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Character Cards Tip

ExampleWizardCard1.png

One thing that I have found to be useful, when it comes to designing cards with characters on them for a quick mock-up version of a board game for in-house testing purposes, is Heromachine 2.

Because space is limited on something the size of typical playing cards (or even smaller, such as something printed on business card stock), I find that just using the upper torso, or even just a head shot, rather than the full body image produced by Heromachine 2, can help to give the card more visual impact. It's all in what one likes, of course.

If you have artistic talent, then you can draw whatever you want. But, if you're like me, and severely challenged in the artistic department, then Heromachine 2 can help to fill the gap, especially if you're rushed for time.

For larger cards, index cards or flash cards can be used. Most any graphics editor program can be used to resize the images output by Heromachine 2.

When it comes time to produce a board game, especially if you intend to sell it, you can then replace your Heromachine 2 placeholder images, as I like to call them, with professionally rendered art from an artist of your choosing.

Comments

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Good tip. I'll add that you can experiment with fonts. Some fonts are designed specifically to be legible at smaller sizes. Affording you more space.

Hoefler and Frere-Jones font foundry has excellent micro fonts! -> http://www.typography.com/collections/index.php?collectionID=700014

Additionally, decreasing the line spacing in your design software can be helpful for saving precious millimeters.

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blog | by Dr. Radut