NORA'S ARK
Mobile Game App
Company
LostCTRL
My Role
Product Designer
Tools
Figma Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop
Timeline
2022-2024
Description
A story-driven match-3 game with a creative biome-building system and engaging event mechanics.
Context
Nora’s Ark is a story-driven match-3 puzzle game where players solve engaging puzzles to restore a mystical world. Blending classic match-3 mechanics with a creative biome-building system, the game lets players rescue animals, decorate environments, and uncover a rich narrative. With vibrant visuals, interactive events, and a compelling story, Nora’s Ark offers an immersive experience beyond traditional puzzle games.
Target Audience
Mobile gamers (16-45+) who enjoy puzzle games with progression mechanics.
Design Pillars
Accessible – Easy-to-learn mechanics with intuitive UI.
Creative – Encourages player expression through world-building.
Expressive – Visually engaging with unique art & story-driven gameplay.
Inviting – Immersive UI that supports narrative-driven progression.
My Role in UI/UX Design
As a UI/UX Designer, I focused on creating an accessible, inviting, and immersive player experience by:
• Designing intuitive user flows for both the match-3 gameplay and the decoration meta.
• Creating UI layouts for menus, HUD elements, pop-ups, and in-game overlays.
• Optimizing usability by balancing aesthetic appeal with gameplay clarity.
• Ensuring consistency across different biomes and events, maintaining a cohesive visual identity.
• Collaborating with the art team to align UI visuals with gameplay needs.
• Working closely with developers to ensure smooth UI implementation, optimizing interactions and responsiveness across devices.
• Collaborating with animators to enhance user feedback, integrating dynamic transitions and animations to improve engagement and usability.
Takeaway & Reflection
The app's success was due in part to its user-centric design process. The team conducted extensive research and user testing to ensure that the app met users' needs and preferences, resulting in a highly effective and user-friendly platform.
