Artist or game development company?

I've used Grand Prix for components, but not game development. They've been helpful and provided timely service at a reasonable price.

As for development kinds of stuff, I personally have typically developed my games independent from the company that ultimately manufactures them. I just find it easier to define exactly what I want, then go find the company(s) that will manufacture or provide components for me.

I guess the up side to using a development company that could also manufacture for you is that they would likely know better perhaps what size cards to use, what kind of box insert you should have, what components make sense, etc. They could take these considerations into account when they developed the layout details of the game. When I created my first game, my printer was fortunately quite helpful on this front. I needed cards for my game, but didn't care really about the exact size. I needed pawns, but didn't really care about the precise size...and so on. I knew what I wanted my game to look like and what overall components I'd need, but my printer worked through many of the details with me.

I knew very little about the printing world, and still don't for that matter. With my more recent games though, I've defined everything then gone and found suppliers.

When I make a game, I tend to think of three types of design. There are the
1) mechanics of the game. This certainly is what much of the discussion here on the BGDF is all about. There is also the

2) aesthetics of the game. This is all about the art and design layout of the game - board, box, etc. This doesn't get as much attention on the BGDF at mechanics, but still comes up quite frequently. The third design element, which is often overlooked, but very important I think if you're looking to publish is

3) design for manufacturability. This is about making physical tradeoffs - because of cost, some sort of size constraint or limitation, component availability, or perhaps simply to make a game easily shippable, etc. The more games I make with the intention of publishing, the more design for manufacturability becomes important. This is the realm I think a development company can be most helpful. (Realize I'm speculating here because I personally haven't used one.)

Chip

BGDF is not the place to find artists, simply because they do not seem to hang out here. My suggestion would be to go looking at forums for artists.

You could start with conceptart.org or sumea.com.au (Australian). Artists on these sites usually not pros and are at all levels. The idea of artist's forums is to post art, so you can see what people are capable of. If you like someone's style you could approach them.

Of course if you do this, or hire an artist through other means, you are going to have to know exactly what you need in your finished art (subject, resolution, size, file type) and come up with a brief for them. This will depend a lot on what the art is being used for. It can be all too easy to get something which looks really good but is the wrong dimensions, resolution, whatever and basically wasted effort.

I would have responded (as one of the artists that frequent the boards) but I have already promised art to several other BGDF members and didn't want to get in over my head with more promises... only so many hours in the day, after all. Here's a link to a gameboard I comped up for jv222's smooth Swarm game (check out his online playtester, it is coming along very nicely):

http://zygotemusic2.perception.net/uploaded/swarm_board_1.jpg

and a character comp for Stynxx9000's Mi Gato game that I'm sure you all fondly remember:

http://zygotemusic2.perception.net/uploaded/gato.jpg

Aaaanyway, there are a few of us here... I'm always happy to take on an interesting project, but anything too huge is kind of, well, impossible to fit in to my schedule. If something manageable catches my notice, then I'll send a PM to the designer and see if they are interested in my help.

~Josh

http://zygotemusic2.perception.net/uploaded/gato.jpg

Maybe it's just my connection, but the file seems to be broken.
Nice work on the Swarm board!

I'm another of the artists in the forum, but right now am a bit overloaded, so at least until mid october it's no new projects for me. :-(

Seo

I have graphic design skills and am available for projects. I am not an illustrator, however, and would need to hire out illustrations. Incorporating them into the design, and even art directing the process, however, is part of my skillset. I can provide some prototype game examples if you're interested.

I have been in graphic design for nearly 20 years now, and am very familiar with boardgame design and printing and finishing processes. I can help select printing and finishing service companies and can help you work with them, or alternately, help you work knowledgeably with a full-service provider as a consultant.

-- Matthew Frederick

I hadn't priced any warehousing out. I do know I will be sick of looking at boxes: however, I believe I have an item that will sell. I want control over the boxes initially until I get my system down and then I'll start considering storage. I have already 10 committments from toy stores to start stocking the game when available and I have interest from a MARQUIS toy store (I won't jinx myself). I actually have a plan on moving the games so I'm not considering any manufacturers reps at the moment. My four P's for making my game successful: 1. Perception (idea) 2. Plan 3. Product 4. Persistence. My game was designed with a Wal-Mart in mind which is why I'm batting 100%: The game looks professional and is awesome. The retailers see that. My web site is almost live and when I get the games...it's off to the races.

HR Puff