Understated Line Art and the Graphic Design of Cartref
For the past few months, I’ve worked on a new game that requires understated art. Several games have caught my attention and inspired an art direction.
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Confirming Commonalities of Art in Awesome Fantasy Games
I previously identified commonalities in game art that players called awesome. In this post, I test if those generalizations apply to top-ranked fantasy games.
Commonalities of “Awesome Art” in Tabletop Games
What do the art pieces in successful games have in common? Let’s compare a sample of top-rated games that have reputedly “awesome art” to find commonalities.
Designer-Developers CAN do Art and Graphic Design
Most game designers and developers don’t also do art and graphic design. Yet a few special people succeed in mastering multiple areas. They’re an inspiration!
The Case of the Framed Cards (Graphic Design for Games)
While the fundamentals of graphic design are no mystery, little guidance exists on applying fundamentals to tabletop games. This article zooms in on framing.
The Amazing Print-And-Play Builds of Martin Gonzalvez
Martin runs the awesome little “Print and Play Hideaway” group on Facebook and is, as far as I can tell, the king of table presence when it comes to PNP’s.
Cute and Cozy Creatures Capture an Audience’s Attention
Some games feature cute creatures. Shamelessly cute creatures. Creatures so cute that you have to grab the box when browsing your friendly local game store.
Effective Use and Combination of Graphic Design Motifs
In graphic design, a “motif” communicates a feeling without drawing conscious attention. Yet such motifs contribute to thematic presence, amplifying immersiveness.
Games with Unusual Table Layouts
Dear designers, consider this easy way to grab attention: don’t mindlessly emulate the Monopoly layout, with a board and a few rows of other components nearby.
Objectively Investigating Investment in Objective Cards
I observe that publishers rarely invest much in art for objective cards, and I see a few justifications for this choice. There are, of course, exceptions.