Opdracht 4: Interview an professional

Voor deze opdracht heb ik de UI Designer van Guerrilla Games genaamd Niko Fernandez geinterview. Niet alleen is hij een UI Designer, hij heeft ook vaak gewerkt als Art Director.
Dit was een grote kans voor mij om uit beide kanten iets te leren en ik ben heel erg dankbaar dat Niko tijd heeft gemaakt om mijn vragen te beantwoorden.

Interview:

1. As I read on the internet, a UI designer thinks about the interaction between the user and the machine and tries to make interaction as simple and efficient as possible, so that the user can accomplish his/her goal. My question to you is, does that really defines what a UI designer does, or do you have to do a lot more work (in another field)?

Although erroneous, that is common assumption. In reality, User Interface (UI) Design is mainly focused on the visual aspect of a broader field called User Experience (UX) Design, which comprehends other disciplines like Information Architecture (IA), Interaction Design (IxD) and User Research. Each of these disciplines can be complex enough to require dedicated professionals, but it is common to find professionals accumulating functions in this field.

In the games industry though, the very concept of User Experience is still quite new, compared to other digital industries such as mobile and software development, and therefore mistakenly structured in many companies.

By definition, the UI Designer is usually responsible for defining the iconography, typography, illustrations, colors, layout and animation of the visual elements, in order to create a coherent and responsive interface.

2. As I don't really know a lot about you, I wanted to know what kind of study you did, how long did you study before working and why you chose to become a UI designer/ Art director.

My formation is in Visual Design, which is part of the 4 years long Industrial Design bachelor program, in São Paulo, Brasil. After that, I worked for around 7 years before deciding to do a 2 years long post-graduate course on Interaction Design, to expand my understanding on user experience.

The choice for UI Design happened naturally to me during the transition from traditional Graphic Design to Digital Design (websites, mobile apps). Designing dynamic, interactive digital pieces resulted to be very satisfying and brought many new possibilities to the process.

3. One of the things  I can think about is that a UI designer needs to know a lot about the art and programming itself. Combining those two together to support the usability of the interface is crucial. So what do you think is the most difficult task you have, when you have to combine them together?

Not really. A UI Designer only needs to understand the principles and limitations of the technologies used in the interface, without having to deal with actual programming. I don’t ever code anything myself, but I do work closely with dedicated developers to ensure the solutions I come up with are in fact feasible.

Even though it is possible to find designers that are able to code or developers that are able to design, it is rarely the case those professionals can actually excel in any of the two fields. Designing and programming are two completely different activities that require very distinctive skills, training and mindset.

4. As UI differs from hardware such as smartphones, computer and consoles, what is the important point to every hardware's interface that differs from the other interfaces?

It is important to consider the purpose of the interface and the context in which it will be used. A “to-do list” app on a smartphone, for instance, needs a simple and objective interface to assist the user remembering of specific tasks while carrying on with other daily activities. A console action-rpg game, on the other hand, can have a more elaborate interface, with more details and animations to convey the story and the atmosphere of the game, since the user is probably seated in his home and unlikely performing other activities other than playing the game.

5. On your site, you stated that you have 10 years experience as a Art Director and UI designer. And I would like to know what your drive is to work so long and what is your passion for your work?

I believe the interest in visual arts and graphics, combined with the joy of finding a good solution to a problem, can be a very powerful thing. Also, in dynamic industries such as game development or mobile applications, with new technologies and possibilities constantly being launched in the market, the drive can also come from continuously learning and expanding your set of skills.

6. How did you developed yourself in the 10 years you worked and what did you think you improved the most?

I was initially involved with Graphic Design (print media), Branding and typography, working at various design studios and advertising agencies. With the growth of the internet as a media, I started designing websites and from there it was a natural extension to design mobile app interfaces. Only recently, a bit more than 2 year ago, I started in the games industry when joined Guerrilla Games. 

7. Have you ever worked independent? If so, what are the difference in working in a company and independent?

Yes, I have co-founded and directed a design studio in São Paulo for over 4 years. It was maybe the most valuable experience in my whole professional life, giving me a better understanding of both the business and the creative process as a whole, being able to influence parts of the project that I never had access to when working for a company. On the other hand, working for a company allows me to focus specifically on my craft and work on bigger projects. 

8. Do you have any tips for me to become a good game designer/artist?

Keep your eyes sharp. Surround and feed yourself with inspiring artworks, films, architecture, objects, people and ideas, every day. Be critic about the input you receive from your environment, and by doing so, notice your sense of aesthetics filtering and improving the quality in the work you output back to the world.

Na deze interview, kreeg ik veel meer inspiratie om een Game designer/artist te worden dan ooit te voren.
Zoals hij zei vind ik de combinatie van visual arts en nieuwe manieren van een probleem oplossen heel erg krachtig en leuk om te doen. Ik zou zelf nu meer studies gaan doen over UI design en Graphic Design om beter te kunnen begrijpen hoe dat allemaal werkt. Ik wil mijzelf graag verbreden in deze opleiding om een hele goede designer/artist te worken.