Saddle Up for a New Sleek Look – Building a Design System
Star Stable OnlineStar Stable Online, a beloved and widely recognized game, collaborated with HiQ to develop a new design system as it continues to evolve and expand its virtual world.
- • Brand design
- • Design System
- • Interaction Design
Mission
As Star Stable Online evolved over the past decade, its user interface became fragmented and in need of a major update. With a global player base of girls aged 7-18, the challenge was to modernize the design while preserving the game’s unique charm. Recognizing this need early on, Magnus and the HiQ team set out to create a cohesive, scalable design system that would support the game’s future growth across both desktop and mobile.
“When we set up the design system project, we discussed our needs and constraints, and you truly made it work within those. Your humble and collaborative approach, along with your ability to really listen and understand our organization’s needs, made all the difference. It felt like we were on a journey together to discover the best solution—one that was truly customer-centric.”
Luis Cascante Head of Franchise, Star Stable Online
Solution
To build a system that truly met SSO’s needs, we took a structured approach:
- Audited the existing interface through workshops with the client.
- Conducted interviews with key stakeholders to understand user and business needs.
- Developed three mood boards to explore new visual directions while staying true to the game’s world.
- Designed for both desktop and mobile, ensuring a seamless experience as the game expands to new platforms.
- Collaborated remotely using tools like Figma, Miro, and Microsoft Teams, enabling efficient co-creation despite the distance.
Results
The new design system provides clarity, consistency, and scalability, empowering Star Stable Online to continue evolving with a modern, user-friendly interface. With this foundation, the SSO team now has the tools to maintain and expand their design system independently, ensuring a seamless experience for players for years to come.
