GUI - Game interfaces

[grahamhowe]

Hi

Im a graphic designer, and for the last 5 years have been working with interactive and web medias.

I'm keen to make a go at getting into the gaming industry as a GUI designer.

First off id like to ask a few questions about gaming GUI's:

What medium is best to create GUI's, Flash, Aftereffects or simply photoshop work mixed with xml etc?

Is their anyone here inj the forums who has made it into the industry as a designer, creating GUI's and could offer advise?

Thanks for your time...

Graham

[RoadMaster]

By "the industry" do you mean indie games or triple A titles or casual games or what?

Either way, I think the main points for most artistic positions is to have a very strong portfolio. You have to prove to your possible employers that you have the skills to do the job. If people can't see what you've done already, and what you have to bring to the table, you won't get hired.

I'd say for most projects using whatever graphics software you're most comfortable with would be appropriate, although as we make the move to 3d being more and more accessible, we may be starting to see user interfaces gearing towards more 3d effects (consider all the new operating systems which are using graphics hardware to do window effects etc) and thus it may be advantageous to learn some 3d modelling programs as well (and it can sometimes be helpful when doing 2d work anyway). Flash.... is nice.... but it's often the case that games aren't created in flash, and if they are, you'll probably have to work very closely with the developers when creating flash interfaces for a game.

[luggage]

Quite a tricky subject as it's so specialised. Developing a GUI in flash would be fine but I'm not sure how many people would have the technology to use it. I'd say be as flexible as you can possibly be.

If I was to hire someone to design a GUI ideally there'd be a mock up done in Flash (or similar) to see how it all works. Once everything is agreed upon then the assets (bmps, pngs, fonts etc) are provided so it can be built up to follow the original Flash design.

That is unless I was just to use a GUI written in Flash but I haven't given that a try yet.

[grahamhowe]

Im building up my portfolio at the moment and hope to have it online soon. I know its a specialised area of the games industry so i've given myself the time to learn 3d max and maya too.

Luggage, you said that you'd possibly 'wireframe' up a demo GUI and test it. My work methodolgy uses wireframing to test interfaces and accessability.

Maybe having a portfolio with 2d visuals of interfaces and then flash interactive demos would be the right approach.

thanks for the replies...

[Jay_Kyburz]

Graham,

We may be looking for a new GUI designer here at Irrational Games in Boston. We are currently working on an X-Box 360 game called Bioshock.

We work with the Unreal Engine but have integrated Flash for the UI.

If you think you are ready, feel free to send your folio and resume in.

Regards,

Jay Kyburz

[Sirrus]

Jay - any idea if Irrational will be hiring for an associate producer any time soon?

[Jay_Kyburz]

Don't know about AP's but I know we have a bunch of testing jobs coming up. It's not very exciting but probably the best way to get a start if you don't have much experience.

[grahamhowe]

Jay_Kyburz, thanks ever so much for the offer to submit my work.

At present i'm moving from NZ back to the UK. From then on i will be working within the design industry and also solely committing myself to developing GUI concepts for my portfolio.

I'm keen, so keen to get into gaming. I'll keep your offer in mind for the future.

Jay, can i ask you what particualr elements in a portfolio you would look for for a GUI position, and would you also like an applicant to have other skills such as texture/graphics on offer?

Thanks again.

[Jay_Kyburz]

Just make sure it has two or three kick ass UI's. Don't include anything that you think wouldn't actually ship in a modern console game. Show a variety of styles. For example, a Sci-Fi UI that uses vector art primarily, then perhaps a fantasy UI that incorporates more textured elements such as stone or paper or whatever.

Anyhow, I'm no expert.