STUDENT WORK GALLERY
ID Project 2: Game Design
2026
INSTRUCTOR REFLECTION
The game design project shifts interaction design toward an analytical process. A game functions as a system with defined rules, measurable outcomes, and testable mechanics, so students can't hide behind aesthetics. The game either works or it doesn't. The rules are either clear or unclear. The interaction loop either delivers the intended experience or a different one. Playtesting reveals these issues more clearly than typical design critique: by observing someone play, you see exactly where the design fails. Students who refine their game using playtesting data tend to produce stronger final products than those who base their work on personal preferences. This key difference — observing and iterating based on evidence versus assuming — is the core lesson of the project and best prepares students for the user research needed in Project 3.
Student work
Curated selection across semesters
Student Project Reflections
"Overall, this project helped me understand how game mechanics can represent real-world systems and behaviors. It showed me that interactive design is not just about entertainment, but about shaping how people think, make decisions, and interpret systems. In future work, I want to continue exploring how games can communicate ideas and reflect real-world dynamics in meaningful and engaging ways." - Anonymous, 2026
"Overall, this project taught me the importance of evidence-based design and playtesting. Instead of making random changes, I used data from testing sessions to improve the game. The numbers clearly showed what was working and what needed to change. I learned that good game design is not only about the visual components." - Anonymous, 2026