Okay, take a deep breath...it is time for graphic design. The kiddo and I worked on this together. Keep in mind that most games are not made by one single person. It's okay if you need help here. The kiddo made the planets for Steorra with clay, chose all of the fonts and made final decisions about the design. Adam gets credit for the star background photo. I did the actual graphic designing because I know how to use Photoshop and have a better understanding of how to use the templates from The Game Crafter. Today I am going to give you some helpful options for designing your game and you can choose what works well for you.
You can use The Game Crafter's app, component.studio and build your game online. Then you can export to print & play, tabletop simulator, or The Game Crafter. There is a bit of a learning curve and there is a $10 monthly fee to use the service. It gives you a great deal of adjustability though and the export options are great.
If you are not using component studio, and want to publish your game through The Game Crafter, you will want to download the templates for all the components you need for your design. For Steorra, that included the hex tiles, box top and bottom, and the rules. Make sure all the components will fit in your box. The kiddo needed a bigger box so the slugs for the hex tiles would fit.
Next you need to design it all. We used Photoshop. You could also use sites like Canva, which have a free version and includes some artwork you could use. Use what you have, but make sure you save in a format that can be used by The Game Crafter if that is where you will be publishing.
I have some design notes for you too. Do not make your images crowded. Our eyes need a little visual space. Choose fonts that are readable. The Steorra title font is hard to read, but it is only used in a couple of easy to read locations. Finally, don't be afraid to ask for feedback or help. Work with your family and friends on this or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and we are happy to provide some feedback too.
Homework
Complete the designs for you game, pieces, and rules
Organize your final graphics files for next week
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