Good and Bad Interface Design Examples

Updated: Apr 04, 2024 By: Marios

Interface design is key in UI/UX and game development. It's not just about the story or game mechanics but also how players find their way around the game. 

Good interface design makes a game more engaging by making sure players can easily use and enjoy it.

Let’s start with the fact that a great game has an interface that easily connects with the player. UI/UX game design isn't just for looks; it's about making an experience that leads players through the game smoothly. 

A good interface improves the game by making it more fun to explore and keeping players feeling in control.

• UI deals with the game’s look and how players use game controls like buttons and menus.
• UX focuses on making sure the player has a good experience from beginning to end.

Designing for Beginners

When making games for beginners, the key is to make things simple but still interesting. This means making it easy to navigate: new players should be able to understand how to use the game's controls easily. This can be done by keeping the design simple, using easy-to-recognize icons, and giving short tutorials that help without taking away from the fun of the game.

When players do something, like clicking a button, the game should show that the action worked. This helps players know they're doing the right thing.

Creating a game that is welcoming to beginners but also deep enough for experienced players is a challenge. The goal is to find a good balance, making the game enjoyable for everyone. Good design can help new players feel at home in the gaming world and make their experience better.

Principles of Good Interface Design

In game development, focusing on the player's experience is key. Good interface design is essential for making a game enjoyable rather than frustrating. The right design principles guide us in creating effective interfaces.

Clarity and Simplicity: Essentials for Easy-to-Use Designs

Good design starts with being clear and simple. This means making game interfaces that are straightforward and easy for players to use. Players should easily understand how to navigate the game, which lets them focus on playing rather than figuring out controls.

• Visual Order: Creating a visual order helps players see what's most important and makes it easier for them to know where to focus.
• Keeping it Simple: Complex menus or too many details on the screen can overwhelm players. Simple designs help make the game more enjoyable.

Consistency and Familiarity: Making Intuitive Games

Games should feel familiar to players from the start by being consistent in their design.

Using the same colors, fonts, and button styles throughout the game makes it feel unified. This consistency means that once players learn what certain elements mean, they can use this knowledge throughout the game.

Including design elements that players have seen before can help make new games easier to get into. It’s about balancing new and innovative designs with elements that guide players.

Creating Games for Everyone

Great games are accessible to players of all abilities. Making game interfaces accessible is crucial for reaching a wider audience and ensuring everyone can enjoy the game.

Features like changing text size, modes for colorblind players, and customizable controls can make games more accessible.

Getting input from players with disabilities can reveal issues that might not be obvious. This approach helps in making games that are welcoming to all.

Following these principles helps in creating games that are not only good to look at but also engaging and open to a broad audience. 

Next, we’ll look at examples to see how good and bad designs apply these principles.

Characteristics of Bad Design

In game design, understanding what leads to bad design is as important as knowing good design principles. By looking at common mistakes, developers can learn to avoid them, improving their games.

Recognizing common pitfalls can prevent a game from becoming frustrating for players. Here’re a few moments:

• Cluttered Interfaces: Too much information or too many controls on one screen can confuse players, making it difficult for them to know where to look or what to do.
  
• Mismatched Design: A mix of different styles, fonts, and button designs can make the game confusing and break the player's immersion, making the game feel disconnected.
  
• Not Listening to Players: Creating a game without considering player feedback can lead to a game that doesn't meet the players' needs or expectations.

Problems of Ignoring User Experience

Ignoring user experience can lead to players leaving the game, giving bad reviews, and limiting the game's accessibility.

1. Players Leave: If players get frustrated or lost early in the game, they might stop playing.
2. Bad Reviews: Players often share their experiences. Bad design can lead to negative feedback, affecting the game's success.
3. Excludes Players: Not thinking about different player needs can make the game inaccessible to many, reducing its potential audience.

Good Design vs. Bad Interface Design: Examples

Looking at examples helps understand the impact of design decisions.

Examples of Successes and Failures

• Good Example: Journey is praised for its simple design and natural cues that guide players without overwhelming them with instructions.
• Bad Example: The original release of No Man's Sky was criticized for its complicated inventory system and unclear goals, showing that poor UX can hinder even the most ambitious games.

