Kinaesthetic Time Capsules
3-Day Workshop
Turn culture into play in this 3-day workshop by acclaimed author Chris Solarski—designing transformative games that preserve traditions, identities, and sensory experiences through hands-on creation. Available as 3 full days or 6 half-day sessions.
What is it?
Kinaesthetic Time Capsules is an original game design method celebrating cultural heritage, identity and self-expression. It focuses on game design (the mechanics and structures of how games work) with a foundation in traditional art and design practices throughout history—presenting an artistic, empathy-driven approach to game design.
What'll we do?
In the 3-day workshop we’ll develop playable game prototypes that can form the basis for a board game, or proof-of-concept for a digital video game. Participants are encouraged to avoid conflict-based gameplay. Instead, empathy, cultural heritage, identity, and self-expression form the main design principles.
Who is it for?
The Kinaesthetic Time Capsules workshop is ideal for game designers, museum practitioners, teachers, researchers and developers in digital empathy, mental health, neurodiversity, disability, embodiment and HCI, gamification and UX designers looking to explore innovative solutions that reimagine our physical and emotional connection to play and virtual worlds.
What we have planned for each day
Part 1
Session 1 – Gaming’s Cultural Heritage
Participants are introduced to the design fundamentals of composition and shape language. They will also explore identity, self-expression, games as art, objectives of play, and how games affect the player’s body and emotions. The lesson includes active exercises designed to encourage a playful attitude, and familiarise participants with sensory design and gaming’s cultural heritage.
Session 2 – First Game + Digital Empathy
With a strong foundation in the expressive value of games and interactive media, participants will actively dive into the game design process to create their first game. They are provided with a practical method for initiating the creative process of designing a game, along with tools for maintaining an overview of the player’s experience (UX). The guided assignment includes a definition of game design and an introduction to game design basics.The afternoon session concludes with insights into how the digital world and games affect the player’s body and emotions—deepening participants’ understanding of digital empathy and embodiment for artistic effect.
Part 2
Session 3 – Game Design (1/2)
Day 2 builds on the topics from Day 1, providing a more comprehensive overview of game design principles. Topics include game components, affordances, rules, game mechanics, objectives, and game balancing—all framed within the context of shape language, embodiment, and empathy.Participants are invited to assemble, play, and discuss a series of games using conventional game components. They are encouraged to adapt and experiment with game structures in preparation for personal projects. Games explored include using the body as a game component, as well as dice and playing cards. Assignments are designed to help participants think differently about everyday objects and how they might be incorporated into games.
Session 4 – Game Design (2/2)
The afternoon session continues with exercises from the morning, expanding into more complex topics such as level design and Chess-like games. The session concludes with discussions on documenting game design concepts, testing and iteration, and body-storming.
Part 3
Session 5 – Disability Aesthetics + Game Conception (1/2)
Now that participants are familiar with paper prototyping and game mechanics, assignments progress to disability aesthetics, exploring game concepts that go beyond neurotypical and able-bodied perspectives. Participants are then introduced to their main assignment: creating an original game using a sensory object with personal value. They can choose to work individually or in teams.
Session 6 – Game Conception (2/2)
Participants continue the conceptualisation and development of their final project. The broader meaning of shape language is explored, along with tips on setting a clear direction (avoiding “blank page” syndrome), using music to generate sensory ideas, and applying the unreliable gamemaster design strategy to heighten player engagement and curiosity.
Meet your teacher
Chris Solarski is the acclaimed author of Drawing Basics and Video Game Art (Watson-Guptill 2012), and Interactive Stories and Video Game Art (CRC Press 2017)—industry-endorsed books on game art, and interactive storytelling that explore the intersections between traditional craft and interaction design. Chris has 15+ years of teaching experience, and his light-hearted and mindful teaching style ensures that all participants comfortably enter the playful spirit necessary for game design—irrespective of experience and background.
Endorsements
"The convergence of narrative in film, video games, and virtual reality will fundamentally change the entertainment industry in coming years. Chris Solarski's book gives content creators crucial insights into interactive story composition and how to adapt these concepts for transmedia storytelling."
