Rephonic
Artwork for Design Doc
Game Design
Questlandia
Amusement Park
Work-Life Balance
Character Development
Job Flexibility
Creative Work
Mental Health
Part-Time Work
Fear Confrontation
Mortality
Unfinished Projects
Burnout
Amusement Park Horror
The Golden Compass
Chronic Health Conditions
Hinkling
Creativity
Animation
RPG Supplements

Come along with Hannah and Evan in a living documentation of the game design process, from the first spark of an idea, to every disastrous surprise. It’s not an instruction manual, but a travel guide, with lots of unexpected stops along the way.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes104Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DesignGamesArtsLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Design Doc

Latest Episodes

Endings are hard. The ending of a roleplaying game isn’t just the culmination of the story; it’s also when the themes and purpose of the game become clear. In this episode we talk about designing a conclusion that comes at the right time, conveys the... more

Is Design Doc a game design podcast? A saga about the challenges of making art for a living? A never-ending field trip? In episode 101 we talk about how Design Doc began, what it became, and what we hope it could become. Plus, dinosaurs!

Episode men... more

We conclude our discussion of Ready Player One with an updated review of the movie. In pondering this mid movie, we leave no stone unturned... and no critically-acclaimed director forgiven. Come for the movie critique, stay for the poetry!

Find part... more

We’re pulling an unaired episode from the archives this week! We talk about Ready Player One, the dystopian virtual-world novel that took the world by storm over a decade ago. We each completed the book independently, then came together in this conve... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Joshua A.C. Newman
Lifelong creative, game designer, artist, and teacher at an alternative high school.
Shock Social Science Fiction, Mobile Frame Zero
Episode: Don’t Stop Making Art! (Feat. Joshua A.C. Newman)
Alanna Shaffer
Historian and Philadelphia area comedy improv performer
Episode: The Pizza or the Basket? (Amusement Park Horror w/ Alanna Shaffer)

Hosts

Hannah
Co-host who discusses the intricacies of game design, creative identity, and balancing artistic pursuits with life responsibilities.
Evan
Co-host who shares insights into game mechanics, playtesting, and the emotional challenges faced in the design process.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 49 ratings
  • A wonderful inside look at the game design experience and process by two of the most relatable and joyous people out there. Thank you Hannah and Evan!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Azrael
    3 months ago
  • Not just a game design log

    This show is an honest and ongoing examination of the creative process. It’s not about a game, it’s about 2 artists figuring out what’s important to them and what they need to do and be to progress toward that goal. It is an embodiment of “the journey, not the destination”.

    It is alternately comforting and inspiring as I go through my own creative struggles.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    M. Bohnhoff
    United States3 years ago
  • Hannah & Evan are insightful, amusing, caring, humble, delightful. Their rapport and banter are the perfect pairing with their hot takes and deep dives on everything about indie game dev life. Even if I weren't into games I would still listen just to hear their voices and benefit from their lively back-and-forth.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Oodlesofgerbils
    3 years ago
  • A wonderful arc

    This show is more than just a game design show. Over the years it has been a show about the struggles of crowdfunding, burn out and personal relationships. I love how honest it can be at times.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    antafein
    United States3 years ago
  • Honest, Lovely, Caring

    For me, that this podcast is about designing games is besides the point. The topic is interesting to me, but the biggest draw is that each show quickly enters the space where two friends are talking very honestly with each other about a shared project and it feels like they’ve forgotten about the microphones entirely. They have a care and respect for each other that lets them express ideas and show vulnerability without fear of that vulnerability being abused. Listening to this podcast is the au... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Madison, WI
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the honest and reflective nature of the discussions, finding value in the exploration of creative struggles and victories.
Many enjoy the camaraderie between the hosts, highlighting it as a key element that makes the content relatable and engaging.
The podcast is praised for providing valuable insights into the game design process, appealing to both aspiring and experienced game designers.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#228
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#61
China/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#238
Austria/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Don’t Stop Making Art! (Feat. Joshua A.C. Newman)
Q: Can you help me come up with a plan?
Joshua encourages Hannah to use her leverage at work to negotiate for time to pursue her creative endeavors, emphasizing that she should not undervalue herself.
Don’t Stop Making Art! (Feat. Joshua A.C. Newman)
Q: Did you have an aha moment where you felt a distance from your values or from being a person with a creative practice?
Joshua reflects that it often feels dangerous not to create, sharing personal experiences of how being unable to engage with art has deeply affected him.
Don’t Stop Making Art! (Feat. Joshua A.C. Newman)
Q: I'm wondering if you have ever found yourself in this position where you took a step back and you hesitated to call yourself an artist or a game designer because of another job?
Yes, Joshua shares that he hesitated to identify as an artist due to the challenges faced in the creative field and the pressures of financial security.
Insights and Secrets
Q: What kind of insights are we discussing in the context of game design?
We are discussing rewards of information that enhance the narrative elements and contribute to player engagement and satisfaction.
The Art of Perfect Art
Q: In your opinion, do you think they were qualified to make that judgment?
The person had run a ballet school, so they had a higher than average level of knowledge about ballet.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Design Doc

What is Design Doc about and what kind of topics does it cover?

In this show, listeners are taken on a journey through the game design process, capturing the experiences and challenges faced by its creators. Hannah and Evan document their experiences as they develop a tabletop role-playing game, addressing various aspects of design, from emotional dynamics and collaboration to playtesting and mechanics. Their candid conversations illuminate not just the technicalities of crafting a game, but the personal struggles and victories that accompany creative endeavors. Unique to this series is the focus on providing an intimate look at the creative process, which is framed around their own experiences rather than solely delivering instructional content.

This podcast stands out for its honest discussions about... more

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How many subscribers and views does Design Doc have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Design Doc has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Design Doc?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Design Doc:

1. Dice Exploder
2. Yes Indie'd Pod
3. Around the Hearth
4. Rascal Radio Hour
5. Talk of the Table

How many episodes of Design Doc are there?

Design Doc launched 8 years ago and published 104 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Design Doc?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Design Doc?

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What guests have appeared on Design Doc?

Recent guests on Design Doc include:

1. Joshua A.C. Newman
2. Alanna Shaffer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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