Summer school teacher interview: Try the different forms that games can take in the Game Design summer course

Aalto University Summer School is excited to introduce a new low-threshold Game Design course this summer. The course is designed to build both theoretical backgrounds and let students experiment with their own creative ideas. Now, the course teacher shares valuable insights about the course content, learning outcomes, and unique features that make it a must-take for anyone interested in games, even without any design background.

Before diving into the course and its working methods, let’s get to know the course teacher, Edward Morrell, from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

How did you end up working with Game Design?

I've been making games for over a decade now. However, I had not considered it as a career until I took a Master's degree in Game Studies, which led to my current position as a doctoral candidate at Aalto. I've found that making games within an academic context has provided me with the ideal venue to combine my interest in research with the art and craft of making games.

Give an example of an innovative approach to games that you have bumped into or created yourself.

The work I published at the Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA) conference last year has been described as innovative by some! I presented a concept called 'Player Decentered Design' as a way to design games that are less focused on the expectations of players, instead empowering the designer to create more challenging and experimental work. Although, I probably wouldn't advise following this approach when first learning how to make games!

To conclude, the Game Design course offered by Aalto University Summer School is a valuable opportunity for students to develop the skills and knowledge that are of value in numerous roles in the future through a process of prototyping and iterating on ideas into successful designs. If you want to experience how game design and development can be utilised to unlock your creativity, we invite you to apply for the Game Design course at Aalto University Summer School. The application period for this course ends on May 31st, 2023.