Process Book

Elya Salikharova Process Book

Design Thesis 2024

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Introduction

Breaker is a fast-paced board game set in a cyberpunk world where two teams, Bandits and Officers, collide.

The goal? Smack opponents aside, claim squares, and emerge victorious.

Breaker is a modern take on a classic hobby, designed for strategic thinking.

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What is Cyberpunk?

Science fiction’s subgenre imagines a dystopian future in which advanced technology has overtaken society and divided it into classes for the haves and the have-nots.

The genre frequently examines virtual reality, hacking, artificial intelligence and how technology affects people.

Content

12 20 28 PROJECT OVERVIEW

RESEARCH

CREATIVE DEVELOPEMENT

50 62 78 BRAND IDENTITY

DELIVERABLES

TIME MANAGEMENT AND REFLECTION

PROJECT OVERVIEW 12

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Target Auidence

Breaker is primary for teenagers 16+. Targeting adults who enjoy strategic board games and are comfortable with images of weapons, blood and themes involving conflict and competition.

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Key Insights

Create a board game with an eye-catching cyberpunk design to attract individuals who have never played board games before.

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Contract

Problem In today’s digital age, classic board games are losing their popularity.

The problem is how to bring back the joy of playing board games in a world dominated by digital entertainment.

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Goal

Design Challenge

Revive the joy of playing board games by creating a new game that attracts both traditional board gamers and those who have never played before. The purpose of this game is to smack your opponents to the side as you claim squares in your quest for victory.

The board game will include 2 decks with 34 cards in each deck, in total 68 cards.

Create a board game from scratch, covering the game concept, cards, box, map, heroes, and enemies.

Design Deliverables 1) The primary deliverable for this project will be the board game itself, comprising two decks, each containing 32 cards, resulting in a total of 64 cards. Additionally, the deliverable will include a game map featuring distinct squares within, providing the spatial context for gameplay. The entire package will be housed in a

Student: Elya Salikharova January 16th, 2024

specially designed box, ensuring a comprehensive and visually cohesive gaming experience.

2) The secondary deliverable will be 6 posters.

The posters will showcase the game theme, characters, and gameplay mechanics and will serve for promotion.

Professor: Paul Haslip January 16th, 2024 19

CREATIVE RESEARCH RESEARCH DEVELOP 20

PEMENT

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Inspiring Project

Back then I struggled to find a project I would do for my Thesis.

So I asked myself a few questions.

What projects inspire me?

I have always enjoyed playing board games and trading cards like Magic The Gathering, Monopoly, Codenames and Tic Tac K.O. Cute vs Evil. These games develop strategic thinking and decision-making.

Each card I play and every move I make can have a significant impact on the outcome. This strategic depth keeps me engaged and challenged. Another reason I love these games its art and aesthetics.

Many trading card games feature stunning artwork on their cards.

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Why did I choose this project? What did I find interesting or inspiring?

Magic: The Gathering was chosen for this research because it represents an enduring and influential example of a trading card game that has captivated players and collectors for decades. Its blend of strategic gameplay, complex card interactions, and rich lore makes it a fun subject to study.

What topic(s) play a role my inspiring project?

The initial goal of the design team behind Magic: The Gathering, led

by Richard Garfield, was to create a game that combined elements of strategy and collectibility. They aimed to provide players with a deep and engaging gaming experience while also introducing the concept of collectible cards, allowing players to customize their decks and collections over time.

The project team wanted to create a game that could sustain longterm interest and foster a sense of community among players.

I discovered a passion for board games and trading cards, leading me to choose them as the focus of my thesis project. Even though a lot is required for the primary deliverable, I am ready to take on this challenge.

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Contextual Research

Some research was carried out to get a sense of what’s going on in my area of interest What is happening in your area of interest?

Locally? Around the world?

Locally Local card shops and events are getting busier due to more people being interested in collectible card games like Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering.

Around the world Trading cards, especially rare ones, are selling for very high prices at auctions and online.

There are also digital trading cards called NFTs gaining popularity.

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What is innovative in your area?

Unique Mechanics Introducing novel game mechanics or combining existing mechanics in fresh ways can make a game stand out. Mechanics dictate how players interact with the game components and each other, so innovative mechanics can lead to new player experiences.

Cool Packaging Cards now come in fancy packages with awesome designs to make them more appealing.

