Meet The Resident: Lorna McFall User Interface (UI) & User Experience (UX) Designer within the Video Games Industry
In our latest Meet The Resident we get to know one of our new residents at our Hill Street Studios, Lorna McFall
Tell us a bit about yourself and your creative work?
My name is Lorna McFall, born and raised in Belfast Northern Ireland, where I work as a Freelance User Interface (UI) & User Experience (UX) Designer within the Video Games Industry.
Having studied Animation at Ulster University, I initially worked within the Children’s Animation Industry before reskilling into the Video Games Industry via Northern Ireland Screen five years ago. Within that time I have supported multiple studios, having worked across 15 projects. My released titles include ‘Paleo Pines’ by Italic Pig, ‘Live by the Sword: Tactics’ by Labrador Studios, ‘The Final Farewell’ and ‘Anchored Hearts: A Tale of Destiny’ by Studio Witchstar (which in addition I was Studio Head of), and most recently the award winning ‘The Séance of Blake Manor’ by Spooky Doorway. My tasks depend on the project, ranging from designing user flow cases from wireframes to prototypes based on user research and playtests, to creating the entirety of the UI art from concept to final assets, all while considering accessibility.
In addition I provide training having mentored, presented talks, hosted roundtables, and ran full day workshops for the likes of Northern Ireland Screen, Ardán, Ulster University and Next Gen Skills Academy; teaching a range of topics including Entering the Games Industry, UI Design, UX Design, Accessibility, Freelancing, as well as Sustainable Studio Management. In addition, I assist and am on the committee of ‘AniMates’, a local Animation and Games Industry Networking Event which encourages us to communicate and support each other more across creative industries.
In my down time you can find me attending yoga practices, reading or listening to cosy fiction, or crocheting comfy colourful blankets.
Any projects you’re currently working on?
Though I cannot say what I am working on, I can say who I am working with.
Currently I am working with:
– The wonderfully kind Belfast based Indie Studio, The Game Garden.
– The innovative and exciting International Studio, Strange Scaffold.
But beyond that my lips are sealed (because NDAS are a thing). But do keep an eye out on their socials!
However I should note, if you need assistance on your project always feel free to reach out whether I sound busy or not.
What was the biggest hurdle for you starting out and how did you overcome it?
Imposter syndrome. Especially in what is a male dominated industry, and as someone who is neurodivergent, it is very easy to be your worst critic when starting out and doubt your own abilities. But one thing I pride myself on is my hard working nature. I may not understand something immediately, but I have always worked hard at something until it is not only done, but done right. For me, time and gaining more experience helps quiet those insecurities. I cannot say I am rid of it, but when those feelings of inadequacy do arise again I just have to look at the facts, to see how far I have come, how I am trusted time and again on projects, which reassures myself that I actually do know what I am doing.
How do you stay inspired and motivated?
By choosing to work with teams or projects that I am actually interested in and inspired by. When you are working on a project that you aren’t behind creatively or the team dynamic doesn’t suit your own work flow, it is hard to be motivated to create your best. But if you are collaborating with a passionate team or working on a game that you cannot wait for players to see, it is much easier to be inspired to keep moving forward. Even during tough segments of a production, you stay motivated when you and the team wants to create their best because you all know that if done right this could be amazing. Getting to see players positively react to a game that you contributed to in a big or small way is honestly heart warming.
What do you wish you had known before starting out?
That there are multiple paths with the same or similar skill sets. That your skills are transferable between creative industries and just because you chose a degree, a path, an industry, that doesn’t mean you have to stick to it. It is ok to change your mind and try new roles, as it isn’t a step backwards. Choose what excites and fuels your creativity, even if it means taking time to learn something new, because none of it is time wasted.
