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Graphic Design Layout Artists: The Reason TTRPGs Look Great
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<blockquote data-quote="Egg Embry" data-source="post: 9216704" data-attributes="member: 6808965"><p>Great graphic design makes a tabletop roleplaying game more engaging. While true, this isn’t the most critical topic in tabletop, yet it leads to pleasing outcomes. Excellent layouts are like editing in movies, if done right you don’t see how well it was executed.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">[ATTACH=full]338964[/ATTACH]</p><p></p><p>In the past few years, layout artists and graphic designers have revised our expectations when it comes to reading a TTRPG. Recognizing the importance of layouts, the <a href="https://ennie-awards.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Ennie Awards</strong></a><strong>,</strong> the “Oscars” of tabletop RPG awards, created the “Best Layout and Design” category in 2019. The <a href="https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists" target="_blank"><strong>Origin Awards</strong></a><a href="https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists" target="_blank">added a </a><a href="https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists" target="_blank">“Graphic Design” categor</a><a href="https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists" target="_blank">y in 2023</a>. At <strong>Itch.io</strong>, a game jam dedicated to TTRPG layouts (<a href="https://itch.io/jam/phils-ttrpg-layout-jam-2023" target="_blank"><strong>Phil's TTRPG Layout Jam 2023</strong></a><strong>, </strong>in which each contributor lays out a version of the <strong><em>Misery’s Keep</em></strong> adventure by Rugose Kohn) had a number of participants. Johan Nohr, the artist and layout artist for the <a href="https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2020-nominees-and-winners/" target="_blank">award-winning</a> <strong><em>MÖRK BORG Artpunk RPG</em></strong>, had a stellar <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jnohr/art-by-nohr" target="_blank"><strong>Kickstarter</strong></a><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jnohr/art-by-nohr" target="_blank"> for his artbook</a>, a category that can be hard to fund. With new focus on graphic design, especially the artpunk aesthetic, I asked some of the upcoming graphic designers, <a href="https://briancolin.com/" target="_blank">Brian Colin</a> of <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/15348/Infinite-Black?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank"><strong><em>Vast Grimm</em></strong></a> and <a href="https://spider00x.itch.io/" target="_blank">Eric Alsandor </a><a href="https://spider00x.itch.io/" target="_blank">aka </a><a href="https://spider00x.itch.io/" target="_blank">Spider00x</a> of <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/21029/Eric-Alsandor--Spider00x?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank"><strong><em>Rane in Blood</em></strong></a> and the upcoming <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/highlanderprotcg/highlander-pro-the-card-game-0" target="_blank"><strong><em>Highlander Pro: The Card Game</em></strong></a><strong><em>,</em></strong> about the discipline and what makes for good layouts? Eric Alsandor gave his thoughts:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>[ATTACH=full]338965[/ATTACH]</p><h3>Playing with the Designers</h3><p>The importance of rulebook and adventure layouts is driven home when you’re playing with three of the best graphic designers in TTRPG and you can see how their work influences their game. Since the end of the pandemic, it’s rare I get to sit with professional creators outside of trips to <a href="https://www.gencon.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Gen Con</strong></a> or <a href="https://www.originsgamefair.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Origins Game Fair</strong></a>. However, on Saturday July 15, 2023, I went to <a href="https://levelupgamesatl.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Level Up Games</strong></a><a href="https://levelupgamesatl.com/" target="_blank"> in Duluth, Georgia</a> to play <strong><em>Vast Grimm</em></strong> with co-creators Brian Colin and Ross Brandt. In addition, Eric Alsandor (Spider00x) was there with copies of his third-party <strong><em>Mothership</em></strong> adventures. Later that summer, at <a href="https://www.dragoncon.org/" target="_blank"><strong>Dragon*Con</strong></a> 2023, I was able to play Eric Alsandor’s <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/424950/Miami-Laser-Cutter-Massacre-Escape-from-Laser-Cove?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank"><strong><em>Miami Laser Cutter Massacre: Escape from Laser Cove!