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Level Design Notebooks

Archive: 33 posts

Recently I have been noticing that a lot of people seem to have design notebooks for their LBP levels;


I happen to have my level design notebooks in my bag, and I show him the schematic for the old version of the small intestine in my digestion level.
Also, a few other people have posted pictures from their notebooks so is this a thing that lots of good creators have? Also, for people who do have it, what do you put in it?
ANyways, thanks in advance to everyone who answers.		2009-02-06 16:49:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645

well i do not have one, but right now I am creating a story flowchart for my current project (see sig), although i am going a little more high tech and using a word processor to do this, becuase it is easier to edit, and i can put in pictures of sections when i am done with them. but yeah other than that... no but i am currious to see what the other people on the site have to say and if they have one.

Cheers!		2009-02-06 16:57:00

Author:
RAINFIRE
Posts: 1101

I don't use a notebook but i draw a lot of sketches on loose papers, it's always best to have a plan before starting on a new level.
For the level i'm working on right now i have about 7 full pages of sketches, concerning everything from single enemies to large sections and maps of the whole level.		2009-02-06 17:54:00

Author:
Marklin80
Posts: 458

I've only recently gotten an LBP dedicated notebook. I always have a few sketch-pads around for when I come up with ideas for anything creative (LBP related or not), but I have found the need for one specifically for my LBP ideas is becoming a necessity. This is mainly because I was getting tired of having my ideas scattered throughout several sketch-pads and I need them all in one place. As for it's content... there's everything from notes I make while my mind is racing as I try to fall asleep, sketches I come up with for objects I want to create, stickers I need to make for decorating my levels, even a few costume ideas I want to create with stickers and how to go about creating them.

While I don't necessarily agree that planning out an entire level is necessary, I do think it helps some creators. Some people may benefit from the use of a notebook to write ideas and draw up rough conceptual drawings of machines and their mechanics, while others' minds simply don't work that way and may never benefit from it's use. It's really a personal choice, so getting feedback from others is irrelevant in the sense that it should not sway you in either direction as to your own choice of what you should do.

The only thing I can say is to try it for yourself, and see if it helps making you a better creator. If it doesn't, that's no reflection of your capabilities as a creator. Do what works best for you... but certainly try it if you think it will help. It's cheap and easy to carry around with you.

Good luck and happy creating either way.
Cheers		2009-02-06 21:40:00

Author:
Rustbukkit
Posts: 1737

I'm a programmer, so I'm in front of a computer all day. Any time I think of an idea I throw it in an email and send it to myself at home, but a notepad is just as good if you don't have access to a computer.

The longer I THINK about a level before starting to develop the better. I can think of all the issues players may have and come up with solutions. I collect all this into a single document. Usually by the time I start building pieces in LBP I already know exactly the way everything is going to fit together. It also helps having all the content thought out ahead of time. I'm not sure Splat Invaders Saga would have been nearly as good, for instance, if I was just winging it.		2009-02-07 00:22:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Well, I use to write out level layouts and mechanical systems on loose pieces of paper. It would just be a pain having to collect all the pieces though. Sometimes my house... err... eats paper... >_>

I realised I needed to get a notebook when designing the TSR - Three Stage Rocket. Keeping track of 8 pages of schematics that are loose is a real pain.

Anyway, I have two notebooks now. One is a 5mm grid book which I use for level layouts and the planning of technical inventions. It allows me to get a sense of scale and write notes on mechanics.

The other notebook is far larger and is just a normal ruled lecture book. I use this to write level ideas, scripts, to do lists when designing levels, rough ideas for concepts, basically anything that involves writing without the need to draw diagrams. Occasionally the two will feedback to each other, like a level layout might be in the grid book and the script of characters might be in the notebook.

I use the normal notebook for other things relating to LBP as well, like feedback for other people's levels or lists of levels I want to check out. I'll also sometimes write stuff that does not have to do with LBP as well, like to do lists, but it's mainly just for LBP.

I keep them both in a big plastic sealable folder, along with several pencils, mechanical pencils and pens. I'll also throw in a few normal puzzle books if I need a break.

I just prefer to use paper over an electronic medium to design things. I'm not really an artist, but it's easier for me to freehand a rough schematic on paper than it is to wrestle with MS Paint or the GIMP. It's also more portable in general and does not run on batteries, so you don't have to worry about recharging it.

So that's what I put in my notebooks. 		2009-02-07 14:37:00

Author:
Elbee23
Posts: 1280

Wow, I never ealised there were so many ways of doing the same thing
I'm going to take Rustbukkit's advice and give lots of methods a go, but special thanks to Elbee for telling me a lot about LBP notebooks - thanks 		2009-02-08 21:31:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645

I think you need to just do what feels right to you.

