Game Design
I have around four years of experience using Unity and over ten years of experience in visual design. Below you can find some examples of how I practise and implement game design. I have a private portfolio that details my projects. This can be reviewed upon request.
Designing Systems
My projects often start with designing the systems and mechanics. Using Miro, I create diagrams and flows of all the different modules and mechanics, how they link to each other, how the player interacts with them and every other possibility that can exist. In essence, this is world building. This is perhaps the part of game design I enjoy the most.
Creating these systems provide a good project path for the programmers. I often practise updating these systems as we develop in-engine, whilst also tracking and linking the system modules with the scripts.
Alongside system designing, I always consider the user experience. This means providing an easy and fun experience and ensuring this through well though out user flow paths, sitemaps and visual design.
Research
Another process I start with is researching the topic. I like to make sure I fully understand the project's theme and world. For example, I have dedicated my time to reading historical documents, academic research and novels, visiting museums and experts, discussing within forums and understanding the latest findings. My research has ranged from learning about ancient Sumerian architecture to the physics of sailing.
Research also involves analysing the market and competition, social trends, player desires, demographics, and personas. In this regard, I believe the more research I have, the more realistic, immersive and entertaining the world I have created is.
With all this information, I end up with a good collection of documents detailing all the required data and stats for the project.
UI, Artwork & Story
I design all the artwork and UI myself. I use Procreate on an iPad for my illustrations and Adobe Illustrator for the UI assets. I then import the UI into Unity and arrange it correctly on the canvas. Some scripting is involved along with some animation.
UI is the player's bridge into the world so I always aim to make my UI clean, user friendly, stylish, fun and appealing.
Story writing is also essential to any game. I enjoy writing in my spare time and have read hundreds of novels, so I often confidently import my literature knowledge into my writing. I always aim to make my stories as realistic as possible to create immersion and to represent the time and environment correctly. However, I do enjoy adding a twist to my stories ;)