Games Development Archives - Design Bytes

March 26, 2025March 26, 2025

My Creative Graphic Design Process | Explained In 7 Stages

Let me share my secrets.

For those who are interested in knowing more about my design process and workflow, this post is for you.

My creative graphic design process is explained in 7 easy-to-follow stages.

This post offers an inside look at how I approach design projects. From designing an eye-catching theme for a board game to creating a compelling landing page for a website, this step-by-step overview highlights my workflow and processes as a designer.

Design is a journey, and this is how I travel.

I advise anybody who is showing an active interest in working with me to take note of this post and try to read and consume as much of the information as possible. This post can also be hugely beneficial to those who have never worked with designers before and would like to understand the creative process.

For those of you new to working with designers, you may find this post interesting: What is a creative design process?

You also jump straight into the steps of my design process from here.

Now let me spill the beans and share my secrets…

How My Creative Approach Differs

I believe much of my design process is not too dissimilar to that of many other ‘creative’ and idea-based designers. However, I would also like to add that not all designers are the same. Our minds, education, and career paths can shape how we approach creative challenges.

I like to present myself as a ‘conceptual designer’ in a freelance and business setting. Offering ideas and solutions with a capable hand in delivering these ideas.

Having worked with a mixture of start-ups and companies with a history in product development, this has sculpted my approach and techniques when it comes to graphic design.

Does Graphic Design Have & Structure?

It should! Design for the most part, is applied and used in commercial environments. Be it for selling a product, an idea, or to convey some sort of message through the visual medium.

Graphic design can also play a pivotal part in the product itself. With this in mind, it should have some form of workflow and process and not be left to chaotic creativity alone. The creative process of design should, adhere to a structure that enables it to meet a brief with a precise outcome.

This need not inhibit creativity… On the contrary! A process can help the design with a mutually assured aim between the client setting the brief and the designer!

Box design - packaging — As an example, I have attached an image from the Aardman project were involved with. You can read more in the post.

My design process, whether for a board game, a crowdfunding campaign page, or digital content! Relies on a professional structure for both creating something that is ‘on brief’ and manages the project and client’s expectations in a piecemeal and controlled manner. As a designer and business owner, I try to avoid unexpected surprises.

My Creative Graphic Design Process – Table Of Contents

) Admin, set-up, learning brief
) Research, find Inspiration, collect data
) Early ideas, and very rough artwork
) Develop ideas
) Refine, polish, and finishing touches
) Final artwork sent for ‘final approval’
) Handover of artwork

My General Graphic Design Process Table Diagram

Infographic For My Creative Design Process

At the mid to latter stages of the creative process, a form of control is introduced that funnels decision-making.

At these junctions, I encourage the client to approve what is shown and discussed before proceeding with the journey. You can imagine this as a fork in the road or a crossroads in which I will also act as a guide and sherpa. This method enables me to put my best foot forward and enables the design direction to remain focused. ( We don’t want to veer too far off the beaten path! )

Please see my information graphic for this stage of my creative design process!

My General Graphic Design Process info graphic and flow chart.

1 ) Getting To Know The Client – Admin & Project Set Up

This is a crucial step in the process as with the rest of the steps. This also forms part of the pre-preparation stage.

This very first stage – which could easily be called step ‘0’ – is where all paperwork is signed, and documents are filled. It is all part of the grand plan.

In this step, I will also try to learn more about the client, their business intentions, and their project.

At this stage, I may or may not have already spoken to a client based on an initial discovery call. This call is to learn more about you or them, and whether I can help with the project.

From this call, I will either advise and offer my paid consultation service first, which can save money in the long term, or act as a bridge stage before the client fully commits to a project and budget. Or if they are ready, the steps will involve moving toward making a full project.

It is also important in this stage to discuss the matter of payment and when these payments need to be made.

Itemised examples of what will / may happen in this stage

Signing documents
Discussing what documentation needs to be created
Arranging payment and payment terms
Scope of work
Discussing copyright

And other administrative stages.

2 ) Collect Information, Research and Study Competition

After the correct paperwork is completed and signed, the in-depth creative stages of the design process can begin.

At this point, ask if you already have reference materials, images, fonts or pieces of relevant information for the project. I could also ask if you have any more research materials or ideas that could contribute to the design.,

In addition to this, I will likely carry out my own research to further buffer my inspiration and ideas.

I will also utilise this opportunity to study relevant competition to further guide my hand and thought process.

This stage of the creative process paves the way for the next stage – generating the initial roughs and ideas!

3) Ideas / Early Design Work / Initial Design

There are many synonyms I would like to use to describe this first phase of the design process. However, I feel the most accurate description would be ‘rough designs, iterations, or ideas‘.

You can also call it :

Sketching ideas, creating first roughs, hashing out ideas, getting ideas down on paper – any other associated wording to say ‘Rough’ ideas, and feeling my way through the early phase of a project. It is in this stage that I get into my stride of a project and immerse myself in the project.

Here are a couple of examples that my past clients were kind enough to allow me to use.

logos — Generating ideas for logo design project examples!

