being adaptable to changes is a crucial skill for game UX/UI artists because game development is an iterative and collaborative process that involves multiple decision-makers such as game designers, programmers, artists, and producers. These stakeholders often provide feedback and suggestions for improving the game's UX/UI, which can result in changes to the original design.
Adapting to changes requires a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. To be adaptable, game UX/UI artists should have a deep understanding of the game's mechanics, player needs, and user research. As we already mentioned, they should be proactive in communicating with the rest of the team. They should be open to sharing their ideas and seeking feedback to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals.
Ultimately, being adaptable to changes is not only about making adjustments to designs but also about being able to collaborate effectively with the rest of the team and contribute to the game's success.
Conclusion
identifying a good game UX/UI artist requires a keen eye for detail and a comprehensive understanding of design principles and user-centered design. A good UX/UI artist should have strong technical skills, an eye for aesthetics, and a deep understanding of player behavior and preferences. They should be able to work collaboratively with other members of the game development team, communicate effectively, and be adaptable to changes and different platforms. By considering these key traits, game development companies can identify and hire the best UX/UI artists, ensuring that their games have a seamless and immersive user experience that will engage players and keep them coming back for more.