UX Design Mood Boards and UX Design October 30, 2024 by Gary Cooke | Leave a Comment Creating a mood board is essential for setting the tone and direction of any design project. For UX and product design, it becomes a collaborative guide that aligns both the designer and stakeholders on a shared vision while staying focused on user needs and problem-solving. Here’s a step-by-step guide to building an effective mood board […] Read more »
Game Design UX Design First Impressions in Games is all about the UX October 30, 2024 by Gary Cooke | Leave a Comment Why First Impressions Matter for Free-to-Play (F2P) Games First impressions are critical for F2P games as they significantly influence a player’s decision to stay engaged. In the competitive world of free-to-play games, users can enter and exit games with minimal investment, meaning developers must capture their attention quickly to minimize player churn. Here’s an analysis […] Read more »
UX Design Business Needs & UX Design October 30, 2024 by Gary Cooke | Leave a Comment Integrating Business Strategy into the UX Design Process To design successful digital interfaces, a balance between user needs and business goals is crucial. User experience (UX) is often perceived as user-centric, but to make an impact, UX must be business-driven. This article explores how a Business-Driven UX Process can create a seamless connection between business […] Read more »
Game Design UX Design User Centered Design in Interactive Narrative Design October 30, 2024 by Gary Cooke | Leave a Comment In game development, the question often arises: are games a storytelling medium? Some industry voices argue that games shouldn’t be viewed as vessels for narrative. But as a game designer deeply involved in crafting user experience, I firmly believe that games are indeed narrative vehicles. The role of the designer is to create not only […] Read more »
UX Design Web Design Why UI & UX Designers Should Understand Flexbox and CSS Grid October 30, 2024 by Gary Cooke | Leave a Comment Many designers are familiar with responsive design, often framed around a column-based grid with fixed breakpoints for different screen sizes. But modern CSS layout techniques, particularly Flexbox and CSS Grid, allow for more flexibility, moving beyond traditional grid systems to create adaptable designs. Understanding these tools doesn’t mean designers need to code; it’s about improving […] Read more »
UX Design The HEART Framework: Measuring UX Success with Purpose October 30, 2024 by Gary Cooke | Leave a Comment Design changes are often accompanied by heated debates and subjective arguments. Statements like, “I don’t think this will work” or “I don’t like it” are common in design discussions, and while A/B testing might seem like the solution, it’s crucial to first know what metrics truly matter. The HEART framework, developed by Google, helps bridge […] Read more »
Game Design UX Design Using Personas to Understand Player Behavior October 30, 2024 by Gary Cooke | Leave a Comment Watching someone play a game you’ve worked on can be a rollercoaster. You might think, “Why won’t they use that weapon I designed?” or “Why aren’t they reading the story text?” Frustrations like these are common, but there’s a solution that could transform this experience from painful to productive: embracing personas. Personas, a concept introduced […] Read more »
UX Design Analytics & UX Design October 30, 2024 by Gary Cooke | Leave a Comment Using Google Analytics as a Powerful UX Tool Google Analytics (GA) is typically thought of as a tool for measuring web traffic and marketing performance, but its potential as a UX tool is often overlooked. With a user-friendly interface, extensive data insights, and minimal developer intervention after initial setup, GA can provide invaluable support for […] Read more »
UX Design Building a UX Strategy That’s User Centered October 30, 2024 by Gary Cooke | Leave a Comment Building a User-Centered UX Strategy: Essential Tools and Frameworks Before diving into the design phase with prototypes, sitemaps, or wireframes, it’s critical to ask the right questions to shape a product aligned with users’ needs and business goals. Effective UX design puts the user at the core of every decision. This user-centered approach improves interactions […] Read more »
Game Design UX Design Thinking about the UX of Mini Maps in Games October 30, 2024 by Gary Cooke | Leave a Comment Designing and Placing the Mini Map: Guidelines for Game Developers The mini map is a staple in many game genres, providing players with essential information to navigate and interact with the game world. But where should it be placed on the HUD, and what factors should guide its design? This article explores conventions and best […] Read more »
