Researcher | Project: SOLVE
Carmen Johann is a researcher, developer and interdisciplinary designer in the field of interactive media from Cologne. She studied intermediate design at the Köln International School of Design and has a Master of Arts in Game Development and Research. Currently she works at the Cologne Game Lab for the Research project SOLVE and also writes her PhD.
Teaching
Carmen’s seminars aim to connect real world and cultural aspects with game elements, creating a free, experimental space for interactive media, far away from clichés, genres and categories. To achieve that, students must to understand the theory of game studies by applying it in practice examples.
Research Priorities
Since 2011, Carmen has focused on researching interactive media and their significance in social and cultural contexts. She gives game workshops around the world and works on several free projects which span from interactive concepts about Alzheimer’s disease, the cultural development of play, museum pedagogy and even methods to cope with mourning. This year Carmen begins her PhD in which she deals with the influence of game mechanics on player behaviour with a history in substance abuse to reduce risky behaviour in adolescence. Creating valuable concepts embedded and participating with social processes in every day life and the culture of knowledge remain important guidelines for her work. For more information go to www.carmenjohann.de
Research Projects
SOLVE: In the research project SOLVE, psychologists from the Catholic University (KatHO) Cologne, game designers from the Technical University (TH) Cologne and directly affected individuals chosen as consultants will develop a complex digital game with an intent improve resilience and coping strategies of young people with an increased risk of substance abuse and dependence.
Position: Game Designer
GLARS: In the collaborative research project, GLARS (Goal-based Learning in Alternate Reality Setting) the Cologne Game Lab, the Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln (RFH) and Rheinische Akademie Köln (RAK) are developing an education game for trainees in the field of biological technical assistants, or BTA for short.
Position: Lead Game Designer
EPPSA: A research and development project that aims at exploring the potential of location-based technologies and services in the context of informative mobile games and apps. In addition to establishing a joint platform that intertwines various location-based technologies, the EPPSA consortium will create and run a series of individual showcases in collaboration with prospective partners (e.g. museums, event agencies and outdoor advertisers).
Position: Game Artist, UX/UI Designer