Or cover ideas

Cover artwork Creative Graphic Design Process — Design examples for a box cover design – streetwise

UI process Wimbledon Brewery — This is an example of the website UI I was involved with.

No design drafts at this stage are final or polished, nor am I precious about the proofs presented.

These first drafts are the foundational step in orienting the design direction of the project.

To further illustrate how this step works in the design process…

– With these early drafts, I will often refer to items on an art board with ‘A, B, C, D’. This is to help both me and the client to reference what design or designs we think are the strongest. It helps with communication.

Creative Graphic Design Process - example selection

Example 1 ) If ‘B’ is selected, I will then ‘develop ‘B’ and invest more time and energy to ‘make good’ that rough idea.
Example 2 ) Based on this early stage of creating rough designs, if a client says they like ‘B’ with elements of ‘D’ I will remain in this phase and create another idea based on that feedback. However, the more iterations created, the more time and budget are required. If there is more experimentation, this is likely to inflate time and budget, even more so if this is repeated a couple of times.

Creative Graphic Design Process – More examples of the ‘ideas phase’

To further illustrate this idea phase, here are some more samples of what can take place:-

Rough sketches and drawings on paper
Rough digital drawings
Scribbles ( Very, very early exploration of ideas )
Initial digital mock-ups ( as proof of concept )
Loose thumbnails ( small drawings )
A selection of ideas with labels
Annotated concepts showing reasoning

These are all tools and approaches required and used on a case-by-case basis for a client when working on a design project.

4 ) Developing the Initial Idea Towards A Final Design | Development

This phase is not unlike the 3^rd phase on first appearances. There are, however, some key differences in this stage which ought to be mentioned.

1 idea is usually selected and developed ( built upon ). This is not the stage to be hashing out new ideas or rough ideas. If I do find myself or the client trying to create new ideas in this stage, I will inform them that I will need to roll back a step to do this.

I try to steer my clients into making idea decisions early!

As mentioned in stage 3. This is both for my own sanity and the clients, to control the flow and time frame of a project.

This is the stage of building upon the best idea and honing in on that particular idea, not to experiment with new ones. But in reality, eureka moments can come along! That is the nature of the creative journey.

2. simplify the differences between stages 3 and 4 :

Ideas generation = to create a range of rough ‘ideas’
Develop that idea = to improve one of the short-listed ideas

The Creative Graphic Design Process – Developing The Winning Idea!

1 idea was selected! That awesome idea for a cover, board game design, box, or something else. Now the sole focus is all in on that single idea. An idea in which all energy and concentration are now focused. The idea that is to be ‘developed’ – made good, in other words.

( Typically ) 1 idea has been short-listed and selected. This is based on client feedback and whether this idea adheres to the brief.

From here, I will take the rough design, either polish it and make good of the artwork for the final stages of the process.

Or

I will amend that design based on the feedback from the ideas stage. I will then present this to the client for approval.

Creative Graphic Design Process Scenario… Based On Past Experiences

I wanted to share a real scenario when explaining my creative graphic design process and spilling the proverbial beans. This is not an exact re-enactment. This fictionalised scenario.

Imagine the following :

Client: “ I really like A, not B. I like elements of idea C… is it possible to combine elements of both A, C and see where this leads?”

Designer ( Me ): “I don’t see why not, I’m happy to send this version across, but it may take a bit of time to mend, and there is no saying if that will work. ”

As a side note, if I think something will look utterly terrible before doing it, I will often voice this – if they are willing to listen.

Client: “ Okay, let’s see what that leads!”

Designer: “Keep in mind that this may add to the cost. if you have more feedback as to why you feel that a mixture of the above applies, let me know.”

Client “Okay… see where it goes. I feel that X and Y work because they are closer to business intentions and, I plan to do X in 6 months.”

In this scenario, I will create another rough version to be sent to the client. Based on client feedback, I proceed from there. If the artwork is given a green light or some seal of approval. I will then take this to what is essentially the final creative stage.

5 ) Refine, Polish, Tweak ( Fine Tuning )

From the previous step, if the core of the work is ‘nearly there,’ I will then progress the design to completion.

This refining or fine-tuning stage may involve the following:-

Slight adjustments to the alignment of objects
Checking colours are as they should be
Minor tweaks to the visuals
Checking that images, etc, are embedded
The artwork is moving towards the steps for delivery
Morning towards file preparation

* Warning – THIS is not the stage for significant changes! *

The latter stages of a design project are not the time for last-minute changes, complete revisions, whims, or overhauls!

Doing so would require me or other designers with a similar design process to go back to stage 2 or 3 and restart from there.

This costs time and money, and big changes are best made at the start and middle, not the end.

So, don’t rewrite the brief at the end or partway through unless absolutely essential! This can be costly and can cause headaches for all concerned!

This is why I request written signs of approval for EACH stage of the creative journey. This is to mitigate and discourage knee-jerk decisions and changes at the 11th hour.

Any significant changes to the design, be it a concept, is in essence a roll-back… and will delay the project and incur costs.

