How Do You Build?

[Sackpapoi]

I'd like to know some building techniques that others use, or just the way some people build things. This may also help when others are looking for advice. There's no real "right" way, nor quite an "efficient" way, cause some people do this, and others do that, and it works for them. Like a shoe. A smelly, broken-in shoe.
I just barf stuff all over the canvas. I don't know what I'm doing, but I have a faint idea of what I'm GOING to do. It's like painting without a model. I also tend to put in most of the easy detail as I go, because I'm just like that, and it keeps me from thinking it's ugly. I kinda just merge the gameplay in there and see how it works, and if it's good, then I leave it. If it's poo, I take it out and rearrange to try something new.
Now you. Derp.

[LittleBigSnooth]

I am the same to you. Some people like to do loads and then go back to detail, but I just make a small chunk of my level, make it look good and then move on to the next bit. I think it is a good method because then you feel proud of what you see when the level starts, and you can also have a better understanding of the detail theme. The only real problem with this method is the thermo can jump up massively because the area is too complex, and also it takes a long time to do and by the time I have finished detailing a tiny piece of the level I hate in and scrap it lol. The cruel world that we live in huh?

[AcAnimate]

I start with the idea, then I build the main path of the level, then, I add all the details like decorations, stickers, scenery etc.
I usually make all the contraptions / logic based objects separately and then implement them in the level as I'm building the main path
I always choose materials carefully, to make sure I stick with my theme, this is something I think everyone should do!
Oh, and I use Modular level design in ALL my newest levels, if you don't know what it is, then let me explain :D

It's the best, most efficient way to design and build a level! instead of gluing everything together, you place a ''Anti gravity tweaker'' on every single thing in you level, this makes it really fast to re-arrange stuff!
This way of designing is also used by the pro's when they designed the actual story levels!
If you didn't understand my way of explaining it, here's a more detailed tutorial :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J4TX1mNY7M

[Valeview]

I don't, unfortunatly :c
And when I do, I have no idea, hence why I don't.

[LittleBigSnooth]

AcAnimate, Modular is defo the way forward! I have the method all I need now is the inspiration and the idea lol

[lemurboy12]

I get a few friends and we just completely improvise around an idea.

[LittleBigSnooth]

I get a few friends and we just completely improvise around an idea.

Your way is really good but only if you have a group of friends that you can trust, rely on and in general have a good time with (plus it doesn't hurt if they know what they're doing :P) I am struggling to find good creating friends at the moment and that might be a cause of why I haven't got any inspiration to create at the moment :'(

[Apple2012]

I build from beginning to end or in the order I would play the level in.

In each section, I work on the logic. Then I make test runs to make sure that there are no insects (game errors) with the logic and level design.

[AcAnimate]

AcAnimate, Modular is defo the way forward! I have the method all I need now is the inspiration and the idea lol

I get my inspiration from other's levels ( my levels are inspired ALOT by RikiRiki-ita, Lockstitch, poms and snakeowl ) If you don't know them then go find them! 4 of the best platform creators ever! xD
and when I can't find any inspiration from other peoples levels ( without copying them of course ) then I find inspiration from my everyday life.. like, my level ''Wackania'' is inspired from some Chinese wooden brain puzzles i got at home, the way I made all the platforms ( first a light piece of wood, then a dark piece and then a light piece again. And also the shape of the two light pieces )
I just one day looked at it and got the idea ''Hey, I could make a level with that design'' :P

[LittleBigSnooth]

I get my inspiration from other's levels ( my levels are inspired ALOT by RikiRiki-ita, Lockstitch, poms and snakeowl ) If you don't know them then go find them! 4 of the best platform creators ever! xD
and when I can't find any inspiration from other peoples levels ( without copying them of course ) then I find inspiration from my everyday life.. like, my level ''Wackania'' is inspired from some Chinese wooden brain puzzles i got at home, the way I made all the platforms ( first a light piece of wood, then a dark piece and then a light piece again. And also the shape of the two light pieces )
I just one day looked at it and got the idea ''Hey, I could make a level with that design'' :P

Yeah I know all of those creators and have witnessed some of there fantastic work. I think you're right it could be a good idea to play more Platformers. It's just a shame because at one point there was a great mix between platformers and mini games on the cool pages. Now, I only ever view friends activity, level showcase, newest levels and MM picks. I think I need to play a few more, then hoepfully I can get creating agian because when you have a weekemd, and a good idea, it's an amazing feeling

[Ironface]

Usually an idea just comes to me and I recreate the thought, and sometimes, I too just do whatever, and often it turns out to be unexpectedly awesome, so I keep it and add detail to it. But I always keep the materials to a low, if I go nuts with lots of different materials then like what I see, I'll just material change it all to fit in with the level's theme.

[Ali_Star]

My last 3 levels have been logic based, and my current level is quite conceptual (if that's the right word), so I usually start with 'CAN I get this to do that', eg "can I replicate the movement of the Snake?", "CAN I get it to pass from one side of the arena to the other". I usually do this in a testing area. Once I have the basic idea in place, I put it into practice. I'll add things as I go, both to the logic to get it to work more efficiently, and by adding new ideas to the gameplay... things that I think might be pretty neat.
For my current level, the main logic is about 90% complete, there are a couple of things I need to work on in that sense, but that can wait until the end.

A LOT of my buiding time is spent staring into space, getting frustrated, swearing, testing, crying. I'd say only about 20% is actual physical creating.

[L1N3R1D3R•]

I only make platformers, and I swear by the modular level design.

[LittleBigSnooth]

I only make platformers, and I swear by the modular level design.

Yes, Yes and Yes, Plat forming using the modular method is the way forward

[lemurboy12]

Your way is really good but only if you have a group of friends that you can trust, rely on and in general have a good time with (plus it doesn't hurt if they know what they're doing :P) I am struggling to find good creating friends at the moment and that might be a cause of why I haven't got any inspiration to create at the moment :'(

The only friends on my friends list are the ones I know I trust. I NEVER accept friend requests from random people. EVER.