</em></strong></a> These sessions of <strong><em>Vast Grimm</em></strong> and <strong><em>Mothership</em></strong> included high-stakes adventures with convention-level roleplayers, each acting as a memorable character. Looking past the good time, there was another level to the gathering: being in the company of such amazing artists. Brian Colin is a master artist, a sculptor and illustrator with stunning visions that achieve stunning results. Ross Brandt is a 20-year <a href="https://coil-media.com/" target="_blank">art director</a> by day, RPGer by night. Eric Alsandor has several beautiful self-published projects under his belt as well as freelance graphic design for the upcoming <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/highlanderprotcg/highlander-pro-the-card-game-0" target="_blank"><strong><em>Highlander Pro: The Card Game</em></strong></a>. Playing their games let me see their adventures and rulebooks as more than dry manuals. The gaming sessions were good enough that, when I got home, I reviewed their books and found another level of quality design.</p><h3>What is the Art of Graphic Design for TTRPGs?</h3><p>Tabletop roleplaying games have a rich history of impressive artwork crafted to convey the setting, inhabitants, and feel of an RPG’s worlds. These images illustrate the intentions of the author(s) even as they break up the blocks of rules and flavor text. Over the decades, RPGs evolved from simple header/two-column block text to works of visual grandeur. Conveying greater intent with innovative and intuitive layouts, the job of designing an RPG’s look has grown in importance until it is recognized as an artform. As desktop publishing matures, RPGs benefit from the combination of editorial demands, artistic flare, and software that can support both. Brian Collin shared his insight into how he achieves engaging layouts:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">[ATTACH=full]338962[/ATTACH]</p><h3>Vast Grimm's Layouts</h3><p>How important is art to an RPG? I’ve talked about the importance of art in RPGs in other articles (<a href="https://www.d20radio.com/main/the-rise-of-single-artist-rpgs/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/tithi-luadthong’s-famous-stock-cover-its-five-rpgs.689441/" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="https://www.d20radio.com/main/stock-art-how-to-make-it-your-own/" target="_blank">here</a>). <strong><em>Vast Grimm</em></strong>, the sci-fi RPG that uses a variant of the <strong><em>Mörk Borg </em></strong>engine, wouldn’t be here without art. Literally. Born of a sculpture by <a href="https://briancolin.com/" target="_blank">Brian Colin</a> after a session of <strong><em>Mörk Borg </em></strong>run by Ross Brandt, Brian’s original sculpt was <strong><em>Vast Grimm’s</em></strong> catalyst. But the artpunk artwork and layouts of <strong><em>Mörk Borg</em></strong> provided further inspiration.</p><p></p><p>The <a href="https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2020-nominees-and-winners/" target="_blank">award-winning </a><a href="https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2020-nominees-and-winners/" target="_blank">layout and design</a> of <strong><em>Mörk Borg</em></strong> led to many homages which tried for the same art style and layouts. Among the standouts, those that used Johan Nohr’s work as a springboard instead of a destination, is Brian Collin’s work. <strong><em>Vast Grimm</em></strong> succeeded because the artwork and style aren’t derivative, but original. Fans responded to <a href="https://vastgrimm.com/" target="_blank"><strong><em>Vast Grimm</em></strong></a> (original <a href="https://gamefound.com/projects/infiniteblack/vastgrimm" target="_blank"><strong>GameFound</strong></a> and sourcebooks <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/infiniteblack/vast-grimm-into-oblivion" target="_blank"><strong>Kickstarter</strong></a>) because Brian and Ross crafted an impressive concept combined with artwork, all of which is presented in an engaging way. I’ve interviewed Brian Colin about <strong><em>Vast Grimm</em></strong> at <strong>EN World</strong> (<a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/vast-grimm-from-infinite-black-an-interview-with-brian-colin.680962/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/vast-grimm-expansions-an-interview-with-brian-colin-infinite-black.694787/" target="_blank">here</a>) and on <a href="https://youtu.be/UQ3jt3EgRlc" target="_blank"><strong>Youtube</strong></a>. How popular is <strong><em>Vast Grimm</em></strong>? Check out the <a href="https://itch.io/jam/boundless-torments-vast-grimm-game-jam" target="_blank"><strong>Boundless Torments: Vast Grimm Game Jam</strong></a> to see its fanbase turn out. Looking at the TTRPG’s core rulebook pages 66 and 67, the "Becoming the Grimm" two-page spread, I asked Brian if he would breakdown his layout process:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">[ATTACH=full]338963[/ATTACH]</p><h3><strong>Miami Laser Cutter Massacre Layouts</strong></h3><p>Eric Alsandor (Spider00x) isn’t a <strong><em>Vast Grimm </em></strong>creator<strong><em>, </em></strong>though he’s working on a third-party adventure. Instead, <strong><em>Mothership</em></strong> is his jam. <strong><em>Mothership</em></strong> hit in the same pre-pandemic timeframe as <strong><em>Mörk Borg </em></strong>and touched on the same style of dark universe; theirs featuring grimdark sci-fi using a d100 system. Like <strong><em>Mörk Borg</em></strong>, <strong><em>Mothership</em></strong> employs artpunk storytelling artwork laid out in a modern way. The flow of information is critical to a game, <strong><em>Mothership</em></strong> manages it in a visual way in the rules, adventures, and character sheet. Eric’s third-party adventures are visual treats that showcase his ability to deliver information cleanly despite space constraints.