Last-minute design changes happen but are best avoided for those who are conscious of cost.

Here are some reasons why, on rare occasions, this ‘does’ happen.

The client has had a change of heart
The client has new ideas they want to explore (late)
Another person of control has manifested late in the project
The client is listening to another person’s opinion ( or too many opinions )
Something has been realised later in the project, whereby it requires changes

This is the reality of professional design. Setbacks can also arise from various external factors outside both the client’s and designer’s control.

6 ) Final Draft For Approval ( What Is The Final Draft In Design? )

When referring to graphic design, the final draft will represent the final form and iteration of that particular design. The final green light!

A written sign of approval, such as ‘greenlit’, ‘complete’ ‘finalised’, or anything in written form to say they are explicit in their satisfaction with the work. Then it is the next step of packaging the design project for handover.

*For myself and as part of my professional service. I will require a client to give a sign of explicit written approval.

7 ) Package Deliverables – Give it to the client – Handover

The very last step in my creative graphic design process, and something that should be included if the process is to be told in full.

Packaging up your project and handover.

Handover will take place once I have been given the very last sign of approval, and my final invoice has been paid. Once this has all taken place, generally, I will ‘Zip’ the project assets that the client needs and transfer the final artwork to the client.

To further illustrate what this package may contain, it may resemble the following :

JPGs, PNGs, PDFs, Illustrator (AI ) Files, and Photoshop files (PSDs) to name a few. It will depend on what is written in the brief and what the client requires.
This should be stipulated in the ‘specification and agreement’ at the start.

Question | Are there factors that can impact the design process?

My creative graphic design process, like other design processes, can have factors that impact it, as mentioned throughout this post. For example, if there are multiple parties involved in the approval, this can extend the budget required.

Change in project scope partway through a project can impact it, and very human factors can impact it. Such as a client being unable to pay, sickness, or general personal reasons from either party.

Final thoughts about my graphic design process

Avoiding misunderstandings is a priority. Both for my benefit and for the clients. As this post is to highlight and illustrate how my creative process works – I should also draw your attention to how the actual journey and design process can manifest in the real world.

The path is not a straight line…

It is more of a meandering path of process of elimination, whittling down the design ideas so only the strongest are left for selection.

You could also say it is reminiscent of a carving. You may begin with building up the materials and layers for the base form. Once this is set, it can be a case of reducing the form until the final artwork emerges.

For those who are interested, you may be interested in reading this article on a design journey or reading a bit more about the design process as a general overview.

Now let’s design something!

Creative Graphic Design Process – Other Useful Links

Creative Process 3rd Party Links and Sources

External Design Website – Jimmsdesign.co.uk

Credits & Education
Education Source – https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/
College – https://www.aup.ac.uk/

December 8, 2023December 8, 2023

My Adventure Creator Project | Lockdown Foray

My Adventure Creator project…

For those of you who don’t already know, at the start of the lockdown, I set myself the task of creating a graphic adventure game! Or, I should say, I started to learn how to make a graphic adventure game in Unity.

There was a time in Lockdown – what can I say!

For those of you who don’t know me, I studied Multimedia Design and Digital Animation as a follow-up course to my HND in Graphic Design at university. All those years ago! I also have a yellow belt cert in Unity too.

My Adventure Creator Project character sprite

In the early days of the 2000s, Adobe Flash was king, ( Check this blog post out on why to avoid Flash player on another website ) and I used to make a lot of multimedia applications, both personal and commercial. Most of these early projects were micro games or small interactive animations – all of this stuff was pre-smartphone.

My first project on this sort of scale, where I had to try and create my own project, was at University. I set about making an e-learning game for children, which was all built in Flash. Sadly, with the demise of Flash Player, this is tricky to play now although I may still have a projector for the game somewhere.

Here is a picture of it.

Adobe Animate adventure - Adventure Creator Project — Adventure Creator Project – My first project of this scale was in Flash.

From a game creation perspective, In hindsight, really it was a narrative game with educational elements to it. You may also be interested to see in theory how to make a story game in Adobe Animate.

But now to the crunch.

Adventure Creator Project.

Adventure Creator Project | Fools Errand

A name for a game that exists solely as a learning exercise – it could have been called anything really, as I had no intention of monetizing it. The game was based on classic 2D point-and-click graphic adventures that you could buy in the 90’s – the humble point and click game.

You point… and you click.

I created this game a greybox prototype to see how Adventure Creator works. It was something to learn during the Lockdown.

The brief – Learn AC.

My Adventure Creator Project — More can be read on this post on this website – game-gunk.com. Is Adventure Creator good for 2D games?

If you are interested, you can play the game on itch.io. It is free to play with bugs and all. ( however, it should be noted that you can’t save it via the browser version )

My Adventure Creator Project - The tools + GUI

Do I think Adventure Creator with Unity is good?

‘I’ think it is great.

Actually, saying AC ( Adventure Creator ) is good is a massive understatement. It is excellent, I have never been able to assemble a graphic adventure game in the most time and cost-effective way until I used AC. The standard that Adventure Creator offers is just excellent compared to some of the game engines or tool sets I have used in the past.

