about me
Hi, I'm Erin McDermott and I create game levels with a unique parallel between level design and interior design. I have over 4 years of professional Level Design experience. I currently work on Warframe at Digital Extremes as an Intermediate Level Designer. I previously worked as the sole Level Designer for an unannounced Square Enix IP at Tactic Studios.
I graduated from Oakville's Sheridan College with a diploma in Game Level Design (August 2020). Prior to attending Sheridan, I received a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (May 2019). I hold both US and Canadian citizenship.
Before entering the wondrous world of level design, I quenched my level design thirst by creating hand drawn maps and level concept art for my personal Dungeons and Dragons campaigns.
level design meets interior design
Game Level Designers and Interior Designers start with the same idea when beginning a project; what is the function of this design? While good design should be aesthetically pleasing in both fields, if the design cannot deliver on its intended function, it is a poor design. Once a function is addressed, the challenge of creating an engaging environment is what sets great design apart from good design.
In Level Design, how do you nurture a player's journey through a level, while appropriately teaching, testing and challenging them? In Interior Design, how do you bring a user into a space and guide them to their intended purpose within the space? In both cases, the intended function upholds the user/player as the driver of the design process.
COMMUNICATION
I see the ability to clearly and concisely present your ideas as an integral part of a successful design team. Creating or following an established format within a design team is essential in communicating your personal ideas to a team and team's ideas to outside parties. Knowing what information is essential to show and having the ability to present it an a way that is easy to understand leads to discussions focused on the idea rather than the lack of understanding an idea.
From working as a professional intern at three separate interior design firms, and various group projects throughout my education, I have had a variety of experience in presenting my ideas and team's work. Whether it be through simple, rough sketches drawn during a meeting to communicate to my team or a more formal presentations to teachers/employers done through InDesign, clear graphic communication has lead to successful design development.