Game Software Design and Production

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 currently serves as the program director for BA in User Experience and Game Design.

Elie Hosry graduated from the Lebanese University in Beirut, Lebanon with a bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2000. Following graduation, he joined DigiPen (Singapore) to begin working on the development of in-house game engines and tools.

Elie has served as a senior software engineer in the Research and Development department. He is also part of DigiPen’s curriculum development committee.

Elie is a principal lecturer and teaches computer science courses and video game development classes.

Holger Liebnitz spent most of his life art directing AAA games such as Transformers, Men in Black, and a series of racing games including the F1 and Le Mans franchises. To date, Holger has worked on 29 published titles for clients such as Electronic Arts and LucasArts.

Prior to going into teaching, Holger started his career at Melbourne House, one of the first western developers creating games for the Nintendo console. Following that, he joined Atari for eight years, before spending the next 14 years working for multiple Singaporean start-ups and developing a wide range of games, as well as offering freelancing and consulting services.

At DigiPen (Singapore), Holger teaches modules relating to game design and cinematics, while also supporting the project courses. He believes that teaching is a two-way conversation and enjoys engaging, challenging, and laughing with his students. Ultimately, he hopes to help them develop strong technical and soft skills to be industry-ready upon graduation.

Crespy Patrice has been teaching game narration at Gobelins School of Animation in Paris, applied games at Glasgow Caledonian University, and interactive media at RMIT University Vietnam throughout the past 10 years.

He holds a master’s degree in information and communication sciences from Paris 8 University Vincennes-Saint-Denis and is currently completing his Ph.D. under the supervision of Paris Descartes University and the French National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts.

Patrice started his career as a game writer for tabletop miniature wargaming and roleplaying game companies such as Rackham Entertainment, Chaosium, and Goodman Games before switching to video games with humble beginnings as a junior game designer. He then climbed up the ladder, project after project, until he took over the responsibilities of lead game designer and senior producer, porting a catalog of Sierra licenses such as Spyro, King’s Quest, and Larry Laffer to mobile and consoles such as the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo Switch.

With experience in serious games, gamification projects, social games, VR applications, and transmedia projects, Patrice’s expertise covers a broad range of platforms from pen and paper to experimental cutting edge productions.

Prior Kevin Andrew graduated from DigiPen with a BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation in 2005. Since graduating, he has worked in the game industry primarily in the casual, social, and mobile game sector. He enjoys working at smaller studios where he has held various positions in game design, production, and programming. He also found himself working at Disney, where he was a producer on Marvel: Avengers Alliance. In his free time, he travels the world and pursues art and music.

With a diverse range of experience, both personal and professional, Kevin seeks a balanced approach between artistic value and practical implementation. He loves ideas that push the medium forward while remaining accessible and inclusive to everyone.

As a game design lecturer at DigiPen (Singapore), Kevin hopes to encourage students to think deeper about their projects and consider how their works are consumed and influenced by society.

Kwek Shie Sien “Jonathan” graduated from the National University of Singapore with a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 2003.

He began work in the architecture industry and pursued a career in digital world creation and interactive applications over a span of 15 years, transitioning from game companies to virtual reality solution providers. Prior to joining DigiPen (Singapore), Jonathan worked mainly for international companies such as Koei and RealU, primarily in positions as the 3D art lead or producer. He entered the education industry in 2017 to help build up the next generation of game developers using his experience.

Jonathan’s expertise lies mainly in the creation of 3D environments for real-time interactive applications and massive online worlds, but he also has great interest in technology that has great market potential, such as mobile applications, augmented/virtual reality, and motion capture. He enjoys developing indie games and building arcade machines as a hobby, and has high hopes for the future of Singapore’s game development industry.

Jonathan is currently a lecturer in the Game Software Design and Production department, and supports the project courses with a focus on game art production. He enjoys developing indie games and building arcade machines as a hobby, and has high hopes for the future of Singapore’s game development industry.

Danielle Fong Sum Yee holds a bachelor’s degree in visual communication from Middlesex University London where she majored in graphic design. In 2025, she received her master’s degree in digital management from Teesside University.

Danielle joined DigiPen (Singapore) in 2022 and was formerly an adjunct lecturer at LASALLE College of the Arts and Raffles College of Higher Education where she taught modules on digital visualization, digital illustration, and digital image processing. In particular, Danielle enjoys teaching subjects on typography, identity systems, and user interface. She is also an ITE-certified trainer and has conducted short, elective modules for secondary school students who will be transitioning to the Institute of Technical Education.

Prior to becoming an educator, Danielle had been living and working in Hong Kong for 18 years. She started her career as a web and graphic designer and eventually took on project management roles in design agencies where she helped to execute diverse projects across web design, mobile applications, advertising, branding, and exhibitions. Some of the major clients that she has worked with include Singtel, HSBC Bank, Swarovski, Sony Pictures, Hongkong Land, Starbucks, and Swire Properties.

Poh Keng Jin graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Computer Graphics Design (Distinction).

Upon graduation, Keng Jin started his career in Koei Entertainment Singapore. He subsequently left to start his own design studio. As the firm’s creative director, Keng Jin was responsible for conceptualizing and pitching concepts to clients, overseeing the production pipeline, and ensuring the overall quality of work. He also managed a team of artists and programmers. His firm worked on a wide spectrum of projects that included content for games, print, and other interactive mediums. The studio eventually focused solely on game development and Keng Jin was part of the team that produced several games for multiple platforms like Steam, PlayStation, and Nintendo.

In 2017, Keng Jin started RetroCade SG and designed an easy-to-build arcade machine kit. He went on to conduct multiple workshops, teaching participants to build their own arcade machines from scratch.

Keng Jin has taught as an adjunct lecturer for institutions including DigiPen (Singapore), Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, and Singapore Polytechnic.

Sun Wai Hoong holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Toronto, a Master of Engineering (By Research) from the National University of Singapore, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Adelaide. Additionally, he is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) through the US-based Project Management Institute.

Beyond his role at DigiPen (Singapore), Wai Hoong serves as the director of the Purple Edge Group, which specializes in hardware, circuit design, and software engineering services. Wai Hoong is also passionately engaged in the realms of Industry 4.0, STEM education, and renewable energy.

Wai Hoong finds great joy in sharing knowledge and fostering an environment where formal learning and practical experience intersect. Outside his academic and professional pursuits, he also enjoys an active lifestyle. His hobbies include tennis, running, and swimming.

Tan Zheng Wei “Isaac” graduated from DigiPen (Singapore) with a Bachelor of Arts in Game Design.

Isaac got his start in the game industry as a game designer at Bandai Namco Studios Singapore before moving to Ubisoft Singapore in 2017. Over the years, he climbed the ranks and now holds the position of lead cinematic designer where he has worked on Skull and Bones and the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Additionally, Isaac is an independent designer and publisher of tabletop board games. He has a keen interest in social dynamics, player interaction, systems design, and user experience in games.

As a DigiPen (Singapore) graduate, Isaac is passionate about helping budding developers and designers learn how to harness and refine their creativity.