I have written a post about it on this website – is Adventure Creator good for 2D games on game-gunk.com.

What is my Adventure Creator Project about?

I called it Lost Hat, AKA Fools Errand. The title leaves very little to the imagination of what you need to do.

Who knows where the hat got to?

Or who could be wearing it!

Oh, the trifles of life.

You will need to use your wits to get through this 3 level game to find your hat. Perhaps if I see enough people play it, I might write up a shot hints and tips guide. But I have largely moved on to other things.

Mock up application icon

In-game background – my Adventure Creator Project

The components of the project – AC ( What was involved )

For a personal development project – more than I would care to admit.

This project has a of artwork, basic 2D animation created in Photoshop, some rough and ready characters, Sprites and sprite sheets, sound effects, dialogue, conversations, and logic, and I’ve even decided on a small video clip at the end of the project to see how that would work too. And, of course, Adventure Creator. To summerise it is best to mention it this way.

NPC character sprites
Player character sprites + and custom animations spites
Background artwork
Scene and item artwork ( such as coins )
UI design
End scene video animation ( video )
The AC logo for every object and item that can be interacted with in the game
The Icon artwork
Writing all the dialogue for the game
SFX

Adventure Creator Project | Sprites

The sprites, or the characters, however you’d prefer to see them, comprise of all NPCs, the animals, the main player, and various other bits and pieces that were used in the environment. If it moved or was animated, it was probably a sprite.

To quickly paint these characters in various states of animation, I used Photoshop to sketch and brush in the black and white ‘wash’.

The main player in particular has a 4-way direction and various other obscure animations in its repertoire!

The main player was the most time-consuming to create, even as a rough sketch. 8-direction would have taken more time still.

Adventure Creator Project | The Scenes

I don’t wish to spoil too much of the game just in case you do decide to play it, as there are only three levels. But in each level, there was a background image that was quickly drawn in Photoshop and then imported as an asset to my project.

Adventure Creator Project - background artwork for indie game - grey box black and white

Adventure Creator Project | Motion & Animation

I gave very little time to the motion graphics and animation sadly.

After all, I needed to think about the project as a whole and produce this game it quickly. I was invested more in the learning of Adventure Creator than the actual product itself. However, creating some basic frame-by-frame animations was still essential for making the sprites.

To create basic in-game animations, I used Photoshop and painted a couple of layers with my Wacom Tablet as if I were to make a GIF before exporting out the layers as frames.

How did I feel about the project?

As a semi-personal project learning experience, I feel pretty good about it. This was never going to be a polished game for the whole world to play. I created it so I could learn and share. It was undertaken during the Lockdowns. It was a grey boxing experiment.

The project as a whole, taught me more about AC and how I could potentially create a bigger and bolder game in the future using Adventure Creator.

You can play the game here on Itch.io if interested. Warts and bugs included ( you can’t save via the browser version ). It should be noted that the browser version of the game won’t allow you to save! Enjoy. Or you may find some information on this website interesting if you are at game projects.

You may also find this subject on game-gunk interesting: is Adventure Creator good for 2D?

Without divulging too much. I’m currently remaking an old project in Adventure Creator.

Adventure Creator Project - live in game action — Adventure Creator Project – actual gameplay screenshot.

Adventure Creator Project – Other subjects around making games

September 11, 2023October 3, 2024

Okay Aardman! Wallace & Gromit Project

Aardman Wallace & Gromit Project – flex those Adobe Illustrator muscles. I have a new post to share… kindly, the team over at Paper Engine has now said that I can share and discuss my part in creating some of the packaging concepts for a new range of Wallace & Gromit themed products.

The artwork shown in this post was used to pitch to Aardman for a new range of British designed card products, otherwise known as – Build Your Own, For Paper Engine.

Aardman Wallace & Gromit Project Wrong trousers

Aardman Project | The Brief

The Brief | I was commissioned by Paper Engine to help create the core design for the packaging concepts for a new range of of Wallace and Gromit themed paper products.

Aardman had set up an agreement with Paper Engine for them to come up with a range of products, themed around Wallace & Gromit.

If you don’t know Aardman, they are the animation studio behind Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, Arthur Christmas, and Shaun the Sheep to name a few.

Paper Engine got in touch with me and asked for assistance in coming up with the core packaging concept to pitch to Aardman.

I won’t lie, I was excited and honoured.

Under a strict NDA, I was called in to help come up with some of the core concepts for the new eye-catching packaging.

The NDA has been relaxed now, as the products have been released onto the market. So don’t worry. And I asked the crew over at Paper Engine and they were happy to allow me to show my my part!

(All artwork on this page is the intellectual property of Aardman and Paper Engine. Do not copy, save, or download any of this content for commercial use ).

Packaging For Paper Engine… Which was actually for Aardman

To spill the beans on the projects.

Here is a bit of extra information on the project process. Once Paper Engine had sent the brief across to me, and we did all the admin, the project was set in motion!