Unique Abilities Each card can offer players a distinct ability, power, or effect, providing them with strategic options and creating interesting decisions. Innovative card games may introduce new types of abilities or combine existing ones in creative ways.

Mind Map

AREA CONTROL

DEXTERITY

COOPERATIVE GAMES

Trading Cards

FORUMS

EVENTS

TYPES BOX

SOCIAL MEDIA

STORAGE SLEEVES

COMMUNITY

BINDERS

BOARD GAMES CARD BOX

IN-PERSON

TRADING HISTORY COLLECTING

ONLINE

MARKETPLACE

EVOLUTION HOBBY

INVESTING 25

Statistics

19%

a fifth of the global population lists playing board games or cards as one of their hobbies.

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43% 38% 57%

of Canada board game market is composed of hobby games.

of Gen Z in Canada enjoy playing board games.

of the gamers own between 1 to 25 card and board games.

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CREATIVE DEVELOP 28

PEMENT

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Moodboards

To start things off, I createda series of mood boards that drew from a variety of sources and styles: Cyberpunk, Cartoon, Anime.

Styles that resonate with my target auidence of teenagers.

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Cyberpunk

Neon High-Tech

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Techno Charm — Display Type OCR Extended — Body Type

Cartoony

Playful

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Dynamic Costa Std Bold — Display Type Futura Now Headline — Body Type

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Anime

Cinematic

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Expressive Bilo Extra Bold- Display Type Brother 1816 — Body Type

Naming

Next, I generated as many naming possibilities as I could think of. Here is the list of names I found relevant to the brand message and would clearly showcase the purpose of the game — smacking your enemy

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Smackdown Showdown

Strategy of offence

Breaker

Cyber Assault

Bandit Brawl

Strategy of assault

Break Assault

Attackers

Map Mayhem

Assaulting Strategy

Cyber Assault

Cyber Assault

Law vs. Outlaw

Strategic Assault

Strategic Assault

Commander board

Street Smackdown

Battle Station

Battle Station

City Assault

Hit ‘n Run

Breakstage

Breakstage

Commander Breaker

Board of Assault

Breakpoint

Breakpoint

Commander stage

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Naming Rationale Breaker, a strategic board game, rocks a single-word title for its catchy appeal. It is all about dynamic territorial conquest.

The sliced letters add that extra “breaking” vibe, making the game pop with intensity.

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Digital Sketches I started my logo with exploring visual possibilities for my naming.

I explored different dynamic cyberpunk typefaces. I’ve crafted some typefaces, sliced letters and graphics to convey the brand message of my game — Division.

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BREAKER BREAKER BREAKER

BREAKER

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Playing Cards

LOREM IPSUM

Front Next, I dove into the cyberpunk style, immersing myself in its texture and visuality. I watched tutorials on creating the cyberpunk aesthetic and used that inspiration to design the cards.

UNIT

REGULAR

Lorem ipsum Lorem ipsum dolor dolo sit amet, , consectetur elit. co nsectetur adipiscing adip t Proin Pr in fermentum. fermentum.

I developed templates for both bandits and officers each reflecting distinct characteristics.

3/1

LOREM IPSUM LOR U

UNIT

REGULAR

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1/3

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Back Additionally, I have crafted multiple design options for the back of the cards, offering dynamic and aesthetic appeal.

1 /2

1 /2

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drone operator

Empowerment

offense

Artwork & Text I used Artificial Intelligence to create artwork. Based on the card’s type and name I asked AI to create the artwork blending cyberpunk and vaporwave styles.

However, the AI’s output wasn’t always accurate — it could create ugly bandits with 6 fingers and 4 hands in horror style. So I spent time reviewing and editing the images to match my vision.

UNIT

mythical

Play on the front line or around a rare unit. You can see your opponent's cards. Each time your unit dies, a drone appears around the Drone Operator.

special order

uncommon

Every unit moves forward by one square.

special order

Regular

Inc Increases creases the strength st of two o units u nits s by 1.

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pyromaniac

Chemist Pyroimaniac

fearless punk

After refining the process, I achieved visually striking images that I wanted and placed them on cards.

Speaking of text, I have played a lot of strategic board games, these games I used as a reference to come up with the text and naming.

UNIT

RARE

Play only P only on on the the front lines. e Select Sel lect an enemy enemy unit on the e same am l ine. Punk Punk immediately immed e to its it line. moves square in combat. squ are and engages engag a

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commander

UNIT

Effects dealing damage outside combat deal +1 additional damage , 3 orders per turn.

