Michael David Thompson
Department Chair
Principal Lecturer
Michael hails from the west coast of Canada. He graduated from Emily Carr University of Art and Design with a bachelor’s degree in communication design in 2000 and worked at a series of web/interactive design studios before moving on to EA Blackbox and eventually Electronic Arts in 2002. In those roles, Michael served as a UI designer, primarily on sports properties — NHL, NBA, March Madness, and FIFA. In 2009, EA Singapore asked him to help produce FIFA Online. Following this, he moved to Ubisoft to help develop Ghost Recon Phantoms, as well as several other side projects, in 2010.
As a UX/UI designer working in the games industry, Michael has done it all: traditional UI and interaction design, information architecture, copywriting, localization, feedback and player learning paths, acquisition funnels, and production methodologies. He also developed his teaching skills by conducting internal training courses on UX/UI and design thinking.
After leaving Ubisoft in 2015, Michael taught at Singapore Polytechnic in the Diploma in Game Design and Development program for a year before moving to DigiPen in 2016.
Michael David Thompson teaches the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Game Design, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Game Design, Bachelor of Arts in User Experience and Game Design.