UX/UI Design Portfolio (Games)
Hey! I’m Nik, and I'm a self-taught designer and polymath with 10+ years of experience working on esports, entertainment, and social products.
During my esports career I worked on several game-design challenges, from quest design and achievements, to player profiles and progression systems, localization, overlays/HUDs, social experiences, and more.
I’m a strong holistic systems thinker with deep expertise in interaction design, accessibility, information architecture, and usability. And I’m passionate about crafting intuitive and engaging experiences by deeply understanding the player's perspective.
Writing
I've also written about game design through a UX lens, exploring different problems that exist in games and ways the player experience can be improved.
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Promoting Better Discovery in Elden Ring's Combat SystemsThe advantages players can create to make Elden Ring significantly easier are staggering. So why are they so hidden? -
Improving Elden Ring's Lock-On ExperienceExploring how negative friction in the lock-on system affects the player experience.
Additional Design Projects
Finally, I've included a few pieces that tackle game design challenges but aren't for games specifically.
Endorsements
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“Having worked with him on design systems, documentation and web-accessibility guidelines, I can’t remember any colleague or friend being as meticulous as Nik. It’s rare to see such attention to detail and semantics as working with Nik infectiously moves you to look one step further.”
Luuk Barten | Lead Front-End Developer -
“Nik takes the extra step to ensure code, design, and functionality is always inclusive. His work is extremely intentional and specific. What’s more, Nik has a history of knowledge far beyond the scope of design and development. He has shown me what to expect in working with an amazing lead or executive designer.”
Indu Reddy | Associate Creative Director -
“Nik is incredibly open minded and curious, and will always give feedback & criticism careful consideration. And his unique insights from his multi-talented background have contributed to creating approaches & solutions we wouldn't have even considered, much less entertained.”
Tiffany Peng | Associate Creative Director -
“Nikolas has the ability to take some of the densest information and be able simplify it for others to understand. He has a unique approach that combines both creative and scientific techniques to things.”
Stacey Yamada | Brand Design Lead