Cozy Graphic Design – Cards, Mats and More
With the approach of autumn, and a Christmas gnome game on my mind, I find myself wondering how to communicate coziness through components’ graphic design.
Chris Scaffidi
Banner Popouts for Kickstarters of Choose-Your-Own Books
With the campaign for What Lies Beneath rapidly approaching, it’s time to finalize the Kickstarter page. And, as with many other projects, I like to see what has worked well for others before jumping into my own graphic design.
Adventurous, Horrific Graphic Design
So a game needs to look like an adventure. A spooky adventure. Maybe even horror-themed. What should it look like? Let’s take a look at a few examples.
What’s Hot in 2023?
I did a quick scan of the web to see what tabletop topics seem popular this year. What should be the next game to grace my empty shelves?
Eye-Catching Component Alert: CastleScape’s Cool Little Turrets
CastleScape includes cool little turrets. Cubes nest perfectly within them. It’s a case study in how to draw attention and evoke tactile longing.
Deep Theme, Improved Accessibility, Solo Modes, and More
Over the past 50 years, the world of board game design has witnessed a remarkable evolution, with creative advancements that revolutionized the way we play.
Printable Card Games
Printable card games have 3 advantages: customizability, potentially lower cost, and no need to wait for delivery. Cartref carries the tradition forward.
Game Designer as Artist: Ali Mahmood
Ali Mahmood has illustrated some of the cards for his new game, Pocket Sci Fi. His art style has some similarities to Jason Glover’s awesome work.
World-Building in Tabletop Games
In tabletop games and movies, world-building is an essential part of creating a compelling narrative. However, there are some significant differences in how world-building is approached in these two mediums.
Waterdeep’s Board: Lightly Colorized Line Art
I’d had a bit of a challenge colorizing the Cartref illustrations, as the colors distracted players and reduced icon usability. Waterdeep suggests a solution.