RPG Design Panelcast

Episode 376: Eye for Design

Recorded at Metatopia 2023

Presented by Sean Jaffe, Joshua Jaffe, Casey Edison, and Jason Pitre

The brothers behind Rememorex, Commandroids, and other titles talk about the ins-and -outs of layout. Making a TTRPG is a challenge to a layout artist, who must juggle aesthetics and theme with readability and ease of use. A valuable resource for anyone just starting out.

Episode 363: Budgeting for Art

Recorded at Metatopia 2023

Presented by Jack Parra, Lissane Lake, Nicole Amato

Getting high-quality art is key to making a product look professional. Our panel makes with the tips and tricks to controlling costs and Funding the Project.

Episode 362: How to Work with Artists

Recorded at Metatopia 2023

Presented by Jack Parra and Lissane Lake

The panelists will touch on the process of how to find and approach artists, negotiate the contract, and then successfully work together. It's important that publishers get an artist's-eye-view of things so they can better understand what we do, the process, and the time involved and plan projects accordingly.

Episode 330: Design and Composition 101

Recorded at Metatopia Online 2020

Presented by Jack Parra, Melissa Gay.

This panel for art beginners discusses technique, both in a general sense and specifically for the kinds of products you're likely to encounter in the game biz.

Episode 306: Art Direction Case Study

Recorded at Metatopia Online 2020

Presented by Jason Morningstar, Jabari Weathers, Brennen Reece. 

Art Direction: From Designer to Director to Artist. A game designer, an art director, and an artist who recently worked on a project together will talk about the project (Bully Pulpit Games' "Dead House") from each of their perspectives - how they collaborated and communicated and perceived both the brief and the final output. 

Episode 223 - How to Work With Artists

Recorded at Metatopia 2018

Presented by Jack Parra, Lissanne Lake, Scott Bowmanchester

How To Work With Artists: This panel will touch on the process of how to find and approach artists, negotiate the contract, and then successfully work together. It's important that publishers get an artist's-eye-view of things so they can better understand what we do, the process, and the time involved and plan projects accordingly.

Episode 202 - What Art can do for your Game

Recorded at BreakoutCon 2019

Presented by Shel Khan & Emily Griggs, with moderation by Jonathan Lavallee

A breakdown of how the art you include in your RPG book contributes to your RPG as a marketing technique, as education and information for your GM, and as permission and inspiration for players.

Epsiode 172 - Structure Matters: Layout for Writers and Editors

Recorded at Metatopia 2017

Presented by Jason Pitre, Matthias Bonnici and Will Hindmarch.

Producing a book involves communication and negotiation between the layout professional, writers, editors, and art-directors. In this panel, we will talk about how to establish structures that work for everyone, and point out some ways to keep your layout gal happy. 

The presentation used for this panel is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GE7skzfOoRBUIDmw5hRZMvIApl6CguCO/view?usp=sharing

 

Episode 169 - Positive Aesthetic Sexytimes

Recorded at Metaopia 2017

Presented by Whitney Delaglio, Brand Robins

Sexy Times in-game can be serious business, but it doesn't have to be! Join us for a discussion about using artwork and tone to encourage fun and playful exploration of intimacy in games.

This episode coincides with the release of the kickstarter for Prism! Check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2026929256/prism-1

 

 

Episode 167 - The Artist's Process

Recorded at Metatopia 2017

Presented by  Jack Parra, Leslie Casilli, Lissanne Lake

"The Artist's Process: Game Illustration From Start To Finish." presented by Jack Parra, Leslie Casilli, Lissanne Lake. Our panelists go over the process they go through when creating a finished illustration, and the different approaches they take. This panel is about helping artists of all levels improve. 

Episode 162 - Art on a Budget

Recorded at Metatopia 2017

Presented by Jack Parra, Scott Bowmanchester, Lissanne Lake

 

Get art for your game without breaking the bank. Getting high-quality art is key to making a product look professional. How do publishers do it without breaking the bank? Our panel makes with the tips and tricks. 

