I'm Shawna Tanskanen.
Game Design Veteran
I’ve been designing video games since 2010 and have shipped 9 AAA console titles.
I help game teams create better games, clarify their ideas, train and mentor designers, and streamline workflows so they can complete great projects without delays and burnout, while staying within budget.
Games are also an excellent interactive medium for businesses to tell engaging stories about their products and services, or for potential sales leads to have a virtual experience that allows them to learn about complex or technical features of a product.
I help businesses increase customer engagement, educate users about their products or services, or promote new products using gamified or interactive media.
About Me
Making great games that keeps the audience engaged is hard. I help studios and businesses do it better by refining ideas, creating interactive and informative experiences, upskilling design teams, and streamlining production workflows. With more than 15 years in the industry, I know what slows teams down, what causes the audience to become disengaged, and how to fix it.
Developing Games With a Passion While Staying within Budget and On Time.
As game developers, we’re driven to create fun, engaging, meaningful, and innovative experiences—but staying within budget, scope, and schedule is often the hardest part. With over 15 years as a game designer and creative director, I turn creative vision into reality—without burning out teams or missing deadlines.
I combine workflow design, AI tools, and hands-on team training to help studios refine ideas, streamline pipelines, and align cross-disciplinary teams. The result? Better games, better user engagement, delivered on time and on budget—with less stress and more creative focus.
How I Can Help Your Team
I support game teams with design, direction, and workflow improvements that unlock better results and reduce production stress.
I also build gamified or interactive product experiences for businesses to increase audience engagement and for their users or sales leads to gain a clear understanding of the product.
Game/Level Design
Designing engaging mechanics, systems, and levels that align with your vision and player goals—whether for prototyping, full production, or pitch decks. I specialize in actionable, production-ready design that respects scope, deadlines, and the player experience.
Design Team Training & Mentorship
Upskilling junior to senior designers through structured training, live feedback, and embedded mentorship. I help teams build stronger design instincts, improve documentation quality, and raise their confidence in collaborating cross-discipline.
Workflow & Production Optimization
Improving pipelines, tool use, and communication workflows to reduce bottlenecks and increase creative flow. I use proven processes and AI tools to help your team ship faster—with less stress and cleaner handoffs.
Industry Experience
Over 15 years of hands-on experience designing games, leading teams, and solving real production challenges.
Led 40+ designers across projects; shaped creative vision, improved workflows, and shipped The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.
Led multiplayer design on Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown; also built 4 single-player campaigns and an E3 demo level using Unreal Engine 4.
Designed Bright Falls hub and missions in Alan Wake 2. Co-led level design team on CrossfireX from concept to launch.
Designed missions and regions for Assassin’s Creed titles, including Black Flag, Unity, Syndicate, and Origins.
Designed and scripted quests, storylines, and NPC AI for Otherland, a 3D MMORPG using Unreal and LUA.
Games I’ve Shipped
A selection of the games and projects I’ve contributed to across design, direction, and production roles.
What People Say About Working With Me
Here’s what others have said about working with me in game development roles and projects.
Rayark Inc.
Ubisoft
Firerock Capital
Bandai Namco
Ammobox Studios
Let’s Stay Connected
No spam, just thoughtful design insights, practical tips to level up your creative process, increase audience engagement, and sales conversion.