Plunders & Platters

Plunders & Platters is a pirate-themed cooking game made in 4 days for GMTK Game Jam 2024.

Role

UX/UI Designer

Platform

Windows

Duration

4 Days

Design Objectives

Enhance User Experience: Create an intuitive and engaging interface that complements the game's pirate cooking adventure theme.

Visual Consistency: Ensure UI elements align with the game's aesthetic, using cohesive color schemes and typography.
Accessibility: Design controls and interfaces that are easily navigable for players of varying skill levels.

UX Strategies & Implementation

User-Centered Design: Conducted quick user testing sessions to gather feedback and iterate on UI elements.

Information Architecture: Structured menus and interfaces to allow easy access to game features and information.
Feedback Mechanisms: Integrated visual and auditory cues to provide immediate feedback on player actions.

UI Design Elements

Main Menu: Designed a thematic main menu with clear navigation options, incorporating pirate-themed visuals.

In-Game HUD: Developed a heads-up display that presents health, inventory, and objectives without cluttering the screen.
Cooking Mini-Game Interface: Crafted an interactive interface for the rhythm-based cooking mini-game, ensuring responsiveness and clarity.

Design Objectives

Enhance User Experience: Create an intuitive and engaging interface that complements the game's pirate cooking adventure theme.

Visual Consistency: Ensure UI elements align with the game's aesthetic, using cohesive color schemes and typography.
Accessibility: Design controls and interfaces that are easily navigable for players of varying skill levels.

UX Strategies & Implementation

User-Centered Design: Conducted quick user testing sessions to gather feedback and iterate on UI elements.

Information Architecture: Structured menus and interfaces to allow easy access to game features and information.
Feedback Mechanisms: Integrated visual and auditory cues to provide immediate feedback on player actions.

UI Design Elements

Main Menu: Designed a thematic main menu with clear navigation options, incorporating pirate-themed visuals.

In-Game HUD: Developed a heads-up display that presents health, inventory, and objectives without cluttering the screen.
Cooking Mini-Game Interface: Crafted an interactive interface for the rhythm-based cooking mini-game, ensuring responsiveness and clarity.

Tools & Technologies

Design Software: Utilized tools like Adobe After Effects and Figma for wireframing and prototyping.

Game Engine Integration: Collaborated with developers to implement UI elements within the game's engine, ensuring functionality and performance.
Asset Management: Organized and optimized graphical assets for efficient loading and rendering.

Outcomes & Feedback

User Reception: Received positive feedback for the intuitive and visually appealing UI design.

Performance Metrics: Achieved smooth UI performance with minimal impact on game loading times.
Iterative Improvements: Post-jam version included refinements based on player feedback, enhancing overall user experience.

Reflections

Designing the UI for Plunders & Platters was a fast-paced challenge that pushed me to make quick, effective design decisions. With only 4 days, I focused on creating clear, engaging interfaces that matched the game's pirate theme. The experience taught me how to prioritize usability, stay adaptable, and work efficiently in a collaborative jam environment.