A good looking prototype?

Hello DealmeAces, and welcome to the board!

Publishers often say that the looks of a prototype don't matter much to them and that they are able to see through cheesy graphics and components. I think this is true, but, like Stephen Glenn once said, it doesn't hurt if a good-looking prototype makes them want to play the prototype! Everyone likes eye candy, including publishers, and it certainly won't hurt their appreciation of the game.

That said, there's no reason to go overboard when making a prototype. No need to hire a professional artist, for example, because, like you said, most of the time the publishers will redo the art anyway. I do think it will pay off to spend some time learning graphic software tools. Not only will you be able to make a better looking prototype, it will also make it easier to reproduce (parts of) the prototype, which might come in handy when you want to make an additional copy, because the original got lost in the mail, or got badly damaged, or simply because you want to continue playtesting it when a publisher is reviewing it, etc.

There are some good, cheap, sometimes even freeware, graphic software tools out there that you might want to use. That, in combination with clip art, a color printer, some cardboard and a bit of creativity will go a long way towards making a nice looking prototype.

Good luck!

Even if you don't have the skills yourself and don't have a friend who can do the task, you could still pay a very reasonable amount for some graphic design help, just to bring it up to "presentable" level, without any custom illustration or any of the really expensive stuff.

I know that's something I've been sonsidering offering as a reasonably-priced resource for designers for some time now. Since it's work that I find to be a lot of fun, I am happy to work for a cheap rate, but as someone who could be working on his own designs instead, feel like I should charge something for it.

I'm sure there are others like me out there, too.

-- Matthew

I'm a designer trying to get a foot hold in designing artwork/graphics for the game industry and will do you graphics for free, as a portfolio piece.

Uh-oh, lemme run and increase the quota for his Private Message box real quick. LOL.

-Darke

I'm based in the UK, as a graphics designer and teacher of graphics. I will do some work for free, but this is an initial offer. I've got some paid work coming up so I won't be able to take all comers, buts those who have emailed me. I'll get back to them.

Cheers Jason