Episode 158 - How to Work with Artists

Recorded at Metatopia 2017

Presented by Jack Parra, Scott Bowmanchester, Chris Kreuter.

The panelists will touch on the process of how to find and approach artists, negotiate the contract, and then successfully work together. It's important that publishers get an artist's-eye-view of things so they can better understand what we do, the process, and the time involved and plan projects accordingly. 

Episode 151 - Crafting the Experience at the Table

Recorded at BreakoutCon 2018

Presented by: Rachel Kahn, Mark Richardson, Daniel Kwan, Alex Roberts

Moderator: Philip Vecchione

How do maps, minis, props, tools and other tactile elements enhance or affect our tabletop RPG games? Ways to add a tempting, touchable layer to your gaming experience, whether for your home group or as a designer.

Episode 123 - Designing for Retail

Recorded at Metatopia 2016

Presented by Melissa Lewis-Gentry, Cat Tobin, Matt Fantastic, Zev Shlasinger.

Have you ever played (or made!) a fantastic game, and then wonder why no one has it? Ever wonder why no one other than the Kickstarter backers bought a certain game? Ever make a game, then try to go through distribution and realize you'll lose money selling that way? Not all games are designed for retail sale! This panel will discuss the design choices that see success in a retail setting, and if retail is right for your game. Topics discuss will be graphic design choices and packaging, pricing and 3 tiered distribution, Organized Play and Demoing, and using retail sales as marketing.

Episode 113 – Art in Games

Art in Games

Recorded at Breakout Con 2017

Presented by  Rachel Kahn, Anna Kreider, Emily Griggs, and moderator Cory Reid

Demystifying the process of how art gets created for games — how to get commissions, how the process works, and what art can do for a game besides look great! The art that surrounds a game greatly influences how the game gets played, and inspires the players at the table. Join Anna Kreider, Rachel Kahn and Emily Griggs as they discuss the role of art in gaming.

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Episode 108 – Affordable Art

Art for your Game without Breaking the Bank

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by Jack Parra,  John Carimando, Scott Bowmanchester and Brennan Reece.

Getting high-quality art is key to making a product look professional. How do publishers do it without breaking the bank? Our panel makes with the tips and tricks.

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Episode 107 – Working with Artists

Working with Artists 101

Recorded at Metatopia 2015

Presented by Brennan Taylor, Fred Hicks & John Carimando

How do you find and contact artists to work with you on a project? How much can you expect to spend? How can you avoid pissing your artist off? Find out from the veterans!

 

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Episode 43 – Book Design First Principles

Book Design 101 – First Principles

Recorded at Metatopia 2013

Presented by Fred Hicks and Hal Mangold

The panelists look at the book as an object of design. Whether it’s conveying rules or setting, the look and feel of the book itself is crucial to the experience of play. Our experts will draw on their own experiences to explain why books look the way they do.

 

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Episode 38 – Accessibility Issues for Game Designers

D036 – Accessibility Issues For Game Designers

Presented by Russell Collins & Jason Pitre. Games are about imagination and creativity so the print medium shouldn’t be a barrier to entry. Understanding the needs of persons with learning differences and the options that designers have will keep you from excluding people who are eager to enjoy our hobby. This seminar will focus on blindness, low vision, and dyslexia and strategies to present your game content for those with print disabilities in digital and audio media.

 

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Episode 4: Care and Feeding of Artists

“The Care and Feeding of Artists” presented by Ed Bell, Jen Christiansen & Fred Hicks. You’re not an artist yourself, but your game needs art! How do you hire artists, and how do you work with them to get what you need? This special panel features Ed Bell and Jen Christiansen, two art directors from Scientific American magazine.

 

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Episode 3: The Graphic Design and Layout Panel

“The Graphic Design and Layout Roundtable” presented by Hal Mangold, Nathan Paoletta & Ben Morgan. Discuss the best ways to make your game look exciting, fun, and easily readable with some of the sharpest eyes in the field

 

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