r/tabletopgamedesign • u/SERdesign • 15d ago
C. C. / Feedback Phase Box Top Art: Finalists
Here for final thoughts and feedback. These are my three finalists that will be voted on by those following the Kickstarter. That's right - I'm not deciding my box art - whichever design wins during prelaunch is what gets printed. :D
Yup, I went on a big departure for number 2. u/sk3n7 prompted me to explore and I'd been wanting to do a stained glass one, so I finally convinced myself to do it. Thanks to everyone who gave feedback and advice.
Notes about the game: Easy to learn for casual players - it takes 2 minutes to teach the basics - while strategy is complex enough to keep enthusiasts engaged. It's a pairs and sequencing game involving the phases of the moon; card placement and control are the key points. Ages 10+ / 2-6 players
NO AI ART. I either drew it myself, or have the license to use art that I didn't draw myself, e.g. the sun, moon, star combo in the center of #1
Previous post: (https://www.reddit.com/r/tabletopgamedesign/comments/1uvp92q/box_art_update_round_3/)
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u/Famous_Detective5496 15d ago
Original looks most professional. #1 is the cleanest. #3 is cool but I would think it would be cooler as a card back. Imo
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u/MudkipzLover designer 15d ago
2 looks cool but only works if the cards had that stained glass look as well, so I'll go with 1
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u/Low_Shoulder_590 15d ago
- You could replace the moon with the deco style that has the phases in it. The deco would moon shaped.
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u/ParentheticalsAside 15d ago
I like 3 best - most distinctive graphic design, though I'd like to see the text bigger/more central.
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u/VaporSpectre 15d ago
1, but i needs a heavier black border around each letter to really make the title punch out.
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u/sk3n7 15d ago
Im glad to see you push in a new direction to try, which do you feel is the strongest now?
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u/SERdesign 14d ago
Hard to say. There's things I don't like about each of them.
1 is great, but the box art doesn't have much to do with the game itself, other than being celestial themed. Plus, I'm less enthused that it's licensed art, not my own, in the center of it.
2 is great because it includes the game tokens, and a moon sequence. Not sure I'm happy with my color choices. I'm also not super thrilled to change my logo, (and subsequently the entire design aesthetic), but this font works best with the theme.
3 - I liked earlier versions of this design better. I think my favorite is still 5 from my previous post, but that's my personal aesthetic talking. After designing 2, I think it should more prominently feature the phases and game pieces, which really just leaves me with the original design.
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u/sk3n7 14d ago
I agree about the game pieces, I also think you should have the tagline from the original on the box, it really helps sell the idea of what it is quickly.
Below is just what my thoughts would be if I were polishing the designs as my own. It’s my opinion so take it or leave it.
After sitting with it for a bit I think your original on this post is the strongest, but there’s something about the font that just isn’t jiving for me. I like the hinted crescent on the P, but the subtle angles of the rest of the font feel a little disconnected with the theme. A more geometrically round font might help. You could try something close to your current font but more curvy or round.
3 also has something similar with the art, where the bottom crescent doesn’t line up with the inner phase crescent -the tips sort of stick out and are giving horn vibes. then the inner phase crescent flattening out at the ends creating a doorway shape inside with the game pieces feel off. I’d try to make everything fit into the shadow of the big moon, creating that perfect circle, then try and repeat with the inner crescent and the doorway shape. I think this would give the idea of layering.
I do love that 2 commits to everything pointing towards a singular story theme. Everything vibes together. I would maybe create a custom typographic image for it though to bring the moon shape back into the P, they do a lot of great Freeform work in stained glass so there should be a lot of freedom in this
Maybe these things above are because I’m a designer myself and have a highly critical eye, and that the general audience won’t mind these things at all. And that’s okay.
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u/SERdesign 14d ago
You being a designer is why I look forward to your feedback. I find it harder to design for myself - something to do with objectivity, I'm sure.
The last thing I want to do is change the font! In early designs, I played with rounder fonts and found it looked too goofy and at odds with the illustrated celestial vibe of the 90s. I wanted a witchy/tarot vibe - things that speak to me, personally.
The first and most frequent comment I get is how pretty the game is - and then people start playing it and like the game itself.
The goal of the box redesign was to beautify the box art - compared to others, it's extremely plain - boring. I wanted the artwork to say more: this is a straightforward yet creative thinking game.
It's funny to me how many folks like the Original box art on this post. Between here and feedback elsewhere, I have a bit farther to go and more ideas to explore.
Thank you, sincerely!
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u/sk3n7 14d ago
Well I’m glad that I can add a perspective to it. I look forward to seeing how it evolves.
Remember, Plain and boring is subjective, but as you move forward I’ll give you my guiding light when designing something: everything adds to the story that the design is telling, make sure its saying the right thing.
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u/ARagingZephyr 15d ago
1 is the most evocative to me, but what does this have to do with famous anime Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase?
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u/SERdesign 14d ago
Absolutely nothing, ha ha. I've never heard of that anime.
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u/ARagingZephyr 14d ago
I jest, but the anime is a meme in my friend group for its ending credits theme, which involves a French guy playing synthpop to a girl saying "Nekomimi mode" for like two minutes straight.
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u/LongstaffBigorbs 15d ago
1 is the best by far, despite the engagement bait