Design Practice Games

Here is a list of great games you can use, and what they will help you practice various design elements while you relax and have some fun as well.  These are great ways to take a break in the middle of a project, and an even better way to show everyone else in class that YOU are the boss.  Enjoy!

Photography

Camera Controls: If you want to learn and practice your ability to take different photos using your Aperture, Shutter Speeds and ISOs, then get into Canon Play, and complete the Canon Challenge with a perfect score.

Typography & Fonts

Serif/Sans-Serif: When you first start learning how to define fonts, the first thing you need to be able to do instantly is identify a Serif or a Sans-Serif typeface.  Lucky for you, I Shot the Serif helps you hone your reflexes to identify them quickly.  Warning… this game is highly addictive, and loud (headphones low, people!).

Kerning: If you are looking to increase your understanding of Kerning, you should definitely check out Kern Type. It is a very good, simple test of your ability to create attractive type that is easy to read just by adjusting the space between characters.

Letterforms: If you are looking to have a better understanding of the SHAPE of letterforms, then Shape Type is for you. This game will (hopefully) help you learn how letterforms can be visually perfected with practice.

ShapeType: You think you know how to optically correct typefaces? Find out if you have the right eye and can get the job done with Shape Type. This should show you just what you THINK you know already!

Paragraph Ragging: Let’s face it, we could all use practice our ragging skills for a more proper attractive layout for block text. Ragtime is a great and very challenging game that will test your ability to visually perfect text.  WARNING: Mute the tab with a quick right-click, because this game is LOUD.

Color Theory & Relationships

Color Relationships: It takes time to lean the different color relationships and terminology when you first get started as a Graphic Designer, so use the Color Method game to improve your knowledge of the field, as well as your ability to name the various color relationships.

Hex Codes: So you think you know how HEX codes work for web design colors?  Test your skills by saving the world from HEX colored invaders (possibly from space) with Hex Invaders.  Warning, you may want to mute it with a quick right-click on the tab, it’s loud. Now, if you want a REAL challenge, take a few minutes on What the Hex. That one is a straight up boss.

Color Hues: This game will REALLY challenge your ability to see color shades correctly, which is pretty important if you are going to become the master of color in your design career.  Use the Hue Test to see just how good you are. The lower the score, the better!

Pen Tool & Vector Art

Pen Tool: The Pen Tool to a Graphic Designer is like a Lightsaber to a Jedi… you absolutely MUST master it’s use.  Get good, get fast, and get comfortable with it.  If you are looking for practice, you should check out The Bezier Game.  Love it or hate it, you simply must become one with the Pen Tool.

Web & Screen Design

Site Wirefames: How good are you at looking at simple greybox website wireframes, and being able to tell by layout only what the website actually is? Dedesigning the Web is a great tool to help you both understand how web layouts work, and tests your knowledge of sites you should absolutely know and be using.

Pixels: Test your knowledge of just how big pixels are, and sharpen your focus when measuring the size and scale of elements on screens.  The Pixel Game is a great tool, and I bet you are WAY OFF when you first play it.  Think you can get a perfect score?

The CSS Diner: This game will help test and advance your knowledge of CSS, by asking you to perform selections and actions by writing CSS! The CSS Diner is a great way to either sharpen up your skills, or give yourself a quick refresher.

The Perfect Circle: So you think you can draw with a mouse…? Good LUCK! This game will make you sad when you realize exactly how much control you have with your mouse while you try to create a Perfect Circle. Be warned, many have attempted this and wept when they see the scores they earn!

Branding & Logos

Brand Recognition: This game proves one point… how memorable are logos, and how many have you unknowingly memorized? The Logo Design Quiz will prove to you how memorable branding endeavors really work when the designers know what they are doing.