Reference
First I find an inspirational piece of concept art that catches my eye.
Blockout Studies
Intentional spaces that focus on a different feature 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