personal design philosophy
These are the fundamental cornerstones of my work ethic and beliefs that inspire and guide my path in Design. Many of these came about through making games, through trial and error, iteration, and a lot of growth / heart-ache. As I became a Senior Designer, many of these continued to shape me, but now inspire me to mentor, teach, and growth the future generation of Designers.
Communicate Charismatically, Compassionately, and Consistently
Too often people isolate themselves into their work, or bubble, and forget that developing a game is a team effort. Be charismatic so that others enjoy speaking with you, be compassionate, so that you can understand the mindset of other developers and their issues, and lastly, be consistent, so that no one misinterprets your intent or ideas!
Too often people isolate themselves into their work, or bubble, and forget that developing a game is a team effort. Be charismatic so that others enjoy speaking with you, be compassionate, so that you can understand the mindset of other developers and their issues, and lastly, be consistent, so that no one misinterprets your intent or ideas!
Design by example, not by words
Design is a tricky field, because not only do you have to create fun aspects via technology, but also keep aesthetic values intact. With that said, Design by example, and let your work do the "talking". Not only will this allow you to prototype your work, but it'll give a more distinct picture of what you've created, and where you want things to progress!
Design is a tricky field, because not only do you have to create fun aspects via technology, but also keep aesthetic values intact. With that said, Design by example, and let your work do the "talking". Not only will this allow you to prototype your work, but it'll give a more distinct picture of what you've created, and where you want things to progress!
{Prototype1, Iterate1, Prototype2, Iterate2, ...}
The sequential golden rule of game development. Never forget to continue to prototype your ideas, and than iterate on them to become better. Creativity can inspire many things, but true polish comes from trial and error!
The sequential golden rule of game development. Never forget to continue to prototype your ideas, and than iterate on them to become better. Creativity can inspire many things, but true polish comes from trial and error!
Never forget the player... ever...
The day a Designer forgets who they design for, is the day that a journey of self-discovery is in dire need! No matter how frustrating, uninspiring, maybe even "dumb" something is, make it for the player, because that is always our ultimate audience!
The day a Designer forgets who they design for, is the day that a journey of self-discovery is in dire need! No matter how frustrating, uninspiring, maybe even "dumb" something is, make it for the player, because that is always our ultimate audience!
Polish the little things
Get the big features right, but polish up the smaller ones even more! It's the little things that count, and will be the ones people remember throughout history. Not only that, in an industry where mechanics are being reused in every genre, it'll be the little polishes that make your level, game, etc... stand out!
Get the big features right, but polish up the smaller ones even more! It's the little things that count, and will be the ones people remember throughout history. Not only that, in an industry where mechanics are being reused in every genre, it'll be the little polishes that make your level, game, etc... stand out!
Game History, do you speak it?
History has an ugly knack for repeating itself, so what's the best way to combat that knack? Why, studying history! Learn from other studios, their mistakes, their victories, and incorporate them into your own strategies and plan. Of course, don't copy from other people, but a mistake clearly on the horizon is easier to fix than walking into one blindly!
History has an ugly knack for repeating itself, so what's the best way to combat that knack? Why, studying history! Learn from other studios, their mistakes, their victories, and incorporate them into your own strategies and plan. Of course, don't copy from other people, but a mistake clearly on the horizon is easier to fix than walking into one blindly!
Embrace the Eccentric
Be yourself, and no matter what anyone says, embrace your eccentricities and idiosyncrasies. They may be the trait that lets you see what no one else can!
Be yourself, and no matter what anyone says, embrace your eccentricities and idiosyncrasies. They may be the trait that lets you see what no one else can!