Aardman Wallace & Gromit Project | The design process involved…

Coming up with some very early ideas for speech bubbles, titles, typography, backgrounds, and other accents and parts for the project.
Creating a variety of packaging front ideas for both products.
Developing rough designs into polished designs.
These were presented to Aardman ( gulp ).

It should also be said that this project was quite particular and that there were 2 companies involved in the approval process. Nonetheless, it still allowed room for design creativity.

Aardman Wallace & Gromit Project Typography

Aardman Wallace & Gromit Project | Developing The Design

While I was allowed to work conceptually and creatively, I also had to adhere to 2 sets brand guidelines! One set was supplied by Paper Engine for Paper Engine and, the other was for Aardman!

Aardman Wallace & Gromit Project - 2 rockets

Aardman Wallace & Gromit Project | The Delivery

After working on the polished designs, Paper Engine pitched the artwork to Aardman. I was told on the grapevine that they were pleased with the project – with very few changes to the pitch!

Thank you Paper Engine, it was an honour! From there the look and feel for the range was set. It was an awesome project.

How I approached the project

When creating the packaging, I tried to create artwork that was exciting and matched the tone of Wallace & Gromit. I also tried to create packaging concepts that would excite both children and adults if they saw them on the shelf!

‘wow look at that!’

type of thinking with the hopes somebody would pick the product up and purchase it. The product did most of the selling in all fairness, these are very cool products.

Aardman Wallace & Gromit Project | Paper Engine Testimonial

‘We worked with Jimm on some early packaging concepts for our collaboration with Aardman on three Build Your Own kits. He delivered some superb designs which enabled us to get ahead of the curve by keeping the client on board with approvals and saved us some valuable in-house studio hours. We would definitely work with Jimm again in the future when the occasion arises. Top marks. 5 stars.’

Geff – Creative Director, Paper Engine Ltd.

Aardman Wallace & Gromit Project | You may be interested in some of the following

Retail packaging projects
Stem Project samples
Snakes & Ladders type board game
Board game playtesting post

Why not read more on my playtesting post?

3^rd Party

Jimmsdesign Services

Dragon Bone Games ( Board game website )

May 26, 2023March 14, 2024

Working with beta testers for your board game – a story of Beta testing

Working with beta testers… creating board games isn’t easy! A crucial and oftentimes overlooked stage for creating a commercial board game is the beta and alpha testing.

I was commissioned to create a board game prototype to teach children about youth homelessness. My primary role was – mostly – visual design and gameplay, and illustration. And… consulting and guidance on creating a game.

When working with Beta testers, I tried to create an environment that was open and invited constructive feedback.

While I took notes, I allowed the Beta testers to play how it suited them to play. Down to opening up the initial black packaging box to reading the rules, in whichever order they chose.

Setting up the Playtests for a board game prototype

This was my first playtest in quite a while. In the past, I have been involved in both helping to set up alpha testing and the follow-up stages of a Beta test. Beta testing on behalf of a 3rd party client was a new experience for me. And there was a lot involved.

Before preparing 2 different environments for beta testing. I had to get the testers to sign NDAs on behalf of the client.

It should also be noted that a large amount of effort was involved to find both beta testers, and finding a space to carry out the beta testing. Money also needed to be paid to the venue for lunch.

Alpha Testing vs Beta Testing

There are some key differences in the alpha and beta testing stages. With alpha testing, this is often a case of a game or game prototype being experimented with and developed internally. In my case, I was the first tester of the rules. I created the rough rules to see how the game mechanics may work and wrote these down as I went along. This is typically the very early stages of creating a working board or card game. The more alpha testing you can do before going to external beta testing, the better.

Alpha test of game — This is a photo of some of the first game components and alpha

Beta testing the game involved finding other parties to look at and play the game. These people had never read the rules or knew what the game was or anything. Once I sourced the beta testers, found spaces to play the game – this then set about into motion the gameplay.

The beta stage is the more developed stage of creating the game prototype.

Creating the gameplay | My experience of working with beta testers

I was involved in creating the initial gameplay as well as working on all the visual design for game. This was part and parcel of the commission of the game project – from top to bottom. Finding board game testers can be tricky ( external website on finding beta testers ) , but I feel that these beta testers offered tremendous value to creating the board game prototype.

Here are some initial screen grabs from the playtest. An important stage when creating a board game prototype.

The first draft low-fidelity prototype

Working with Beta testers board close up - making a board game

The later stages of the playtest | working with ‘other’ beta testers

I would advise when doing a playtest of your game, to try the game on people you don’t know. ( although I do know Paul here – thanks Paul, Paul is also a drummer I’ll have you know! ) The wider the pool of people… the better. Below are some visuals of the playtesters in action doing their thing!

And me… taking notes on how the game is being played.

Doing these live tests is not always easy on the ears. But they can be essential for making a better and more rounded board game.

A special thank you to the playtesters for this game

This lot should be proud – although the Conwy Council may not know the names of the playtesters I would like to announce who helped make the prototype a more rounded and playable experience.

