Every play with something interactive that just has it—that ineffable quality that creates a seamless connection to a digital body. That's "feel," and it's an essential part of any game-making practice.

In this two-hour workshop, explore how to breathe life into digital worlds with artist and technologist Michael Overton Brown. Nominated for BAFTA and A MAZE as well as a winner of the A+D Museum's Design Award, Michael specializes in creating expressive interactive experiences through careful attention to feel and responsiveness. 

Drawing from his experimental practice of "surfing the machine," Michael will guide participants through the often overlooked but crucial element of interactive works: the feel of digital interaction. Participants will discover how small adjustments to movement, timing, and response can transform lifeless systems into emotionally resonant experiences.

Workshop Outline

The session will explore three core concepts:

• What is Feel?: Understanding the fundamental elements that make digital interactions feel alive and responsive
• How to Adjust Feel: Hands-on exploration of tools and techniques for fine-tuning interactive experiences
• Integrating Feel into Practice: Frameworks for incorporating these principles into your creative work

Through discussion, demonstration, and hands-on experimentation in Unity, participants will develop sensitivity to the nuances of digital interaction while building practical skills for enhancing their work.

This workshop aims to equip artists and creators with conceptual understanding and practical tools for crafting more engaging interactive experiences, whether in games, installations, or other digital media.

Logistics

Dates: December 10th, 10 AM PST / 1 PM ET / 7 PM CET / 10:30 PM IST

Length: 2 hours

Format: This is an online workshop via Zoom. We will send you an invite after you purchase. Please be prepared to have your camera on. This workshop will be recorded.

Requirements: Unity (the latest LTS version) must be installed prior to the workshop. Basic familiarity with the Unity interface is recommended but not required.

Experience Level: This workshop is designed for creators interested in making their digital work more engaging through better interaction design. While no specific game development experience is required, basic comfort with digital tools is recommended. The workshop is particularly valuable for artists, designers, and creators looking to incorporate interactive elements into their practice.

Additional Info: No refunds or exchanges. Please review our Code of Conduct. Email info@gameplayarts.org for any questions.

Artist Information

Michael Overton Brown is an artist, technologist, and game designer exploring the intersection of procedural systems and emotional resonance. His practice focuses on creating experimental interactive experiences that probe the boundaries between human intention and machine behavior. Through his work, he investigates how we can form meaningful relationships with computational systems, treating them as co-creators rather than just tools. His approach emphasizes the importance of feel and responsiveness in digital interactions, creating experiences that surprise and delight while remaining carefully crafted.

Currently pursuing an MFA in Interactive Media at USC's School of Cinematic Arts, Michael brings both technical expertise and artistic sensitivity to his teaching practice, helping others discover the expressive potential of game engines and interactive systems.