When I was invited to organise a Game Design Workshop at JD Institute of Fashion Technology, I was not just thrilled — I was also curious. Game design is one area that harmoniously integrates creativity and logic, art and psychology, strategy and storytelling. I was eager to observe how design students, whose aesthetic training and intuitive abilities have been honed, would integrate into the realm of games — and I must say, I was amazed.

The theme of the workshop was strategy game design, and I find this topic very interesting. Strategy games are all about testing players to think, plan, predict, and most importantly, to be interested. I shared my design principles, which I primarily base on classic games such as Chess and Sudoku. These games do not need pretty pictures; they need depth, balance, and challenge — something that I highlighted as the foundation of good game design.

During the session, we took the students through the whole development process — from idea to prototype. I was impressed by how readily the students picked up on the psychology of play. It is vital to know why humans play and why they continually return, and JD’s students were willing to explore this aspect.

One of the highlights for me was introducing a game I’ve been working on — Cardu — a number-based logic game designed to challenge critical thinking. Watching the students interact with it, break it down, analyse its mechanics, and suggest tweaks was an incredibly rewarding experience. It reminded me how valuable fresh perspectives are, especially from creative minds that aren’t yet confined by industry norms.

What impressed me most, however, was the teamwork and inquisitiveness that the students had to bring. They weren’t afraid to question, to play, to experiment — which, to my mind, is exactly what good design is all about.

The JD Institute has fostered an environment in which creativity is married to discipline, and that’s a darn powerful combination for any insurgent game designer. I went into this workshop to teach, and departed having learned as much. I can only imagine how these students go on to influence the future of interactive design, idea by idea.