( me, I was the first tester ) Faye Willets + Family, Helen Edmonds, Jake Joung, Paul Whibley, Steve – and a Special thank you to Liz Chadwick for introducing me to some fellow playtesters!

If you would like any advice or a design service to design your board game you can read more here – freelance board game designer

Are you a playtester?

If you are a playtester for board or card games? Feel free to drop a message across with a bit about you, what you do, where you are based, age, your demographic, and the types of games you like to play. ( please note that many of my playtesters are currently based in the South East – UK )

Are you looking for playtesters?

Playtesters or beta testers can be tricky to find if you are just starting out. This article here on Dragon Bone games About finding playtesters may be helpful – ( Alpha ). Or if in the later stages of development – where to find Beta Testers. ( external website )

Notes – On Prototype

It was a fun project to work on. I would like to say I have no idea what the mass production or future edition of the game will look like but either way – I was happy to be part of the pre-first edition of the gameplay.

Are you looking to create a board game? I was involved in the visual look and feel of the game along with the vector character illustration. Feel free to get in touch if you want to discuss your game project!

Tips For design around board games

3rd Party websites – External

Freelance vector illustration ( jimmsdesign)
Board game design in London and South East area ( jimmsdesign)
How to make a board game prototype – Dragon Bone Games
How much does it cost to make a board game? Dragon Bone Games
What does it cost to make a TTRPG – Dragon Bone Games

Jimmsdesign – Game content and design Copyright Conwy Council and its respective partners ( artwork shown for portfolio purposes only )

October 16, 2020October 16, 2020

How to get into the board game design industry

This post has been written to answer how to get into the board game design industry and what you can do to potentially get through those elusive hidden board game industry doors.

Getting into the board game industry is both simple yet difficult. When you know how and where to look, it Is simple.

When you do not know where to begin, getting into the board game industry is difficult, or at least finding the hidden doors is hard.

Boardgame design is experiencing a creative renaissance and there is no better time to join this growing fun and creative business. Nobody could blame you for wanting to work for a board game company at this time.

Getting involved in the industry is fun, creative, and rewarding!

how to get into board game design industry - header

What does it really mean to be In the board game industry?

Many board game designers are individuals and small teams with board game design being their passion. Their companies and side projects may run secondary to another main source of income.

In other words, their board game companies are paid hobbies that may bring them additional income and fulfilment.

These are all people who have got into the industry and make up for a large portion of the creators behind board games and the creative board game development.

Many of these smaller independent games design companies might be friends, partners, husband and wife teams etc which make up the board game ‘in’ crowd.

To get into the board game design industry, these smaller teams started to create games for the love of making games and published their own.

The smaller studios and tabletop game developers often grow their companies from a side passion to something that can earn money and allow them to continue to make board games.

Of how to get into the board game design industry and get involved with the big publisher to sell your game – that’s a battle in itself and are 2 very different doors into the industry.

Details below, if you are looking at working in the tabletop gaming industry, want to work for a game publisher or sell your game, idea or product then this helpful post is for you.

how to get into the board game design industry and work with smaller publishers and designers

If you are just starting out, looking to change career, or launch a passion project you can start creating your board game now.

There is no harm in starting small on a hobby project and working your way up to the bigger companies later if that is what you want to do.

There is also no shame in working with smaller companies and staying with little studios. By being part of a small team or going solo, you can get hands on experience with game design and development on many levels and in many “departments”.

As with various creative roles in the smaller outfits, it is a great way of being shown the ropes when you are part of a small unit.

But, even getting involved with smaller studios can be a challenge if you don’t want to go solo or you are just starting out.

Here are some tips on how to get into the board game industry and work with smaller developers and publishers.

Steps on how to get involved with (smaller businesses) in the board games industry

1 ) Have an interest in board games! This should be a given, but if you want to create some games, great! If you just want to make quick money, consider other careers.

2 ) Start creating games. Make it all about the game and the enjoyment of creating games. If you are stuck for ideas consider making a personal game project with a pencil and paper. You can make a fan game to, like this website shows – how to create a HeroQuest style game.

3 ) Take an interest in other games that have been created. Ideas rarely come from nowhere! Show interest in what types of games you like to play.

4 ) Sign up to board game forums and become an active member

5 ) Hang around with board game creators! You can attend various meetups and casual board game events

6 ) Network work extensively

Network with games companies - into the board game design

That list of steps is a simplified way of what you can do to get into the tabletop gaming business and work with the smaller studios and independent makers.

There are many ways of accessing the industry and at varying levels.

And to be involved – is to be involved!

Enjoy games and meet people that also enjoy creating games, make connections In the gaming field.

how to access the board game industry and sell your game (small scale)

If you want to get serious and commercialise your game, meeting the right people is both important to this goal and challenging.

But how do you make these all-important contacts?

It is a case of where to be and where to look.

The most simple first step to making some initial contact in the industry is by going onto forums, looking at board game directories, and seeing what companies you find on Google.

This is the most straightforward, but in my opinion – not the most effective solution for making contacts in the board game industry.