Play y only only the front fr line.Deals e s 3 damage standing da mage e to the the first f n enemy en my u unit same line. on the same

uncommon

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Packaging

Ideas In brainstorming ideas for my packaging, I first defined my brand message: Division, representing the competitive split between the Bandits and Officers. From there, I explored concepts that visually depicted this division. I thought about the inserts as well for cards.

I decided to do the box that is on the bottom.

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Dieline for Box

Due to my limited experience, I falied a lot. it took several attempts and many prototypes before I got it right.

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1,28’’

6, 63’’

1, 3’’

4,6’’

3, 375’’

4,6’’

I began creating the packaging for my board game with a dieline for the box. I used binder board to create a rigid box which is made out of wood to ensure durability.

Using Adobe Illustrator, I designed the box’s dieline and then laser– cut it in the lab. The binder board couldn’t be folded so I measured each side separately.

3, 375’’

My packaging wasn’t simple.

It was tricky and hard in production. It demanded precise calculations, a significant investment of time, money, effort and tears.

Bandits

V

Dieline for Artwork VS

Officers

I lacked experience in creating dielines for artwork, leading to several mistakes in my initial attempts. Primarily, I made the error of cutting each side separately, resulting in artwork that wouldn’t wrap around the box seamlessly. Additionally, I realized that using blunt knives led to uneven and messy cuts.

I wanted to enhance my skills, so I actively worked in the lab every day for 5-7 hours to create a perfect packaging.

Speaking of the artwork, the artwork on the front is AIgenerated and edited by me.

Bandits Embark on an exhilarating journey with Breaker, the dynamic board game set in a cyberpunk universe. Choose your side—Bandits or Officers—and engage in strategic clashes.

Control the battlefield, claim territory, and smack your opponent. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or new to the tabletop world, Breaker promises excitement and thrills for players of all levels.

2 players

Ages 16+

30-60 min

VS

Officers Embarquez pour un voyage exaltant avec Breaker, le jeu de société dynamique se déroulant dans un univers cyberpunk.

Choisissez votre camp (Bandits ou Officiers) et participez à des affrontements stratégiques. Contrôlez le champ de bataille, revendiquez des territoires et frappez votre adversaire. Que vous soyez un joueur chevronné ou un nouveau venu dans le monde des jeux de table, Breaker promet de l'excitation et des sensations fortes aux joueurs de tous niveaux.

2 joueurs

16 ans et plus

30-60 min

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Dieline for Inserts

6.67’’

4.38’’

The last thing that I did for the packaging was inserts. I laser-cut 3 layers of cardboard. The layers were colored in black and inserted in the box

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Counters I used clear acrylic and clear sticker paper. I laser cut the clear acrylic in a rounded shape and printed it on a sticker paper artwork, then cut and taped it on acrylic.

1,8 cm

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Posters/ Booklets

Poster upside down Cover upside down

Prototypes I really wanted to create a series of posters that could fold into a booklet. After completing numerous pieces of amazing artwork for the cards, I selected some of them to feature on my posters. As it is a series of posters, I aimed to ensure consistency and convey the brand message of Division and the brand language for the back big poster. To achieve this, I edited AI-generated images, maintaining the same colors and incorporating a cyberpunk texture.

17’’

11’’

Poster 5.5 x 7.5’’

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Introduction

Before & After

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BRAND IDENTITY 50

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Brand Strategy

Our mission is to reintroduce the timeless appeal of board games to a new generation of enthusiasts and newcomers.

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Why are we here?

What makes us different?

Our ambition

We are here to rekindle the joy, excitement, and memorable experiences of classic board gaming in today’s digital age.

What makes us different is our dedication to blending classic and modern gaming with a unique cyberpunk style. Our board games offer a fresh, futuristic twist on timeless classics.

Our long-term aim is to become the go-to destination for individuals aged 18-35 seeking unique and enjoyable board gaming experiences. We aspire to revitalize the board gaming hobby in this digital age, creating a community of passionate players who celebrate the timeless joy of faceto-face gameplay.

What do we do and how do we do it?

We create innovative and engaging board games designed to captivate the interests of individuals aged 18-35, including students, young professionals, and those with an interest in trading cards and board games. Our games are carefully crafted to be accessible, engaging, and perfect for beginners seeking a new gaming experience or passionate gamers looking for fresh challenges.

