2019 · UX/UI Lead

Inverting the Pyramid

A Leadership Case Study

Overview

From individual efforts to a connected teamSeparate nodes join a shared framework, showing the shift from isolated work to a connected team.
Give individual efforts a shared structure.

When I joined Psyonix, the UI/UX team lacked structure, clear roles, and an efficient workflow. Designers often found themselves working in silos, communication was inconsistent, and project ownership was unclear. The challenge was to restructure the team, improve collaboration, and enhance overall productivity while maintaining a high standard of design quality.

Challenges

Overlapping ownership creates duplicated effortTwo roles point to overlapping work, while a third sits disconnected from the flow.Role ARole BRole CWork
Unclear ownership creates overlap and gaps.

The existing team dynamic created inefficiencies that led to misaligned expectations and delays in production. Responsibilities were not clearly defined, leading to overlapping efforts and duplicated work. Additionally, cross-discipline collaboration was inconsistent, making it difficult for the UI/UX team to align with engineers, producers, and other stakeholders. Without a clear leadership structure, junior team members lacked mentorship and growth opportunities, which impacted morale and overall output.

Approach

Listen, clarify, connect, and growA repeating cycle connects team assessment, clear roles, structured communication, and development.ListenClarifyGrowConnect
Listen first. Make clarity and feedback a habit.

The first step was conducting a team assessment to identify pain points and strengths. Through one-on-one meetings and team discussions, I gathered insights into workflows, blockers, and areas of improvement. Based on this feedback, I introduced defined roles and responsibilities, ensuring every designer had clear ownership over specific features and projects.

To improve communication, I implemented structured weekly meetings, allowing the team to share progress, address challenges, and collaborate more effectively. I also established a documentation system to keep track of work, decisions, and feedback, reducing ambiguity and enhancing alignment with other departments.

Mentorship and growth were another priority. I introduced design reviews, feedback sessions, and career development plans, enabling team members to strengthen their skills and advance professionally.

The outcome

Clear ownership, shared directionDesign, engineering, and production connect to one shared direction instead of separate workflows.DesignEngineeringProductionShared direction
Distinct roles. One shared direction.

The reorganization led to a more efficient and cohesive team, with clear ownership over tasks and improved collaboration across disciplines. Productivity increased as designers had well-defined workflows, and morale improved as team members felt more supported in their roles. The structured communication process allowed for faster decision-making and better alignment with production teams, ensuring that UI/UX efforts were fully integrated into the broader game development process.

Lessons learned

Structure, communication, and growth reinforce each otherThree equally sized connected elements show the lessons of clear structure, regular communication, and investment in growth.StructureDialogueGrowth
Clarity, communication, and growth work together.

1. Structure Enables Creativity

  • Providing clear roles and workflows freed designers from ambiguity, allowing them to focus on innovation and problem-solving.

2. Communication is Key

  • Regular check-ins, structured meetings, and transparent documentation helped eliminate roadblocks and improved alignment across teams.

3. Investing in Team Growth Pays Off

  • Establishing mentorship opportunities and career development pathways fostered a stronger, more motivated team that could take on larger challenges.

Final thoughts

Leadership supports the teamA wide team at the top of an inverted pyramid is supported by leadership beneath it.The teamSupportLeadership
Put the team at the top. Lead by supporting it.

Reorganizing the UI/UX team at Psyonix was a rewarding leadership challenge that reinforced the importance of structure, communication, and mentorship in building a high-performing design team. This case study highlights the ability to assess team dynamics, implement strategic improvements, and foster a culture of collaboration and growth.