CONVEX
Reverb Plugin – GUI Design Case Study
Client
- ArtsAcoustic
Date
- 2022 - 2024
Tasks
- User Experience Concept
- Graphical User Interface Design
Info
- ArtsAcoustic approached me with the request to design the user interface for a new reverb plugin. While the market already offers a wide range of reverb solutions, this plugin introduced unique features that set it apart from its competitors – most notably a flexible EQ section affecting multiple stages within the signal chain. This complexity presented distinct challenges for the visual design.
- The primary task was to create a clear visual hierarchy and implement an intuitive color-coding system to guide the user’s eye effectively. The goal was to make a technically advanced plugin feel accessible and easy to use.
- The design process began with a skeuomorphic approach. As the project evolved, the visual language shifted toward a more minimal and functional aesthetic.
- Although the project reached approximately 80% completion, development was halted due to the departure of the lead developer. As a result, the interface was never implemented in a final product and now serves as a case study within my portfolio.
One of the main challenges was the design of the control elements: to convey dense information clearly, the initially realistic-looking buttons and faders were gradually transformed into abstracted forms with higher visual clarity — including illuminated rings or graphic representations of parameters like “width” or “density,” combined with clearly legible numerical values.
A notable aspect of the project is that the entire interface was created in Figma using 100% vector-based elements. This allowed for full scalability and precise control throughout the design. The only exception is a subtle background texture used during the early skeuomorphic phase.