What’s our personality?

Our brand personality is welcoming, informative, and enthusiastic. We communicate with a friendly and approachable tone, guiding and inspiring our audience to embark on their board gaming adventure with confidence and excitement.

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Corporate Mark

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Corporate Mark

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Logo Usage

Clear Space Always surround brand mark with the amount of clear space shown (equal to the cap height of B) to ensure that the logo is easily identifiable as well as legible.

B—cap heigth

Minimum Size Do not reproduce the mark any smaller than 1.86 inches based on the longest side.

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Color Palette

#da4032

#64b5e5

#e7168e

#db7c2e

#532d8c

#fff200

#3e4da1

#9a08d7

Primary Colors In my game two fractions:Oficcers and Bandits. I associate Oficcers with Blue color and Bandits with red color.

Secondary Colors These colors are often featured on futuristic design.

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Typeface

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 123456789

Fontsrping Regular Used for section of cards and Process book cover.

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 123456789

OCR Extended Regular Used for section headers.

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 123456789

OCR Extended Regular Used for subheads, body copy, captions.

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Typeface Usage

CYBERPUNK

OCR Extended Regular 72 Used for section headers.

Science fiction’s sub-genre, known as cyberpunk, imagines a dystopian future in which advanced technology has overtaken society

OCR Extended Regular 12 Used for subheads.

The genre frequently examines virtual reality, hacking, artificial intelligence and how technology affects people. Cyberpunk is distinguished by its emphasis on a future society in which governments and corporations have amassed enormous power and control over people.

OCR Extended Regular 10 Used for body copy.

Design Thesis 2023

Fontsrping Regular 16 Used for the cover of Process Book.

Former military coach

Fontsrping Regular 8 Used for cards.

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Visual Identity

Texture Cyberpunk textures help immerse players in the futuristic and dystopian world of cyberpunk settings. Rusty metal, flickering neon lights, and holographic displays all add to the sense of a gritty, tech-infused environment.

One of the key features of futuristic design is its use of angular forms and sharp lines.

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DELIVERABLES 62

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Primary Deliverable

The main portion of my thesis is the board game.

It comprises 68 cards, packaging, 16 counters, instruction sheet, a map.

The packaging, artwork and its concept conveys the brand message Division.

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Secondary Deliverable

The secondary deliverable is a series of 3 posters.

Each folds down into a short booklet. When completely folded, readers can turn the front cover to reveal the artwork from cards and introduction.

On the back side is an 11 x 17 poster that conveys the brand message and a brand language through three posters.

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TIME MANAGEMENT A 86

AND REFLECTION

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Time Planning and Counting

To keep myself organized I set a scehdule in Notion and I counted my hours in Toggle Track

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Total

350 Hours 426 Dollars 89

Classes and Meetings

Cards

Process Book

YES Poster

Mid-Term Presentation

Counters

Primary Deliverable

Secondary Deliverable.

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Printing in the library

Packaging

Map

Process Book

Cards

38$ 88$ 120$ 130$ 160$ 92

Reflection

My project wasn’t easy. It wasn’t just 2 deliverables. I had to create a whole board game from scratch, including packaging, cards, instructions, and more I knew from the beginning of the semester that It would be hard but I was ready to take on this challenge.

Throughout the process, I learned so much. I got hands-on experience with things like making boxes, using different materials, and even laser cutting. I also got to explore the cyberpunk style, which was a lot of fun.

Moreover, this thesis taught me the value of hard work. It helped me realize the importance of staying focused and minimizing distractions. Instead of procrastinating or lounging in bed after classes, I learned to prioritize my time and dedicate myself to the task at hand.

I came to the conclusion that being hardworking is not just a trait, but a skill and a habit that can be developed.

Working with Paul and Robert was a highlight. Their help and expertise made everything easier and more enjoyable. Plus, it was great to have someone to bounce ideas off of.

I’m proud of what I accomplished.

It’s a reminder that I can take on big challenges and succeed.

I truly enjoyed the process and I am grateful to people that were there to help me out.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

There were plenty of times when I was freaking out, stressing, and even crying. However, those moments taught me the importance of staying stress-resistant and patient. They showed me that even when things get tough, it’s crucial to keep pushing forward and never give up.

Overall, this project taught me a lot about time management,typography, improved my skills, and boosted my confidence. It was something completely new for me, but

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