Why Small Details Are Important

Small design elements can significantly impact how enjoyable a game is.

• Touch Controls: In mobile games, controls need to be big enough and spaced out to avoid mistakes. Badly designed controls can ruin a game.

If a game requires information from players, the process should be clear and easy. Confusing forms can disrupt the game and frustrate players.

The Role of Visuals: Contrast, Alignment, and Icons

Visual elements are crucial for a clear and accessible interface.

Making sure text stands out against the background and elements are aligned makes the game look professional and easy to read.

Game Icons: Icons should be clear and consistent. Confusing icons can make the game harder to play because players have to guess what they mean. This is especially true for iPhones and Androids, so mobile game icon design is especially important.

By looking at what works and what doesn't, developers can learn valuable lessons about interface design. The goal is to create interfaces that draw players in and provide a seamless experience from the start.

Learning from Bad UI Design Examples

Looking at examples of poor design can teach us a lot about how to improve our own work. Let's dive into some notorious bad UI design examples in mobile apps and websites, and see what lessons we can apply to game development.

Bad Mobile App Design

Mobile apps often make mistakes that hurt the user experience due to their small screens and touch-based navigation.

Trying to fit too much into one screen can confuse users, making it hard to find what they need and increasing accidental inputs.

Apps with different navigation styles in various sections make users relearn how to move around, leading to frustration and potentially causing them to stop using the app.

1. Tip: Make sure buttons and other touch targets are big enough and placed far enough apart.
2. Tip: Use consistent icons and colors to help users understand how to use the app.

Poorly Designed Websites

Websites with bad design teach us the importance of making designs that focus on the user. Issues often include:

Low Contrast and Hard-to-Read Text: Websites that don't use contrast well can be difficult to read, which is especially bad for users with visual impairments.

Not Responsive: Websites that don't adjust to different screen sizes provide a bad experience on mobile devices, where a lot of web browsing happens.

• Tip: Make your website work well on all devices with responsive design.
• Tip: Use high-contrast colors to make text easier to read.

UI/UX Mistakes in Games

The lessons from mobile apps and websites also apply to game development, where similar issues can spoil the gaming experience.

Games with complicated menus can be off-putting, especially for new players. Making interfaces simpler can make the game more welcoming.

• If games don't consistently show or sound feedback for player actions, it can make players feel disconnected and unsure if the game is responding to them.

1. Tip: Simplify menus and focus on the essentials to avoid overwhelming players.
2. Tip: Use clear feedback for player actions to help make the game feel more interactive and engaging.

By looking at these examples of bad UI design in different areas, game developers can see what to avoid. Keeping things simple, consistent, and responsive not only improves the player experience but also helps create more immersive and enjoyable games.

Navigating UI Challenges in Gaming

A common issue in mobile gaming is touch targets that are too small or packed too closely together. This can lead to accidental selections and frustrate players.

• Tip: Make sure touch targets are at least 44×44 pixels in size and spaced well apart. This makes your game more playable on touch devices by reducing mistakes.

The Impact of Confusing Forms

Forms are crucial at different points in a game, like signing up, making purchases, or giving feedback. Poorly designed forms can turn players away.

• Tip: Keep forms simple, asking only for necessary information. Make it clear which fields are required and provide instant feedback on errors or successful submissions to keep players engaged and informed.

Low Contrast and Poor Alignment

Visual appeal doesn't always equal functionality. Text that blends into the background or misaligned elements can make your game look chaotic and unprofessional.

• Tip: Follow accessibility guidelines for text contrast to ensure all players can read your game's text easily. Use grid systems for alignment to give your game a polished look.

The Art of Iconography in Games

Effective iconography is key in game design, serving as quick visual cues to players. However, poorly designed icons can confuse and disrupt gameplay.

Challenges in Icon Design

Icons that are too complex, inconsistent, or unclear can make it hard for players to understand their meaning, potentially ruining the gaming experience.

• Tip: Keep icons simple and recognizable, ensuring they convey their purpose at a glance and maintain a consistent style throughout the game.