Meeting face-to-face and showing what you can do is better. You can build up a rapport and discuss board games there and then. Be it at a show or a networking event.

So ‘where’ to meet these contacts and get into the board game design industry.

Get involved with the board game industry by attending shows and conventions

One of the best ways of getting involved with the board game industry is by showing up to conventions and shows and saying “hi”. Go to the boardgame stands, say hello and talk about your passion and see where it may lead!

Going to conventions and shows will also broaden your view on the industry as a whole. You get to meet companies that focus on party games, board games for the family, adult games, card games, poker games, RPG’s, science fiction, fantasy, games for young children!

There are too many to list.

Going to shows is a big way to build those all-important contacts.

Another way of getting into the industry, is through self-proclamation!

how to get into board game design industry - publish your own!

Self-publish your board game! “I am a board game developer”

I am a board game designer! Therefore, I am part of the board game industry!.

Another way to get into the board game design industry is by creating your own games and products. You may have already created your own game or aspire to create a game. By actually creating a game or products around gaming you can say –

“You are part of the board game industry”

To what capacity? That can be left to interpretation.

Creating a game and building a board game design career

The main focus of this article is on how to get into the board game design industry and creating your own games is early access to this.

I do not wish to deviate too much into the intricacies of creating a board game in this article. Creating board games is a skill in itself that deserves more than just a few sentences.

You can read more on creating a retail-ready game here if you want to focus on board game creation and selling your own products.

If you would like help with creating your game, you may also wish to look at the board game design services page or get in touch via my contact form.

Creating your first game or board game product is a great way of getting into board game creation. You can learn a lot from even just making a prototype. You can either pitch your prototype to a company or look at selling it yourself.

Getting involved with the big board game publishers (selling to and working with)

Getting into the board game design industry is challenge number 1. Eg create a game or fan game) and show what you can do. Set up a business.

But.

Working ‘with’ or ‘in’ the BIG board game companies is a separate challenge in itself, and tough inner circle to break into.

Because it is hard to get into, it certainly doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth it. Especially from a financial or publicity standpoint.

Here are few listed benefits as to why getting your board game into a larger board game can help your and your board game development career.

The benefits of getting your game in with a big company (selling your game)

Larger market penetration and industry coverage. The larger board game companies – publishers and distributors are more likely to have the retail and business channels to sell more copies of your board game in higher volumes. They might be good to approach after you have also (potentially) created a Kickstarter, if crowdfunding is a path you take.
Great marketing for your board game. At first, getting your name out there can be a huge advantage for the future and for growing your board game design business.
More revenue – Having more revenue isn’t the same as having a higher margin (making more money per individual unit) The the big retailers are likely to shift larger volumes of your game than just you on your own.

More on the example below.

Selling your game through a larger board game company vs do it yourself – rough example

Although “do it yourself” is a great way of getting into the board game industry, you will have to out a lot of energy into multiple avenues of the business. As opposed to the bigger business may be able to sell your game in larger volumes.

Do it yourself method

You sell 100 units, throw all of your time and energy into distribution and logistics – earn £3 (profit) unit for example per game. You take away £300

Selling your game through a large publisher or distributor (getting involved with the companies)

As an example, you sell 10,000 units through a board game publisher or distribution company and earn £2 per unit. (rough example – NEVER a guarantee)

Per unit, that is less.…

The publishers will take a larger cut – BUT – you earn £2 x 10,000 = £20,000. The bigger companies have access and possibly bigger selling power.

Not only will you be more likely to sell higher volumes through a board game distributor or publisher. It will allow you to focus more on board game development and design. If that is what you want to do.

To get involved with the large publishers can be difficult if you are starting out in your career. The next section focuses on how to get into the board game design industry and work with the big board game companies.

“The easier you make it for the businesses to sell your game and increase ‘their’ revenue. The easier you will make it for yourself.”

How to get your board game into the big companies, publishers and retailers

If you are board game designer and developer or an aspiring creator! You may have ambitions to get your game into the big publishers and distributors.

As with any businesses, and contrary to popular belief, most companies and buyers are risk-averse. If working with you and your game proves to be a potential risk with weak financial returns, they won’t sell your game.

To get involved with the big companies in the board game industry, make your game retail-ready and full or promise.

The easier you make it for the businesses to sell your game and increase ‘their’ revenue. The easier you will make it for yourself.

In other words, earn more revenue for them and earn more revenue yourself.

Sell your game - into the board game design

Getting yourself and your board game ready for retail

In order to get into the board game industry, I have written a couple of design-focused entrepreneurial tips that will help you in creating a game for retail in mind.

Creating your game and playing it is one thing but creating game that gets the attention of the bigger businesses is another.

Ways you can pitch a retail-ready game.

* it should be noted that reading posts and saying “is that all” it takes is not the best mindset to start on. Creating games and creating games ready to be sold is a big time consuming effort and can be a labour of love many.

Tick boxing alone, will not guarantee the success of a game. Use your initiative, use critical thinking, and be prepared to try and try again to crack that industry!

