Reference
First I find an inspirational piece of concept art that catches my eye.
Blockout Studies
Blockout Jams, hosted by the Design Den Discord Server, that focus on creating interesting and intentional spaces that have a selected function and identity
Workflow
Gameplay Purpose
Identify what kind of gameplay that would best fit in the space. I figure out what purpose the space serves.
Blockout
Finally after identifying all of the elements that will be in the space I start creating a space that combines both the level design elements and gameplay purpose of the space.
Artist: Josh Norman
Artist: Terraform Studios
Artist: Bungie
City in a Cave
Genre: Souls Like
Gameplay Purpose: Transition Space into a combat space
Space Identity: An old city that is ruins inside a long open cave. This space would be the first part of the cave that would branch off into deeper sections.
Blizzard Checkpoint
Genre: Souls Like
Gameplay Purpose: Transition Space into a combat space
Space Identity: While exploring during a bad blizzard this space serves as a checkpoint between spaces.
Marathon Inspired Point of Interest
Genre: Extraction Shooter
Gameplay Purpose: Point of Interest
Space Identity: Deep within the swampy forests of Dire Marsh you find a small high tech power station that contains high value loot deep within