CASE STUDY:
Kūbs:
Integrated Game Development Ecosystem
Role: Lead Product Designer
Timeline: ~8 Months
OVERVIEW
Before Kūbs, game development was fragmented, with studios juggling disconnected tools, complex workflows, and inefficient collaboration across multiple platforms. Project management solutions lacked game-specific features, while development environments required manual integrations that slowed progress. Studios—whether indie or AAA—faced scalability issues, versioning conflicts, and resource bottlenecks. Recognizing this gap, we built Kūbs to provide a unified, modular platform that streamlines collaboration, automates workflows, and integrates essential tools in a way that no one had dared to tackle before.
THE OUTCOME
The cohesive design system ensured seamless navigation across project tracking, Kolony management, and AI-driven insights. Kūbs received strong early feedback for its clarity, flexibility, and ability to reduce development friction, making complex workflows more intuitive.
DISCOVERY
EMPATHIZE & UNDERSTAND
User Interviews
User Personas
STATED NEEDS
Users consistently expressed a need for a centralized, intuitive platform that simplifies game development workflows without adding unnecessary complexity. They wanted seamless integrations with existing tools like Unity, Unreal, and version control systems, as well as clear project tracking and collaboration features to keep teams aligned. Many also emphasized the importance of automation of repetitive tasks like asset management, testing, and deployment.
EMERGING NEEDS
While not explicitly stated, users’ challenges suggest a deeper need for adaptive AI-driven recommendations to optimize workflows and troubleshoot issues before they escalate. Many developers struggle with scalability and modularity, hinting at a need for flexible Kub configurations that evolve as projects grow. Additionally, the emphasis on collaboration suggests an opportunity for role-specific UI customizations, ensuring that artists, programmers, and producers see the most relevant information to their work.
IDENTIFIED CHALLENGES
Game developers face fragmented workflows, juggling multiple tools that don’t always communicate efficiently. Tracking project progress across different teams and disciplines can lead to confusion, versioning conflicts, and lost productivity. Many teams struggle with collaboration bottlenecks, where critical feedback loops are delayed, and resource allocation isn’t always clear.
Hypothetically, if a studio could seamlessly integrate all their tools into one centralized platform, automatically sync assets, track milestones, and manage dependencies, they could reduce friction, increase efficiency, and accelerate production timelines. We needed Kūbs to address these challenges by providing real-time project tracking, AI-driven recommendations, and a modular system that would adapt to team needs, ensuring a smoother and more connected development process.
DEVELOPING STRATEGY
To tackle the inefficiencies in game development, Kūbs was designed as a centralized, modular platform that streamlines collaboration and project management. The strategy focused on integrating essential tools, automating workflows, and enhancing team communication.
This led to key features, including:
- Kolonies & Kubs – Modular, plug-and-play solutions tailored to specific development needs.
- Real-time Project Tracking – Live updates on tasks, dependencies, and milestones.
- AI-Driven Insights – Kaia AI assists with feature recommendations, workflow optimization, and issue detection.
- Seamless Integrations – Support for industry-standard engines, asset management tools, and version control systems.
- Scalable Collaboration – Flexible permissions and team structures to accommodate studios of any size.
DESIGN & IDEATION
User Journeys
Sketches and Evolution of Kūbs Component
Sketches and Evolution of KAIA (AI Assistant)
Scalable Design System
Flows and Features
LEARNINGS & TAKEAWAYS
TECHNICAL INNOVATIONS
Throughout the development of Kūbs, we leveraged cutting-edge technology to create a scalable and intuitive platform. We refined data visualization techniques for complex game development metrics, optimized UI for real-time collaboration, and integrated with various industry-standard tools. These advancements pushed the boundaries of what was possible in game development management software.
USER-CENTRIC DESIGN
The success of Kūbs hinged on a deep understanding of user needs. Through extensive user research, we identified key pain points in existing workflows and designed features that enhanced productivity and collaboration. The focus on accessibility and clarity resulted in a platform that empowers both indie developers and large studios alike.
STRATEGIC GROWTH
Working on Kūbs highlighted the importance of agile development and strategic planning. We learned to balance immediate functionality with long-term vision, adapting quickly to user feedback and market demands. This approach not only accelerated development but also positioned Kūbs for future growth in the evolving game development landscape.
BEYOND PRODUCT DESIGN
In addition to serving as Lead Product Designer for Kūbs, I also designed the fully responsive landing page, ensuring a seamless introduction to the platform for new users. This required UI/UX expertise, responsive design implementation, and strategic content placement to effectively communicate Kūbs’ value proposition. I coordinated closely with stakeholders to align visual direction with brand identity, optimized layouts for accessibility and conversion, and ensured a consistent experience across desktop and mobile.
Cropped Responsive Landing Page Views