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novus
A self-directed project to redesign console UI, inspired by PS5 and Android TV, addressing PS4 and Xbox One's navigation and discoverability issues.
the problems
The main insipiration for the development of Novus came from the problems found in the Xbox One and Playstation 4’s UI.
🙃 Losing Main Focal Point
Users criticised the Xbox One for lacking a clear gaming focus.
Many questioned if it was a gaming console or a TV streaming device, with irrelevant apps like NFL TV and SkyDrive featured prominently.
Console users prefer quick access to their games, but Xbox's system was cluttered with ads and non-gaming content, frustrating many players.
🧭 Navigational Flaw
Xbox One's UI presented navigation challenges. Users found it frustrating to locate downloaded games, which were buried within the "My Games & Apps" tab.
A more intuitive approach would display games directly on the home screen for easy access.
📺 Outdated UI
The PS4's design has become outdated over the years. Users frequently express frustration with Sony's reluctance to update it.
The interface feels cluttered, with all categories crammed onto one page, leading to sluggish performance.
Players have complained about the excessive clicks and scrolling required to navigate the system. Additionally, the limited options for customisation have been a major point of criticism.
the three s
✅ Simplicity
It has to be clean and easy to navigate, with game tiles and a few essential menus. Deeper settings and features should be tucked away, keeping things uncluttered.
The Nintendo Switch's home screen demonstrates this effectively.
✅ Style
The Xbox Series X has a sleek, minimalist design that appeals to a more hardcore gaming audience.
The Nintendo Switch, on the other hand, has a more colourful and playful aesthetic.
✅ Significance
Use visual cues like size, colour, and placement to guide the user's eye. Important information should be prominent and easily scannable.
Streaming services like Spotify use bold fonts and contrasting colours to highlight key information.
visualising novus
This design concept for the Novus home screen reflects the insights gathered during the research phase.
final design
👤 User Centric Design
Instant Access to Last Game Played: The main menu is designed to greet users with the last game they played, providing a sense of continuity and ease of access.
Clear and Intuitive Navigation: The layout is user-friendly, with each element well-spaced, ensuring that the screen doesn't feel cluttered. Users can easily digest the information presented and navigate through different options without confusion.
🌐 Strategic Use of Screen Space
Optimised Layout: The menu makes effective use of the available screen space, ensuring that all essential elements are accessible without overwhelming the user.
Dedicated Categories: Unlike the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One interfaces that mix content types, this menu offers distinct categories. Games have their own section, separate from entertainment apps like Netflix or Spotify, enabling users to quickly find what they’re looking for.
📈 Enhance Conversion Rate Optimisation
The goal was to boost Conversion Rate Optimisation by integrating the store directly into the menu bar as a category.
Unlike the PS4’s UI, where the PS Store is a separate application that takes time to load, placing the Store as a menu category means it's pre-loaded, resulting in faster access and improved performance.
This strategic placement of the Store button allows for easier access, likely increasing store visits.
With digital game purchases becoming the norm, enhancing CRO can significantly benefit the business.
what was solved
The Novus UI project was a focused effort to overcome the shortcomings of previous gaming console interfaces, particularly those of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, by adhering to the principles of Simplicity, Style, and Significance.
👉 Clear and Intuitive Navigation
Simplicity: The Novus main menu is designed to be uncluttered, with well-spaced elements and distinct categories for games and entertainment apps. This clear separation simplifies navigation, helping users quickly find what they need without confusion, addressing the cluttered layout of the PS4 and the complex navigation of the Xbox One.
Significance: By using visual cues like size, colour, and placement, the interface guides the user's attention to important sections, making the navigation process intuitive and efficient.
👉 Improved Performance with Integrated Store
Style: Novus integrates the store directly into the menu bar as a pre-loaded category, blending functionality with a sleek, minimalist design. This reduces the time and effort required to access digital purchases, enhancing the user experience without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.
Significance: The store's strategic placement on the menu bar ensures that it’s prominently accessible, encouraging more visits and potentially boosting conversion rates as digital game purchases become the norm.
👉 Visual Appeal and Responsiveness
Style: Drawing inspiration from PlayStation 5’s UI and Android TV’s UX, Novus combines visual appeal with responsive performance. This approach ensures that the interface remains fresh, engaging, and aesthetically pleasing, unlike the aging and sluggish PS4 UI.
Significance: The use of vibrant visuals and responsive design elements ensures that important information is highlighted, making the interface not only attractive but also highly functional.
👉 Enhanced Gaming Focus
Simplicity: Novus ensures that users are immediately greeted with their last played game upon startup, providing a seamless transition into gameplay. This eliminates unnecessary steps and distractions, keeping the experience straightforward and user-friendly.