I spend alot of time in LBP, but it's not the only type of thing I like to work on. Im working on an actual game of my own, as well as a couple of romhacks, and stuff like that. I've been doing this sorta thing for quite awhile..... Though I started programming at around age 7, I think I really got started back in the days of Doom and Doom 2, when those were popular and user levels were everywhere......

You know, when editors didnt have all these fancy 3D views, and we had to do everything by vertices and lines, and uphill in the snow both ways.... (still, making stuff for those 2 games was a blast)



Though I've done this sorta thing often, and for a long time, I can safely say I've never really been good with notes. I dont take any. The fact that my handwriting is so bad that *I* cant read it may or may not have something to do with this, haha.

Yet, as a rule, stuff I make tends to be well recieved. My style of doing these things is just different, that's all. You dont HAVE to make a zillion notes or flowcharts to come up with something grand..... it's just that alot of people find it helpful.


Well, that's what I think, anyway.		2009-02-09 12:18:00

Author:
Bridget
Posts: 334

I'm going to have to quote that programming gem:
"Failing to plan is planning to fail".

I have only done some basic programming, but the most important thing I have learned, is about planning your project before you even touch the editor.

I worked on a flash game last year for school, and our design document (15+ pages of detailed notes) was extremely helpful during development.

If you dont plan, unexpected problems seem to arise out of nowhere.
Before my course, I rushed into a project (flash website interface) without planning.
It ate up AGES of my free time, and I got incredibly frustrated with it.

As for LBP...
I worked during the christmas holidays, and I carried around a small notebook.
Inspiration doesn't have a schedule, and I hate when I forget a good idea, so the notebook worked out great.
You can document an idea, wether it be a character, obstacle or even text for a magic mouth 100x quicker with a pen and paper than in create mode.

Bottom line: Planning beforehand saves a LOT of time in the long run.		2009-02-10 11:18:00

Author:
midnight_heist
Posts: 2513

I jot down stuff on loose pieces of paper all the time when a idea comes to mind that I don't want to forget. But my daughter seems to get hold of them and draw all over them no matter how much I hide them lol

Even bought a pad once just to be used for lbp and my missus just gave it to my daughter again while I was at work and she claimed it for her own

Think my missus does it on purpose as a way to get back at me for my LBP addiction 		2009-02-10 11:44:00

Author:
dorien
Posts: 2767

Thanks guys, I now have a notebook just for LBP :O
Sorry to hear about yours though Dorien! I'm sure you'll get your own back on your wife (spend even more time on LBP complaining that it took longer without a notebook )		2009-02-10 20:04:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645

I use one.
I draw sketches of awesome contraptions with explanation text next to them 		2009-02-10 20:22:00

Author:
oldage
Posts: 2824

I'm at school all the time so I just scribble some stuff if I get the inspiration.2009-02-10 20:32:00

Author:
Voltiare
Posts: 646

I'm at work right now and actually have a piece of paper in my pocket for an idea I have for a yet unthought of level

I'm about to buy a notebook for this stuff, but I just grab a white sheet of paper or whatever's around and quickly sketch out my idea and maybe some kinks to it so i don't forget, in case i figured out a simple way to work out something complicated.

It's been helping a ton and I plan on taking these little bits and pieces and eventually drawing an entire level out before designing it, to make things easier.

Ever since I started planning, I've been going faster and making things more stable. I highly recommend it 		2009-02-10 20:41:00

Author:
superezekiel
Posts: 120

I personnaly use notebooks a lot. I drawn or note everything i have in mind and iprogressively try to organize things in a coherent way to design the level. It could be visual scenes, mechanism scheme, gameplay element...
And often, there is too much things in the notebooks for a single level. I use the idea i could'nt implement in the next level.		2009-02-11 07:40:00

Author:
Takelow
Posts: 1355

i don't have a notebook but i have used paper to do sketches of what i want to make. so far, i can usually just "wing it" and come up with an obstacle/enemy. but if im truly stumped, i won't hesitate to bust out my pencil and paper2009-02-11 12:38:00

Author:
RickTheRipper
Posts: 345

I'm going to have to quote that programming gem:
"Failing to plan is planning to fail".

I have only done some basic programming, but the most important thing I have learned, is about planning your project before you even touch the editor.

I worked on a flash game last year for school, and our design document (15+ pages of detailed notes) was extremely helpful during development.

If you dont plan, unexpected problems seem to arise out of nowhere.
Before my course, I rushed into a project (flash website interface) without planning.
It ate up AGES of my free time, and I got incredibly frustrated with it.

