A bit about me
I may not have taken the typical route towards being a game designer, however the path I have taken has become a vital part of my design process. Taking disparate ideas, themes, and influences, and combining them in new and interesting ways is a cornerstone of my game design philosophy.
I have a solid foundation in Psychology, having obtained a 2:1 in my BSc, knowledge which I have found invaluable in the field of design. Not only have I completed advanced modules in motivational and consumer Psychology, which allow me to better understand what keeps players engaged in games and their wider brands, but also a plethora of other fields from which I can draw design inspiration. Of particular note are the fields of behavioural, social, and evolutionary Psychology, which give me key insight into how human behaviour shapes the formation of social and cultural norms not only in the present, but in history, and pre-history as well. I have a firm grasp of ethical principles, having conducted research with human participants to a scientific standard. These principles guide my design efforts to ensure the wellbeing of gamers, as well as their continued enjoyment of my designs. Finally, public speaking modules prepared me well for future positions as a researcher, where presenting my findings and suggesting how they may be implemented into the design process were key to my success.
Following from my honours degree I had the opportunity to conduct research in the automotive sector both in the UK and in Spain. I worked closely with designers to tailor research reports to design specifications, focussing on ensuring cohesive design language across projects as well as tech implementation in vehicles. Here I could develop my teamwork skills, as I collaborated with designers, modellers, and management, learning the value of compromise between fields of expertise, and the strengths of having a diverse team with differing viewpoints. This was particularly highlighted during my time with Geely Design Global in Barcelona, where an international team of designers worked together to produce world class designs including the TX5 London Taxi. I had the privilege to receive one on one teaching from these same designers in the fields of 3D modelling, Photoshop, and design principles, affording me a sense of creative freedom and personal development I had never experienced before. Feeling confident in my ability to create, I was inspired to follow an ambition much closer to my heart.
Seeing my ideas come to life in front of me made me realise that I had what it takes to get into the gaming industry, and I decided that I would do whatever it took to get there. Having reached out to several studios it became clear that the best course of action for me was to obtain a degree in the field. Using my 3D modelling skills learnt in the auto industry and giving myself a crash course on level editors using Bethesda’s Fallout 4 Creation Kit, I produced a portfolio sufficient to attain me a place on a master’s course. I knew that without the technical skills often learnt from a related undergraduate course this would be a challenge, however I was more than happy to throw myself headlong into the challenge. It was on this course where I expanded upon my prior design knowledge to include the fields of game and level design, as well as receiving excellent tuition on narrative structure. I built my game engine knowledge, including both visual scripting and coding, as well as other creative tools such as Maya and Substance Painter. Despite my initial inexperience in the field, I was able, through hard work, adaptability, and dedication, to graduate with distinction in November 2021.
When I am producing a game or level design, I find myself consistently drawing upon my past experiences outside the gaming industry. Be it the use of cohesive features to tie my design together as employed between models of the same car brand, or an interesting psychological theory to help shape a game’s narrative or spur a player onwards, I can always find a use for the lessons I have learnt and am always seeking to learn more. Coupled with a broad range of personal interests such as history, anthropology, architecture, and miniature painting, I find inspiration is always close to hand.