How to work for a board game company (in house, freelance)

To work for a board game company you need to prove that you can work in a relevant field in the board game industry and also work as part of a team!

There are various skills, roles and departments for budding games designers to consider :

– Boardgame designer
– Graphic designer and artists
– Illustrator and artists
– Concept artist
– Writers and board game editors
– Story writing
– 3D modellers
– Sculptors (traditional and 3D)
– Moulders and casters
– 3D printing services
– Prototype makers
– Card designers and printers
– Logistics and warehouses
– E-tailers and retailers
– Play testers
– Sales
– Administrative positions!
– Translators

Also, being a creative director, producer or MD.

To answer “how to work for a board game company“, be it freelance, contract, or in-house, you should consider working on skills that will lend itself to the game company you wish to work for or with.

As with the list of skills and roles above, this is a glance at some or the roles and departments available that you can work in. If you wish to work in a more permanent position at a company or a board game publisher you should network and look on job boards to find the ideal position for you.

You may also need to be prepared to move location for most jobs if you wish to work in-house.

What is the ‘best’ way of getting work in the board game industry?

There isn’t a single and clear cut path of how to get into the board game industry, each journey and career will be unique to the individual.

To choose which is the best way, as based on opinion, experience, and observations on how to get into the board games business. I would say the following are some of the best and most prominent ways of getting into the tabletop gaming industry.

1) Have a passion for tabletop games or/and creating games

2) Meet the right people for your game niche and share passion, knowledge, and skills with games and creating games.

3) Attend trade shows and make contacts. Network with other board game creators * ( personnel and favourite/ best method)

4) Look on jobs boards in the creative industries and dedicated board game communities. Facebook and Board game geek

5) ‘Niche’ on a certain skills and keep scouring the communities equipped with a portfolio or examples of what you can do!

6 ) And above all else – the best way on getting into the board games is to keep trying if you are passionate about board games!

“We found these contacts mostly through trade shows and events.“

How to get into board game design industry | A firsthand account

I wanted to discuss my first-hand account of how I became involved in the board game industry and how you may find my story interesting or helpful in your creative journey!

Game example - into the board game design

I was involved In creating a party game at my previous job. It was created as part of “Product Development – innovation engine” which was a weekly process that was rolled out from 2016.

I and the team at the time realised that a game might be popular. It was inspired by something a colleague had seen on TV. I was sceptical initially but I was won around. (good job!)

We spent a few months designing and developing a party game.

The game was a commercial success and we went on to develop more products and expansion at the request of a large board game retailer. This opened a very wide door to more investment.

From there other retailers also requested the game. It grew in popularity in the UK.

We found these contacts mostly through trade shows and events. They were a mixture of board game distribution companies, smaller retailers, and high-street shops.

That was my first-hand experience in working commercially in board games and 1 first-hand example of how to get into the board games industry.

Off my own back.

I then started to find more contacts at conventions and shows. Many of the these people I networked with were a mixture of small independent game designers to larger-scale board game developers.

And to this day, I am always looking for ways of building new contacts and ways I can help independent board game developers create their game.

That was an (‘is’) part of my professional journey.

An example of how to start early – get your children to start making games!

This is an example of somebody that has the will and drive to create something they love! This person was undeterred by pessimism, cynicism, and the knowledge of money!

Just the want and the like of creating their own game. I think there is a lesson us adults we can learn here.

* For confidentially, I cannot mention in detail about the parties involved.

I wanted to draw your attention to this prototype by a budding game designer. ( my part was in the visual and creative design + getting it ready to look at )

The client started first by drawing a rough game on post-it notes and mapping out the game.

Self-publish game - into the board game design

They had already playtested and worked out the mechanics before contacting me. They just wanted to figure out “how to make it”.

From the rough prototype. I came up with visuals, character vectors and ideas how it would look and what was going on.

I had the joy of designing the box art, the game cards, conceptualising and creating the dinosaurs, the caveman, tokens, and the board!

This is an example of what you can do if you decide to go down the self-publish route.

Create a pitch ready prototype!

how to get into board game design industry printed!

Having something physical to show looks both professional and that you are serious and passionate about the board game industry. This will be your early steps of how to get into the board game design industry

People are often tactile and like to look by touch also.

How to get into the board game design industry – The final answer

To consolidate and simplify the answer, there are a couple of main routes on how to work in the board games industry.

The main path is by making the right contacts at shows, conventions, and events – meeting the right people in senior positions at board game companies will put you at a strong advantage.

Another alternative way of getting into the board game industry is by creating and publishing your own game and making yourself part of the industry.

The final point for you to get into the industry is by looking at niche board game job boards or job boards in creative industries. Look on Facebook and Board Game Geek also

With many creative businesses – a big part of it is, who you know, what you can do.

Love (or like) what you do!

that is how you can get into the board game industry. Persistence, passion, and having a lot of good relevant business contacts in the business. And trial and error, luck and determination.

If you have found this post helpful, feel free to share. All the best in your board game creation career.

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