Ark Nova
Role
UI/UX Designer
Client
Dire Wolf
Timeline
April 2024 - June 2025
Overview
Ark Nova is one of the most complex modern strategy board games, with dense information, multiple resource systems, and a constantly evolving game state.
As the UI/UX Designer, I was responsible for information hierarchy, interaction patterns, visual clarity, and creating a layout that could support large amounts of data on small screens without overwhelming the user.
The Problem
High Information Density on a Small Screen
Ark Nova involves dozens of icons, actions, and interlocking systems, which makes tracking the game state difficult, especially for new players.
The biggest UX challenge was presenting dense information on a desktop or mobile screen in a way that felt readable and approachable. Users needed to quickly find what they were looking for with as few clicks as possible.
Process
Understanding the Key Elements
I began by breaking down the game into core user tasks: what information players look up most often, which elements they reference repeatedly, and which areas usually cause confusion. This helped me create an information hierarchy that prioritized speed and clarity.
Iteration and Testing
I then explored several layout options through sketches and wireframes, testing arrangements that grouped related data together and minimized scrolling. Key UX strategies included:
Progressive disclosure to avoid overwhelming users with all details at once
Modular panels that could collapse or expand
Iconography refinement to improve recognition at small sizes
Consistent interaction patterns across screens for smoother navigation
Throughout the process, I reviewed player pain points from existing discussions, watched gameplay sessions, and noted player discussions in online forums.
Result
Information, Organized and Accessible
The final design presents Ark Nova’s dense systems in a way that feels approachable and intuitive. The number one desire players had was to obscure as little information as possible. What I achieved allows players to quickly navigate between major categories, find key information in fewer steps, and understand complex details through improved visual hierarchy.
The app significantly reduces the need for in-game rule lookups, lowers cognitive load, and supports smoother, more enjoyable gameplay. The design is clean, scalable, and structured in a way that can support future expansions or additional reference tools.
