
UI/UX Design System
Comprehensive interface design for Tower Lab's complex physics-based tower defense mechanics
Design Challenge
Tower Lab required a UI system that could elegantly present complex physics-based interactions while maintaining clarity and accessibility. The challenge was to create an interface that didn't overwhelm new players but provided depth for experienced ones.
Solution
I designed a modular UI system with the following key features:
Information Hierarchy
- Primary actions prominently displayed
- Secondary information available on hover
- Contextual tutorials that appear when needed
- Progressive disclosure of advanced features
Visual Language
- Consistent iconography across all interfaces
- Color coding for different tower types and states
- Clear visual feedback for player actions
- Accessibility-friendly contrast ratios
Design Process
The UI went through 15+ iterations based on playtesting feedback, with each iteration focusing on reducing cognitive load while maintaining feature completeness.
Wireframing
Started with low-fidelity wireframes to establish layouts and user flows without being distracted by visual polish.
Prototyping
Created interactive prototypes in Unity to test actual player interactions and refine based on real gameplay scenarios.
Implementation
Worked closely with engineering to ensure the final implementation matched the design vision while meeting performance requirements.
Results
The final UI system successfully balances complexity and clarity:
- New player onboarding completion rate: 85%
- Reduced time-to-first-action by 40% compared to initial designs
- Positive feedback on interface clarity in community surveys
Key Takeaways
- Physics-based games require extra care in visual feedback
- Contextual help is more effective than front-loaded tutorials
- Iteration based on real playtesting is invaluable