Week Five - Class One

Today we discussed the elements and principles of design applied to Level Design. We discussed Player ergonomics and how the player should not learn by dying. Also level flow, wow factor, hooks, and difficulty. All of this is determined by the determined target market and learned through play testing. It was highly encouraged for the level designers to work with interior designers if available.

Then, we discussed balance, scale, proportion, unity, emphasis, rhythm, and harmony. Each one was applied to cameras, the player, and the visuals. Without these three working together the aesthetics are not achieved.

We reviewed landmarks, paths, edges, nodes, and districts. Finally we looked at a common next step for design: adding walls and windows. We reviewed different ways the walls and windows could be used and perceived. We discussed the psychological meanings behind some of the decisions.