The author has pointed out that the copy I featured in the video was a black and white review copy - NOT the retail edition which is in full colour! (The publisher didn't tell me this... or I would have made it clear). So my only complaint about the book appears to be a non-issue! :)
The irony of good design is that when it's done well, it looks obvious -- that anyone can make it pleasing to use and easy to understand. In fact, it's not easy. It takes a lot of work and requires a lot of iteration.
I just found Daniel's YT page recently; such a great resource. There are virtually zero other people talking about graphic design for board games specifically.
Ah! It looks like the publisher sent you a black and white advance reader copy. The retail edition is in full color. As for the general layout of the book itself? Yeah, I ironically didn't have much authority on that part of the process. :P I hope it's still useful!
It’s great! :) Sorry I didn’t know it was an advance copy - or I wouldn’t have stressed that point! Hopefully the video is still positive enough that it will pique the interest of plenty of designers though!
Hi Daniel, I bought the book on Amazon last week and the version I received was also in Black and White, which was a shame to see. Wanted to flag in case you weren't aware, and if you can advise on how I could get the colour version instead?
@@m_whelan Thanks for letting me know. It seems the UK printer had erroneously fulfilled their copies in grayscale. If you report this error to the publisher, they should get you a replacement.
Hi Adam. Just to say thank you for everything you've done on this channel. I only discovered you about a year ago but I've learned a great deal in my own games design journey. Built and ordered my first game from Launch Tabletop recently (just a personal copy for playing with friends) and I'm looking forward to seeing what it looks like when it arrives. Keep up the great and inspiring work.
Hi Adam, I'm also in Wales! Many thanks for covering this topic and pointing this book out. It will be very useful in my design persuits. Great channel by the way.
This is absolutely amazing! I'm graphic designing my own games right now and this book sounds perfect to make it look less.. amateurish! Cheeers! Awesome video as always!!
Great - good to hear! You may have already seen it but I made a video about designing for kids :) How to design a board game for CHILDREN ruclips.net/video/LN0aEU1a9fI/видео.html
Highly recommend the other book in the series so far: Thematic Integration in Board Game Design by Sarah Shipp. I’ve read it and it’s fantastic! I’ll be picking this one up too. Thanks for the review!
Happy New Year Carl.I’ve been trying to get a review copy of Sarah’s book to read! If I’m unsuccessful I’ll probably pick up a copy anyway, since I keep hearing good things about it :)
I like the font choices for Archeology & Aladdin is Dragons; they suit the theme. Problem is, over the past ~30 years, it's become too easy to create printed art on computers. The average person chooses "creative" fonts for the wrong purposes, so we've been trained to associate those fonts with non-professional art. Also, Old != bad.
Is there a section about color choices? Color in the UK, I’m in the US so color is correct here. I’m always unsure about what player colors to use, what colors are easy to distinguish vs what colors are hard to distinguish -particularly for the various types of color impaired people.
As a somewhat colour blind game player, game designer and graphic designer is strongly recommend combining colour with shape and iconography if it matters mechanically.
Hi Adam, you may not be able to answer this but what kind of royalty split is typical when getting a board game published? Or does that depend on previous success, reputation in the industry etc? Any info would be appreciated thanks
Hello I have something of interest I have an old board game idk if you know ot but was hoping u can help its an Nominations the motion picture award winning board game- limited edition 83/200 And I have no info on it
I feel like the the days of good games being able to get by with sub-par art and graphic design (Bohnanza…) are long gone. Unfortunately we are now in a space where flashy kickstarter games with enticing art and design can sell even if the actual game isn’t anything special.
I think you’re right about sub-par graphics not getting by in the current market. Flashy graphics might result in a big chunk of sales upfront - especially on Kickstarter where you can’t try before you buy - but I think it would be rare for with games to have sustained sales in the long run. I guess that doesn’t matter to the designer/publisher making a quick buck! But it’s not a route to long term success.
The author has pointed out that the copy I featured in the video was a black and white review copy - NOT the retail edition which is in full colour! (The publisher didn't tell me this... or I would have made it clear). So my only complaint about the book appears to be a non-issue! :)
haha. I figured this was the case. Often happens with review copies!
I just got my copy and it is in black and white...
The irony of good design is that when it's done well, it looks obvious -- that anyone can make it pleasing to use and easy to understand. In fact, it's not easy. It takes a lot of work and requires a lot of iteration.
I just found Daniel's YT page recently; such a great resource. There are virtually zero other people talking about graphic design for board games specifically.
