Short course
Game Design Short Course
Course description
Course overview
This short course offers an accessible and engaging entry point into the world of game design, combining physical prototyping with an introduction to digital tools such as Unity.
Through a combination of hands-on exercises and guided design challenges, students explore core game design principles such as game mechanics, system design, player experience, and the iterative design process, grounded in theory but with a strong emphasis on applied practice. Students engage in concept development, rapid physical prototyping, and playtesting in a collaborative and social setting, and benefit from both expert feedback and peer discussion.
In addition to physical design work, students will be introduced to Unity, an industry-standard game engine, through short daily sessions aimed at building familiarity with digital tools and workflows. These sessions will support their understanding of how physical design skills translate into digital environments, covering basic functionality such as physics, object interaction, and simple gameplay systems.
By the end of the week, students will have developed a deeper understanding of game design, along with practical vocabulary, foundational skills in prototyping, and early exposure to professional workflows. They will leave the course with a clearer sense of whether game design is a path they wish to pursue further, either academically or professionally.
Who this course is for
This course is aimed at aspiring game designers and creatives who are interested in understanding how games work and gaining hands-on experience with the design process. It is particularly suited for beginners who are curious about game design as a potential career path, as well as those from adjacent creative disciplines such as illustration, graphic design, architecture, or interaction design, who are looking to apply their skills in the context of interactive systems and player experiences.
The course is also a great fit for students considering further education in game design or related fields, as well as hobbyists who want to learn the core principles behind how games are structured and tested.
Additionally, this course may be valuable to professionals in other disciplines who are interested in applying game design principles such as rulemaking, interaction loops, or system design to their own creative or educational practices.
Level of experience: beginner - no prior knowledge of game design is required.
Necessary experience: no technical or software skills are required. A general interest in games (digital or analogue) and design processes will be helpful. Students should be comfortable working in a group setting and open to sharing and discussing ideas.
Key information
Topics covered
- Core game design principles (mechanics, systems, rules)
- Physical prototyping and digital prototyping (including unity basics)
- Playtesting and player feedback
- Game design documentation and terminology
- Introduction to professional workflows (Agile methods)
Learning outcomes
- Understand the meaning and function of core game mechanics
- Apply principles of system design and rule-making
- Prototype non-digital games using physical materials
- Playtest and iterate on a game concept
- Use key game design terminology with confidence
- Create basic game design documentation
- Understand professional workflows
- Basic knowledge of Unity (Game Engine)
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
- Notebook and pen
Tutor
Zans Gurskis
Zhan graduated in BA Games Design from London College of Communication in 2014. On completion of his BA Games Design degree, Zhan immediately took it upon himself to put into practise what he had learnt by releasing a game on the iOS Appstore. Providing him with a wealth of industry experience, and the opportunity to meet like-minded people.He strives to expand his perspective of the gaming industry, by taking on various roles. Some of his recent
advances include, lecturing at LCC whist furthering his academic career on a masters in Games Programming at City University of London. Currently he is a full-time Game Design Lecturer at LCC.
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