David Gonçalves

PhD Student

I’ve finished my BSc in Graphic Design. During three years, I developed several printed, physical and digital graphic artifacts, acquiring knowledge on the different technical, material and human conditions when solving a design problem - in particular, editorial design, information design, illustration, branding, and packaging.

Driven by an ambition to create software and, more specifically, video games, I enrolled in a MSc in Informatics, which I completed at the end of 2020. My MSc dissertation focused on designing games for groups with mixed visual abilities, leveraging the design of asymmetric ability-based roles. Working closely with people with visual impairments, I developed games that offered the opportunity for friends and family to share a moment of conviviality, not readily available elsewhere.

I started my PhD in 2021, inspired by the social relevance of digital play, and potential to open doors to a more inclusive society. In my PhD thesis, I aim to operationalize asymmetry and modularity in game design to enable radically different styles of play in the same game. I expect to create and promote multiplayer gaming that caters to different player needs and preferences, while maintaining the benefits of a shared experience.