As for LBP...
I worked during the christmas holidays, and I carried around a small notebook.
Inspiration doesn't have a schedule, and I hate when I forget a good idea, so the notebook worked out great.
You can document an idea, wether it be a character, obstacle or even text for a magic mouth 100x quicker with a pen and paper than in create mode.

Bottom line: Planning beforehand saves a LOT of time in the long run.

The language that all programmers know best is profanity 		2010-01-05 23:43:00

Author:
creelers
Posts: 275

this is SOOOOOO old please do not bump threads2010-01-05 23:47:00

Author:
Littlebigdude805
Posts: 1924

well, November is not bad at all.

To hell with the "old" definition on the internet sometimes. If it was last summer or something ok but anyhow. It's an interesting topic I didn't answer so sometimes it's ok to bump I guess.

I have a 8x11 notepad for LittleBigPlanet. It's my best friend when the ideas starts to flow. I even use it to brainstorm and collect thoughts.

.		2010-01-06 02:02:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Well, it was bumped from February (In the States, we swap month/day), but this is just as relevant today, so I'll let it run its course again.2010-01-06 02:24:00

Author:
comphermc
Posts: 5338

Yeah, I've recently gotten into drawing Manga, so I'm thinking of going out today to my local Collectors/Comic shop (which also sells Manga and cool figurines and stuff) and get some supplies. Then I'll probably go to WHSmiths and get a sketchbook, which could double as my level planning book as well..

For Card Quest: The Finishing, I had 4 Sheets of A4 Stuck together to make an A3 sheet, which I planned on. Wasn't as good as a notebook but what the hey! It worked!		2010-01-06 09:15:00

Author:
Plasmavore
Posts: 1913

I don't I just normally make it up as I'm going along

My friend mini_me_2009 won't make a level without planning it, much to my annoyance

EDIT: Went all artsy-crafty and made one with some spare materials lying around

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/kirbyman62/HNI_00813.jpg		2010-01-06 12:16:00

Author:
kirbyman62
Posts: 1893

I have a sketch book filled with ideas and layouts for my LBP levels. I've shared this before , but here are a few sketches I made for Zephyr Valley.

http://brentsimmons.com/lbp/zvsketch1.jpg
http://brentsimmons.com/lbp/zvsketch2.jpg
http://brentsimmons.com/lbp/zvsketch3.jpg
http://brentsimmons.com/lbp/zvsketch4.jpg
http://brentsimmons.com/lbp/zvsketch5.jpg
http://brentsimmons.com/lbp/zvsketch6.jpg		2010-01-07 16:51:00

Author:
mrsupercomputer
Posts: 1335

That's pretty sweet, mrsupercomputer.

I never designed anything on paper out of anything that I've published... it was always just wingin' it and visualization. BUT, since I don't have a PS3 right now, or LBP, I'm either spending my time writing, or keeping my head in the game in anticipation of when I can get back to it... so I've actually been making alot of notations, logic concepts, design ideas, themes, isometric multi-plane terrain maps for small bits and contraptions - but alot of it would obviously look nonsensical without the blanks filled in with the stuff in my head. I'm going to see if a friend of mine will let me snap a few pics of what I've got going. First thing I plan to do is probably recreate and resurrect my lost Metal Slug level, but do it uber revamped and souped up.

What sucks, is I'm going to have to rely on 3 others to help me get 100% everything again... and nah, I won't get a file offline, I want my trophies back lol		2010-01-07 17:01:00

Author:
Unknown User

so I've actually been making alot of notations, logic concepts, design ideas, themes, isometric multi-plane terrain maps for small bits and contraptions - but alot of it would obviously look nonsensical without the blanks filled in with the stuff in my head. I'm going to see if a friend of mine will let me snap a few pics of what I've got going.

You can count me in to give you a hand Ninja. I still love playing the Mm levels.

If you're eager to test out some of your designs, you can always email me blueprints and I'll design some mockups. I can record video of the results and/or send you the workshop once you're back online.

As far as notebooks go, I've kept a few scratch pads, but very little has really materialized in my levels ever came out of it. I think the arm for Metal Gear Zero was designed on paper first, as was the logic that ended up in the elevator. Before that I sketched a lot of environment concepts which never made the final design. I think the big reason why is that things that look good on paper implement as gameplay elements poorly.

I do most of my architecture now on the fly with very little planning, playing with edges and materials until I come across something that is architecturally and visually effective. Where I do have solid ideas beforehand I have no trouble transferring them directly to LBP from my brain... sketch pad not required. For whatever reason the LBP toolbox stimulates new ideas better than a pencil for me.