Tips for Effective Icon Design

• Simplicity: Design straightforward icons without unnecessary details.
• Consistency: Use a uniform style across all icons for a cohesive look.
• Clarity: Make sure each icon's purpose is obvious to avoid confusion.

Creating Icons Guide

Determine what each icon needs to communicate.

Sketch various ideas to find the best way to represent each icon's function. Pick the most effective designs and simplify them for clarity. Check if potential users can easily understand the icons. Use a consistent set of design rules for all icons to integrate them smoothly into your game.

By tackling these UI challenges and mastering iconography, developers can greatly improve the gaming experience, making games more enjoyable and accessible to a wider audience.

Mobile Game Icon Design

In the competitive world of mobile games, an icon acts as your game's first impression, playing a crucial role in attracting potential players.

The design of your game's icon greatly influences its visibility and appeal. A compelling icon captures attention and communicates your game's essence quickly, encouraging people to download and try it.

Icons that spark curiosity or excitement can quickly connect with viewers.

Effective icons are clear and noticeable, even when small, ensuring they catch the eye among many others in app stores.

Designing Impactful Game Icons

Creating a game icon is a fine mix of artistry, simplicity, and branding. Here's how to make yours stand out:

• Keep It Simple: A clear, uncluttered design means your icon looks good at any size. Focus on a single, impactful element that represents your game well.
• Stay True to Your Game: The icon should mirror your game's visual style and mood, setting the right expectations and strengthening your brand.
• Choose a Strong Focus: Use a character, item, or scene that's central to your game experience as the icon's focal point to pique interest.
• Bright Colors Work Best: Use bold, contrasting colors to draw attention, but make sure they match your game's overall style and mood.
• Iterate Based on Feedback: Create several icon designs and test them out. A/B testing can help identify which one most effectively attracts players.
• Update Regularly: Refresh your icon for game updates or special events to keep your presence dynamic and invite players back.

Your game's icon is more than just a thumbnail; it's a key marketing tool that can significantly influence your game's success. By crafting an icon that's visually appealing and true to the game it represents, you can make a strong first impression that turns viewers into players. This small graphic is a promise of the adventure and fun your game provides.

Transforming Poor Design into Great UX

Improving a game's interface to make it more user-friendly and visually appealing is crucial for enhancing player experience and satisfaction. Here’s how to turn bad design into good:

Practical Tips for Game Developers

Use surveys, beta testing, and forums to gather player feedback. This direct insight is essential for spotting UX issues and areas needing improvement.

Make sure your interface is easy to navigate. A good-looking design that's hard to use can turn players away. Usability testing is key to ensuring your game is accessible to everyone.

Design needs can change, so be ready to update your designs regularly. Staying current is vital for keeping your players engaged.

Tools and Resources for UI/UX Improvement

• Sketch and Adobe XD: Great for prototyping and UI design, allowing for quick testing of different interface ideas.
• InVision: Useful for sharing prototypes and gathering feedback, making collaborative design work smoother.
• UXPin: Supports the entire design process, from wireframing to detailed prototyping, with integrated feedback options.

Improving Your Game's Interface

Identifying bad design and applying good design principles is essential. Focusing on user experience, simplicity, consistency, and accessibility can significantly improve how players interact with your game.

Always prioritize the player's experience in your design. Use feedback to continually refine your interface. Keep learning about UI/UX trends and be open to experimenting.

By adopting these practices, you can improve your game's interface, making it more engaging and keeping players invested.

FAQs on Interface Design

1. How crucial is UI/UX in mobile gaming?

It's extremely important. Good UI/UX directly impacts usability and player satisfaction, playing a big role in a game's success.

2. Can interface design affect player retention?

Yes. A user-friendly and engaging interface can greatly increase player retention by making the game more enjoyable and easier to navigate.

3. What's the best method to test a game's interface?

User testing, such as A/B testing, is very effective. Feedback from real users offers valuable insights for improvement.

4. How often should you update a game's interface?

It depends on the game, but regularly reviewing and updating the interface is important for addressing usability issues and keeping the design modern.

5. Resources for developers new to UI/UX?

There are many online resources and communities available, including the UX Design Institute and the Interaction Design Foundation, offering courses and support for improving UI/UX skills.