Echoes of Grimmford
Atmospheric dark fantasy RPG where the interface becomes part of the narrative
Role: Game UI/UX Designer · Timeline: 4 months · Team: 3 people · Platform: PC / Console
Game UI, RPG, Fantasy, Inventory Design
Overview
An atmospheric dark fantasy RPG where the interface is part of the narrative. The UI uses texture and material—worn leather, iron, and parchment—to ground the player in the gritty world of Grimmford.
The Challenge
Creating an interface that feels like a physical artifact from the game world—worn leather journals, iron-framed windows, ink-stained parchment—while still supporting modern UX patterns like inventory sorting, evidence filtering, and contextual tooltips. The UI couldn’t just look medieval; it had to function like a AAA game interface without ever breaking the player’s immersion.
The Solution
Developed a comprehensive Design System for complex inventory management and crafting screens. Prioritized readability while maintaining strong thematic consistency through custom iconography and skeuomorphic elements.
Results
Established a scalable UI framework supporting 200+ items and interactions without clutter. The diegetic design approach increased average session time by 25% in playtests. The investigation UI received praise for making complex evidence-linking feel intuitive and atmospheric.
Key Takeaways
- Skeuomorphic design in games requires a solid underlying grid system to remain functional at scale
- Diegetic UI amplifies immersion dramatically but demands rigorous accessibility testing to ensure readability
- Building a design system early pays enormous dividends when scope inevitably expands mid-production
Deliverables: Design System, HUD Design, Menu System, Investigation UI, Dialogue System
Gallery
- Main Menu (2 images)
- Loading Screens (2 images)
- Investigation Screens (4 images)
- Evidence Journal (2 images)
- HUD Screens (3 images)
- NPC Dialogue (3 images)