PRESENTS
SUMMER DESIGN LAB
☀️ A hands-on, creative workshop that turns play into real design skills.🎮 Aimed at teens and young adults, we break down what makes great games work using examples from popular titles and develop critical thinking along the way.🧠 It's the perfect summer activity where by the end, they'll see video games in a whole new way, not just as a player, but as a designer.
Learn to analyze challenges, think creatively, and plan strategically.
Why Play Matters
Play isn’t just fun, it’s a vital part of how young minds learn and grow.
Why Game Design?
Designing games builds critical thinking and problem-solving skillsThese skills translate to success in school, tech, art, and life.
did you know?
ℹ️ Video games are a multi-billion dollar industry and engage more people worldwide than many other forms of entertainment.
Design from Imagination
Envision Your Own Game
Learn how to turn an idea into a strong game concept by exploring tried-and-tested brainstorming techniques.You’ll discover how to use themes to give your game meaning and mood, and understand the role of core pillars that shape the player experience from start to finish.
did you know?
ℹ️ Project 1845 is one of the most impressive Minecraft feats; a massive recreation of Beijing in 1751 that spans thousands of blocks and features detailed landmarks like the Forbidden City?
Think Like a Designer
Creative Problem Solving
Game designers face all kinds of tricky challenges, from balancing difficulty to making sure players stay engaged. You’ll learn how to approach problems creatively by thinking outside the box.It’s the kind of flexible thinking that applies not just to games, but to fields like tech, design, and art as well.
ℹ️ Fortnite, a globally popular free-to-play game, has more than 250 million registered accounts and generated over $2.5 billion in revenue in a single year.
Show What You Made
Leave With a Game Plan
By the end of the workshop, each student will leave with a fully developed game concept, featuring a unique world, original mechanics, and ideas they can continue to build on.They’ll also gain practical tips on presenting with confidence and thinking creatively when tackling design challenges.
did you know?
ℹ️ "Experts like Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, describe play as a vital sense, a biological necessity for learning, creativity, and growth."
Industry-Proven Expertise
Meet Your Mentor
Arcade Academy is proud to have a seasoned mentor leading its first summer workshop, a game designer and former journalist with over 10 years of experience in the video game industry.They’ve worked on and fedback on titles for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, contributing to games played by millions around the world, and have been involved in every stage of development from early concept to final polish.They’ve also shared these insights through guest lectures at universities such as Westminster, Nottingham, and UCLan, and now bring that expertise to help young creatives understand what makes games truly work.Because at its core, this isn’t just about video games, it’s about empowering learners to solve problems, tell compelling stories, and think like designers.
Testimonials
"Haris Iqbal's talk was a dynamic journey through the heart of Games. By the session’s end, the students had collected more than just insights, they had a roadmap for action." - University of Westminister
"Your presentation was spot on, and really helpful for the students. They all also benefitted a great deal from the time you spent with each of them looking at their work." - Futureworks
How Does It Work
Workshop Info
The workshop is aimed at teenagers 13+ due to the age rating of the games we will talk about but anyone above 13 is welcome or below 13 with Parental Guidance.
The workshop is delivered online via Discord. Once you have booked your seat, the link to the server and worksheets will be sent to your email address. (So ensure correct email address is given on checkout)
Each session will have up to 12 students giving enough time for questions and personal feedback
You are more than welcome to sit along with your child and accompany them through the workshop (it is encouraged)
LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE!
Upcoming Workshops
| Date | Start Time | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9th August, 2025 | 13:00 BST | 4 Hours | |
| 23rd August, 2025 | 13:00 BST | 4 Hours |