U.GG Case Study

IOS Design for enhancing user experience

My Role:

Team Lead, UX/UI Designer, Presenter

Teammate:

Aria Wang

Chang Su

Tools:

Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Principle, Miro

Duration:

4 weeks

Overview

Considering the increasing use of digital games in normal life, it is necessary to look closely at the content of digital games. There is a considerable lack of professional analytics platforms in the market with complex datasets.

We designed the U.GG (a platform that provides champion and summoner stats for League of Legends players. Currently, U.GG officials only provide PC version for players, no mobile applications have been developed yet. ) APP to present the game stats while providing insights through a simpler, more interactive interface.

An ideal game data analysis application should have features like assessing the content of each digital game and providing players with clear guidance or standards for choosing games that fit their needs and game experiences. The APP would be more accessible to new players who want to learn the game or boost their game experience.

How might we leverage U.GG to help newcomers who just begin playing LOL to quickly understand the game?

Jump to Solution

Design Highlight

Filter Champions by Initials and Positions

Up-to-date Patch Notes

Start a Private Chat and Invite Your Friends

Visualize Player Performance

Individual Interest Based-Game Match Dataset

Background

U.GG is a powerful tool for League of Legends players who want to take their game to the next level. With advanced analytics and data-driven insights, U.GG provides players with the tools they need to improve their gameplay, climb the ranks, and achieve their goals.

Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting out in League of Legends, U.GG has something to offer you. With features like real-time champion stats, win rates, and item builds, U.GG gives you the information you need to make smart decisions and maximize your performance.

My team designed the U.GG mobile application to provide the user with all the features and tools available on the U.GG official website, but with the added convenience of being accessible on the mobile device.

1. How to avoid player lose motivation to play due to a lack of progress tracking and insights?

2. How to make data-driven analysis mobile application more accessible to player?

Initial Understanding

Secondary Research - Reviews & Feedbacks from real-world users

"I love the tier lists on U.GG! They're so accurate and up-to-date, and they help me stay ahead of the competition."

"U.GG has helped me improve my gameplay so much! The detailed information on each champion and item has given me a better understanding of the game, and the statistics have helped me identify areas for improvement."

"U.GG is a fantastic resource for anyone who wants to take their gameplay to the next level. The champion guides are comprehensive and informative, and the real-time statistics help me stay up-to-date on the latest trends and strategies."

"I wish U.GG had more features, like a community forum or the ability to connect with other players. It would be great to have a way to discuss strategies and connect with like-minded players."

"The search function on U.GG could be improved. It can be difficult to find specific information or players, especially if you don't know the exact name or spelling."

"The champion guides are really detailed, but they can also be overwhelming. It would be helpful if there were more concise summaries or beginner-friendly guides available."

Understand the User

To better understand the problems and the overall user experience and current concerns of similar game analysis platforms, we conducted 10 separate interviews.

Age: 15 - 35
Occupation: Students, White & Blue-collar workers, Professional Esports players
Education: High School +
Gender : Male & Female

Objective:

Whether users like this kind of game data analysis processing and finally reasonable categorization of the experience

Number of Participants:

10

Demographics:

7male 3 female from age 21-28

Result

10/10

Had been used similar LOL data analysis platforms, mostly are PC version

4/10

Would love to know and to explore more people with similar interest on game analysis platforms

8/10

struggle with interpreting the data and understanding how to apply it to their gameplay

3/10

Information overload. There is often a vast amount of data and information available, which can make it difficult to filter out the most important or relevant insights

6/10

Worried about data bias. The data may be skewed towards certain regions, champions, or game modes, which could impact the accuracy of the analysis.

User Journey Map

We synthesized the interview findings into a user journey map describing the whole experience of beginners or players who are already familiar with data analysis platforms.

Findings

After conducting research & interview into the use of data analysis platforms, several key findings have emerged.

Most users show a confident attitude to game data analysis platforms have the potential to be powerful tools for improving gameplay and strategy in online games, by providing real-time data & analysis, to help players identify areas for improvement and optimize their gameplay experience.
Users are more focusing on the accuracy and reliability of game data, providing clear and concise insights with a more user-friendly UI. Data may be skewed toward certain champions or regions, which could impact the accuracy of the analysis.

User Needs Summary

We synthesized the interview findings into a user journey map describing the whole experience of beginners or players who are already familiar with data analysis platforms.

Players need access to champion-specific data in order to optimize their gameplay for the specific champions they play.

Players need access to community features that allow them to connect with other players, share insights and strategies, and collaborate on improving their gameplay.

Prioritize data accuracy and reliability, provide clear and concise insights, offer user-friendly interfaces, and allow for customization to meet the unique needs of each player is needed.

Provide comprehensive coverage of all champions and ensure that data is available for even the less popular champions.

Ideation & Design

Below are the simplified design objectives for game data analysis platforms based on the user needs and pain points identified.

Transparent data
Allow players to focus on specific areas of the game
Facilitate player collaboration and sharing

Provide personalized insights based on each player's play-style and preferences.
Allow players to track their progress over time

Design Interation

Based on our research and understanding of U.GG, we decided to follow the current PC structure and the layer of the common functions, and add the chatting, independently browsing the patch notes, edit user profile, etc., features as a different mode for the existing interface.

We generated several design drafts for the core flows, seeking early feedback from friends and co-workers. Additionally, we experimented with various design solutions for key features, conducting user tests to inform our final decision. Further design explorations will be showcased at the end of the page.

High-Fidelity Design

Drawing from our design exploration and iterative process, we developed high-fidelity design screens that specifically address the pain points and unmet user needs uncovered during our user research. Each flow and feature has be carefully crafted to provide effective solutions and enhance the user experience.

LOL Champions Search

Discover the best builds for every champion.

Reflection:

Throughout the process of designing this U.GG APP, I gained a valuable lesson that reshaping a product is far more than just adding features. It's a process that requires a deep understanding of the existing product's objectives and design philosophy.

One of the crucial insights I acquired was the importance of delving into the core goals and design rationale behind the original product. It's tempting to dive straight into feature enhancements, but without grasping the essence of what the product aims to achieve, we risk losing sight of its fundamental purpose. It's like trying to renovate a house without understanding its architectural design and intended functionality.

The ability to scrutinize the details is undoubtedly essential. However, what proved equally critical was adopting a holistic perspective of the product. This broader view allowed me to comprehend the underlying design intentions that guided the original creation. Understanding the 'why' behind each feature and design choice enabled me to make informed decisions about what needed improvement and what could remain untouched.

In summary, this project has taught me that effective redesign requires a balance between in-depth analysis and a holistic understanding of the product's design intent. It's not just about changing things; it's about making meaningful improvements that align with the original vision. Armed with these insights, I am better equipped to approach future design challenges with a more discerning and strategic mindset.

Solution #1