At a Glance
- Tasks: Design engaging levels for educational games that inspire and teach coding mechanics.
- Company: Brighton Zoo, a creative hub in central Brighton with a passion for education.
- Benefits: Comprehensive benefits, online wellbeing programme, free food Thursdays, and fun social events.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team to create impactful gaming experiences for young players.
- Qualifications: Portfolio of level design work, experience with Tiled, and strong problem-solving skills.
- Other info: Short contract of 7 days over 2 months, with flexible working options.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Brighton Zoo is looking for a Level Designer to join our team in central Brighton. As our Level Designer, you will be responsible for designing engaging, intuitive, and educational levels tailored for the specified target audience. You’ll combine creativity with systems thinking to craft player experiences that are fun, accessible, and aligned with the game objectives. You will work closely with designers, developers, and artists to bring levels from concept through to implementation, iteration, and polish.
This is a very short contract of 7 days, to be worked over a 2 month period, from mid May 2026.
Day To Day- Designing and building levels that teach coding mechanics in a clear, engaging, and progressive way
- Using Tiled (or similar level editors) to construct and iterate on top-down 2D game environments
- Translating educational design goals into interactive gameplay experiences
- Collaborating with developers to implement level logic, scripting, and mechanics
- Prototyping new gameplay ideas and testing how players interact with them
- Balancing difficulty, pacing, and player progression across levels
- Iterating on levels based on playtesting feedback, analytics, and team reviews
- Working with artists to ensure levels are visually clear and aligned with the game’s style
- Creating and maintaining clear level design documentation
- Ensuring accessibility and usability for a broad audience, including younger players
- Managing your workload effectively to meet production deadlines
- Responding positively to feedback and refining work accordingly
- A portfolio showcasing level design work (preferably 2D games or educational games)
- Experience designing levels for games with clear player progression and mechanics
- Familiarity with Tiled (or similar level design tools)
- Understanding of game design principles such as pacing, flow, challenge, and player guidance
- Ability to think logically and design around systems, rules, and player behaviours
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Understanding of how level design supports player learning and onboarding
- Ability to communicate ideas clearly using sketches, diagrams, or documentation
- Experience working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
- Self‑motivation and willingness to learn and iterate
- Ability to take direction and respond constructively to feedback
- Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
- Experience designing levels for educational games
- Basic understanding of programming or scripting (e.g. logic systems, triggers, conditions)
- Experience working in Unity or similar game engines
- Familiarity with UX design for games, especially for younger audiences
- Experience with playtesting and interpreting user feedback
- Passion for games that educate, inspire, and engage young players
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Online wellbeing programme
- Christmas Closing Period
- Free Sandwich or Soup Thursdays!
- Social events throughout the year including the odd beach BBQ
Level Designer employer: Blue Zoo Animation Studio
Contact Detail:
Blue Zoo Animation Studio Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Level Designer
✨Tip Number 1
Get your portfolio in tip-top shape! Make sure it showcases your best level design work, especially any 2D or educational games you've crafted. This is your chance to shine, so let your creativity and skills do the talking!
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow designers, developers, and artists in the industry. Join online forums or local meetups to share ideas and get insights. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Level Designer role!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Spend some time using Tiled or similar tools to create levels that focus on player progression and mechanics. The more you experiment, the better you'll understand how to craft engaging experiences that resonate with players.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from passionate candidates. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Don't miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Level Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Portfolio: Make sure to include a link to your portfolio showcasing your level design work. We want to see your creativity and how you've tackled player progression in your projects, especially if you’ve worked on 2D or educational games!
Tailor Your Application: When writing your application, highlight your experience with Tiled or similar tools. We love seeing how you’ve used these to create engaging levels, so don’t hold back on the details!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your ideas come across well, whether it’s through sketches, diagrams, or just plain text.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Brighton Zoo.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Zoo Animation Studio
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to bring your portfolio showcasing your level design work, especially if it includes 2D or educational games. Highlight specific projects that demonstrate your ability to create engaging and intuitive levels, as this will give the interviewers a clear idea of your skills and creativity.
✨Understand the Game Design Principles
Brush up on game design principles such as pacing, flow, and player guidance. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve applied these concepts in your previous work, as this will show your understanding of what makes a level fun and educational.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Tiled
If you haven’t already, get comfortable using Tiled or similar level design tools. During the interview, you might be asked about your experience with these tools, so being able to speak confidently about your process will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since the role involves working closely with designers, developers, and artists, think of examples where you’ve successfully collaborated in a team. Be ready to discuss how you handle feedback and iterate on your designs, as this shows your adaptability and willingness to learn.