381 - Andrew-David Jahchan

Andrew-David has been developing games for over twenty years (both AAA and indie) and websites for over 15.

He dabbles in design – mostly focused on UI and branding work – sometimes paints, and loves to create gamedev content for his YouTube channel.

He recently launched his own indie game studio that focuses on creating wholesome and accessible games that everyone can play.

Twitter (X) → twitter.com/andrewdavidj
YouTube → youtube.com/AndrewDavidJ
Dribbble → dribbble.com/Andrew-David

Inside Andrew-David's Workspace

Workspace Items and Tools

• Computers: Mac mini 2020 (M1) & MacBook Pro 2020 (M1) – using Universal Control to control both with the same Magic Mouse & TouchID Keyboard
• Monitors: 27” LG UltraFine 27UP850-W (x2) and Wacom Cintiq 13HD (I use an OKX Triple Docking Station to output to three displays – two of which are 4K)
• Webcam: Canon EOS Rebel T100
• Microphone: Blue Yeti (Black) with Lomeho Adjustable Acoustic Screen Foam
• Microphone Stand: PrimeCables 360º Rotatable Spring-Assisted Boom Arm
• Key lights: NEEWER Dimmable 5600K USB LED Video Light (x2)
• Video/Audio Editing: Davinci Resolve Speed Editor & Korg nanoKEY 2
• Miscellaneous: IKEA desk & drawers, Structube Foster desk chair, Apple HomePod mini, AirPods Pro, Playdate handheld console

Software

• Unity (Game Engine)
• Adobe Photoshop (Design work)
• Pixelmator Pro (Photo editing)
• Davinci Resolve (Video editing)
• Adobe Audition (Audio recording & editing)
• Jetbrains Rider (C# programming)
• Panic Nova (Web programming)
• Tower (Source control)
• Raycast (Spotlight alternative + shortcuts, automations, and workflow optimizations)
• Fantastical (Calendar)
• Reeder (RSS feeds)

What is your favorite item in your workspace?

The Davinci Resolve Speed Editor – It took me a little while to get used to it at first, but I truly love this thing! It’s become such an integral tool in my video editing workflow that I can not imagine working in Davinci Resolve without it anymore.

How do you spark creativity?

I’m sure there are tried and true methods for sparking creativity out there, but what really works best for me is letting my subconscious do all the heavy lifting. Whenever I hit a wall, I just switch to working on something else entirely – whether that be another game, a design project, video editing, or abstract painting (which you can see displayed on my wall) – and let whatever I was working on simmer in the back of my mind. Sometimes it takes a day or two, but eventually I’ll feel a kick of creativity – often times late at night – and switch back to that project.

How do you manage work-life balance?

This is something I actually struggle with a lot. I tend to spend all my time working – whether it be at the company I work for as an engineering manager (especially since I work from home), or my own game development/video/design projects right after work. Not to say that I don’t enjoy what I do, in fact, that’s probably why I spend so much time focusing on the “work” part of “work-life balance.” I love game development, I love video editing, I love designing – they’re like hobbies or pass-times to me. I am aware that it’s not a healthy way to live and, fortunately, I have my lovely spouse to pull me out of my work bubble on days where I’ve just been sitting at my desk for hours on end.