The Erasmus+ video game design workshop took place in February 2024 at Tallinn German Gymnasium in collaboration with the German School of Lisbon. The workshop was part of the Erasmus+ project Art Bridge and brought together students from Estonia and Portugal.
Over three working days, participants created video game prototypes in small international teams. The prototypes addressed themes of mental health, self-expression, collaboration and psychological well-being. The aim of the project was not to produce technically polished games, but to create a supportive and creative environment where video games could function as a medium for personal expression, shared learning and reflection.
Research focus
The research focus of the project was to explore how co-creative game-making can support young people’s creativity, reflection and psychological well-being. The workshop investigated how the process of making games can create space for flow, emotional presence, a sense of belonging and meaningful learning.
Methodologically, the project brought together art-based action research, participatory design and metacognitive learning. For EVA Lab, it was an important starting point through which the video game began to take shape as an artistic research and pedagogical medium.
Methis. Studia Humaniora Estonica
A peer-reviewed article based on the project was published in Methis. Studia Humaniora Estonica:
Taavi Varm. “Videomängude disain noortele täiskasvanutele. Psühholoogilise heaolu edendamine koosloome kaudu.” Methis, no. 35, 2025.