But, that being said. I just started a new pad today for the NPC villain I'm likely to include in my new level. There are some things that paper is still good for. I've noticed that my artistic implementation of NPCs goes very badly in the editor without a sketch beforehand. I'll try to post pictures soon, but be warned my sketching skills aren't what they used to be!		2010-01-07 17:05:00

Author:
Thegide
Posts: 1465

Yeah I have a little pad. But it's not really planning as such. I'm absolutely terrible at drawing, I have no artistic talent whatsoever.

I'm also terrible at visualising things. I have to make something and then once it's there and I can see it working, I'll then change it around until it's how it needs to be.

The things I put down on paper is more in line with this, by drawing it roughly first, it helps cut down on having to keep remaking it.

It's more about visualising the space and gaps needed to make things work really.

Any ideas I have when I'm just going about my day I write them into a text message in my phone and save it in drafts. Going back and reading them allt hem all after a few months can be quite interesting.		2010-01-07 18:14:00

Author:
jackofcourse
Posts: 1494

I generally just have clipboard with A4 paper laying around, but its not just for lbp

As a result the pages are alot more packed than mrsupercomputers ones, apart fro those that are dedicated to a single character, which so far is one 		2010-01-07 19:23:00

Author:
chimpskylark
Posts: 335

I reslly wish I could draw well. That would help with a lot of things. I can write though. Pretty well actually.

I've been writing this one book on/off for about 3 years now. :/ I should really start writing it properly.		2010-01-07 19:49:00

Author:
Plasmavore
Posts: 1913

As far as notebooks go, I've kept a few scratch pads, but very little has really materialized in my levels ever came out of it. I think the arm for Metal Gear Zero was designed on paper first, as was the logic that ended up in the elevator. Before that I sketched a lot of environment concepts which never made the final design. I think the big reason why is that things that look good on paper implement as gameplay elements poorly.

Yeah, there's definitely a risk there. Most of the time I don't actually draw out stuff, but I do think up ideas and mechanics, and keep track of them in a text file. I get a good idea of how I want stuff to look, but when I get to building it, I just can't get it to look exactly the way I want it to.

Why oh why did I want a 60's space age shiny plastic look?


Any ideas I have when I'm just going about my day I write them into a text message in my phone and save it in drafts. Going back and reading them allt hem all after a few months can be quite interesting.

Heh, you should upgrade that old thing! I use a terminal client to connect to the machine where I keep my ideas file, so I can add new ideas no matter where I am. Even my last phone had a PuTTY client!		2010-01-08 10:26:00

Author:
Rogar
Posts: 2284

Heh, you should upgrade that old thing! I use a terminal client to connect to the machine where I keep my ideas file, so I can add new ideas no matter where I am. Even my last phone had a PuTTY client!

I like my phone! I have a normal phone for normal people! It rings and texts people, what more do I need?

I have other gadgets to do clever stuff!

Example of text from 06-09-09 'piston goes up and down around obstacle, pushes button and opens doors for everything'.

I think that's from Industrial Assistance!		2010-01-08 16:42:00

Author:
jackofcourse
Posts: 1494

I like my phone! I have a normal phone for normal people! It rings and texts people, what more do I need?

Lol, I've been due a phone upgrade for 6 months. I keep looking at fancy new phones and know I'll use the features for about a week before the novelty wears off. Don't really see the point myself...		2010-01-08 16:54:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

I Have a lbp notebook, with a print out of my sackboy on it.
i use it mostly for ideas, and sketches of upcoming level, i'll have to show you guys my sketches sometime		2010-01-08 19:06:00

Author:
Joshofsouls
Posts: 1569

Example of text from 06-09-09 'piston goes up and down around obstacle, pushes button and opens doors for everything'.

I think that's from Industrial Assistance!

And you can still remember what that meant, reading back?


Lol, I've been due a phone upgrade for 6 months. I keep looking at fancy new phones and know I'll use the features for about a week before the novelty wears off. Don't really see the point myself...

Oh no, not you! My world is crumbling... Why you too!?

But seriously, I had my previous phone for 4 years, but I'm really glad I got my Android phone. It's kind of the next generation now, like the Iphone they combine GPS, compass, internet, camera into some nifty new applications, which you can simply download from a store, often for free. Like for instance my phone turns its ringtone off when I'm at the movies.

You're partly right, there's lots of applications that you try once and forget. But I regularly use it to read mail, look up movie start times, use Google maps when I can't find a place. It's really convenient!		2010-01-09 01:03:00

Author:
Rogar
Posts: 2284


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