"The concepts presented in Chris Solarski's book remind me of Joseph Campbell's powerful demonstration of a universal storytelling structure. This book creates that wonderful feeling of learning new letters, which soon prove useful to form new sentences for bringing new poetry to the world."
"Chris’ work and writings brought me a deep insight and perspective about game design and art. His thorough research on storytelling in games, and how that translates to shape languages in game art that evokes certain emotions to the players, makes me look at visual art very differently today."
"Chris Solarski's book is extremely ambitious; from the smallest detail to broad concepts that encompass an immense scale, its truly applied methodology serves as a catalyst that enriches the reader's heart and promotes the creation of pure art."
"Chris Solarski's book supports my own 30-year crusade to demonstrate that games are an art form that undeniably rivals traditional arts. It gives detailed explanations of game art techniques and their importance, while also highlighting their dependence on artistic aspects of game design
and programming."
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"Chris Solarski's book is a great game design resource, as it breaks down shape theory in all aspects of design."
"The clever thing about Chris Solarski's book is that it bridges the worlds of game design and storytelling. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to get into game design and understand what's going on beneath the surface."
Examples of exciting games from past workshops
The gallery below illustrates a sample of the exciting games that have been developed using the Kinaesthetic Time Capsules method, covering topics relating to sensory design, digital empathy, mental health, neurodiversity, disability, HCI, and embodiment, while avoiding typical conflict-based game mechanics.
FAQs
Key topics explored in the workshop include:
- How do game mechanics affect the player’s body and emotions for artistic effect, and how can we use this knowledge for self-expression and digital empathy?
- What expressive qualities do video games have that they inherit and surpass from traditional arts?
- How can individuals, kids and cultural groups engage in game co-creation?
- How can game design convey intangible culture and tradition?
- How can games meaningfully engage with mental health and disability?
- What roles do games play in traditional museum settings?
- In the age of A.I., the metaverse and digital games, how can we playfully connect with the tactile world around us?
- What role does paper prototyping and “body-storming” play in the development process for digital games?
Assignments are accessible and screen-free, with a focus on paper prototyping and body-storming. No previous game design experience is necessary, nor knowledge of coding.
It’s recommended that participants begin assembling a prototyping toolbox filled with standard game components and varied sensory objects with which to playfully experiment. For the purposes of the workshop, the following items represent the minimum material requirements:
- Colouring pencils
- Marker pens
- A4 paper
- Cardboard
- D6 Dice
- Assortment of geometric forms
- Scissors
- Sellotape
- Masking tape
- Mobile phone for documenting exercises
To participate in online workshops, it is important to have the following:
- Stable Internet Connection
A reliable internet connection ensures smooth participation and avoids interruptions during the workshop. - Computer with Audio and Video Capabilities
You’ll need a computer with a working microphone and camera for communication and interaction during the sessions. - Zoom Application Installed and Tested
Make sure you have the Zoom app installed and working properly before the workshop. Test your audio and video settings in advance to ensure you’re ready for the session. - Discord Account (Optional)
While optional, a Discord account can enhance your experience by allowing you to connect with other participants, access resources, and receive updates. Setting this up beforehand is recommended if you wish to engage more with the community.
- Payment & Refunds
Refunds are available if requested at least 15 days before the workshop. No refunds once the workshop has started, except in cases of serious unforeseen circumstances (e.g., medical emergencies). Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. - Intellectual Property & Recording
Recording, redistributing, or sharing workshop content (including screenshots) is strictly prohibited. All course materials, exercises, and recordings (if provided) are copyrighted and for personal use only. - Technical Requirements & Responsibilities
Participants are responsible for ensuring they have a stable internet connection and the required software/tools before the session. No refunds will be given for technical issues on the participant’s end. - Conduct & Participation
Respectful behavior is expected. Disruptive participants may be removed from the session without a refund. - Cancellations & Rescheduling
If the workshop is canceled or rescheduled by the instructor, participants will be offered a full refund or a credit for a future session.
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