Ah! It looks like the publisher sent you a black and white advance reader copy. The retail edition is in full color.
As for the general layout of the book itself? Yeah, I ironically didn't have much authority on that part of the process. :P
I hope it's still useful!
It’s great! :) Sorry I didn’t know it was an advance copy - or I wouldn’t have stressed that point! Hopefully the video is still positive enough that it will pique the interest of plenty of designers though!
Hi Daniel, I bought the book on Amazon last week and the version I received was also in Black and White, which was a shame to see. Wanted to flag in case you weren't aware, and if you can advise on how I could get the colour version instead?
@@m_whelan Thanks for letting me know. It seems the UK printer had erroneously fulfilled their copies in grayscale. If you report this error to the publisher, they should get you a replacement.
@@DanielSolis Amazing, thanks for getting back so quickly. Will reach out to the publisher today
Just finished the first chapter on Typography. It is so simple to understand and conceptual at the same time. ❤
Understanding Comics is such a great book 📖
@@1vsm so much of it is directly applicable for rulebook layout.
Hi Adam. Just to say thank you for everything you've done on this channel. I only discovered you about a year ago but I've learned a great deal in my own games design journey. Built and ordered my first game from Launch Tabletop recently (just a personal copy for playing with friends) and I'm looking forward to seeing what it looks like when it arrives.
Keep up the great and inspiring work.
Thanks for the kind words! Glad my videos have helped you :)
Hi Adam, I'm also in Wales! Many thanks for covering this topic and pointing this book out. It will be very useful in my design persuits. Great channel by the way.
Just found this channel a bit ago, wonderful stuff! Amazing content, excellently delivered!
Thx for that. Ordered one… I hope it helps me with the new game.
This is absolutely amazing! I'm graphic designing my own games right now and this book sounds perfect to make it look less.. amateurish! Cheeers! Awesome video as always!!
I just started designing my own board game for kids and your videos are a blessing
Great - good to hear! You may have already seen it but I made a video about designing for kids :)
How to design a board game for CHILDREN
ruclips.net/video/LN0aEU1a9fI/видео.html
@@AdaminWales will check it out thanks!
Highly recommend the other book in the series so far: Thematic Integration in Board Game Design by Sarah Shipp. I’ve read it and it’s fantastic!
I’ll be picking this one up too. Thanks for the review!
Happy New Year Carl.I’ve been trying to get a review copy of Sarah’s book to read! If I’m unsuccessful I’ll probably pick up a copy anyway, since I keep hearing good things about it :)
A Big Fan here from Paraguay.
I like the font choices for Archeology & Aladdin is Dragons; they suit the theme. Problem is, over the past ~30 years, it's become too easy to create printed art on computers. The average person chooses "creative" fonts for the wrong purposes, so we've been trained to associate those fonts with non-professional art.
Also, Old != bad.
Is there a section about color choices? Color in the UK, I’m in the US so color is correct here. I’m always unsure about what player colors to use, what colors are easy to distinguish vs what colors are hard to distinguish -particularly for the various types of color impaired people.
@@paulwoodmansee yep! The book does discuss color accessibility and non-chromatic techniques for distinguishing components.
As a somewhat colour blind game player, game designer and graphic designer is strongly recommend combining colour with shape and iconography if it matters mechanically.
Hi Adam, you may not be able to answer this but what kind of royalty split is typical when getting a board game published? Or does that depend on previous success, reputation in the industry etc? Any info would be appreciated thanks
Here’s a video I made which covers that!
Getting Paid | Board Game Contracts Explained: Part 2
ruclips.net/video/bUteKCkWGxc/видео.html
@AdaminWales thanks i really appreciate that, only just found these videos. Love your delivery and honesty about the process!! Really helpful
Hello I have something of interest I have an old board game idk if you know ot but was hoping u can help its an
Nominations the motion picture award winning board game- limited edition 83/200
And I have no info on it
Can provide photos
I feel like the the days of good games being able to get by with sub-par art and graphic design (Bohnanza…) are long gone. Unfortunately we are now in a space where flashy kickstarter games with enticing art and design can sell even if the actual game isn’t anything special.
I think you’re right about sub-par graphics not getting by in the current market.
Flashy graphics might result in a big chunk of sales upfront - especially on Kickstarter where you can’t try before you buy - but I think it would be rare for with games to have sustained sales in the long run. I guess that doesn’t matter to the designer/publisher making a quick buck! But it’s not a route to long term success.
I really love the artwork for Bohnanza!
Funny, im an concept artist/visual designer but i cant design a game