</p><p></p><p>I’ve covered Eric’s <strong>Kickstarters</strong> (<strong><em>Rane in Blood</em></strong> <a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-crowdfunding-news-–-quest-o-nomicon-gravemire-tomb-of-immolation-and-more.682645/" target="_blank">here</a> and his <strong><em>Galaxy of Death</em></strong> pamphlets <a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-crowdfunding-news-tales-from-sina-una-dice-the-halls-over-the-troll-bridge-and-more.690685/" target="_blank">here</a>. On <a href="http://tesseraguild.com/dragon-con-2023-recap-part-2/" target="_blank">September 2, 2023 at </a><a href="http://tesseraguild.com/dragon-con-2023-recap-part-2/" target="_blank"><strong>Dragon Con</strong></a><a href="http://tesseraguild.com/dragon-con-2023-recap-part-2/" target="_blank">, I played</a> Eric Alsandor’s <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/424950/Miami-Laser-Cutter-Massacre-Escape-from-Laser-Cove?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank"><strong><em>Miami Laser Cutter Massacre: Escape from Laser Cove!</em></strong></a> That pamphlet was an ideal <strong><em>Mothership</em></strong> adventure. When asked what he wants to see in other creators’ layouts, Eric shared this:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">[ATTACH=full]338966[/ATTACH]</p><h3><strong>Is Solid Layout Only for Artpunk TTRPGs?</strong></h3><p>Absolutely not. Artpunk does not have the market cornered on excellent presentations. Amazing layouts are wherever you find them. In his 2018 review on <strong>Youtube</strong> of <a href="https://necroticgnome.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Necrotic Gnome Productions’</strong></a> <strong><em>B/X Essentials</em></strong>, the precursor to the wildly popular <strong><em>Old-School Essentials</em></strong>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@QuestingBeast" target="_blank">Questing Beast aka Ben Milton</a> of the <strong><em>Knave TTRPG</em></strong> talked about <strong>Necrotic’s</strong> tight, effective design choices. For example, while discussing the Cleric’s class information in <strong><em>B/X Essentials: Classes and Equipment</em></strong>, Questing Beast stated:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>That examples demonstrates how excellent layout can impress GMs with its information flow. <strong><em>B/X Essentials</em></strong> and <strong>OSE</strong> use straight forward, two column layouts which does a fantastic job of conveying information in one- and two-page chunks. This example is to say that good layouts are where you find them, not just in artpunk projects.</p><p></p><p>How do you achieve new layouts if your only input is TTRPGs? Are there non-TTRPG examples to review? Eric Alsandor (Spider00x) suggested a few outside sources for pointers:</p><p></p><p></p><h3>Final Words</h3><p>If the new style of RPG graphic design could be summed up, they might be termed “adventurous layouts”. Despite their look, they aren’t information overload. <a href="https://briancolin.com/" target="_blank">Brian Colin</a> gave his thoughts on information overload versus on-demand information:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>If you’re interested in RPGs with exceptional layouts, the <a href="https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists" target="_blank"><strong>Origin Awards</strong></a><a href="https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists" target="_blank">added a </a><a href="https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists" target="_blank">“Graphic Design” categor</a><a href="https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists" target="_blank">y in 2023</a> which <strong>Pinnacle Entertainment Group’s</strong> <strong><em>Pathfinder Savage Worlds Boxed Set</em></strong> won. As well, here are the <a href="https://ennie-awards.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Ennie Award</strong></a> winners for “Best Layout and Design” since the category’s inception in 2019.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2019-nominees-and-winners/" target="_blank">2019</a></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><em>Symbaroum Monster Codex</em></strong>, <strong>Järnringen / Free League Publishing</strong> – Johan Nohr (Gold)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><em>The Black Hack 2nd Edition</em></strong>, <strong>Squarehex</strong> – David Black (Silver)</li> </ul><p><a href="https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2020-nominees-and-winners/" target="_blank">2020</a></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><em>MÖRK BORG Artpunk RPG</em></strong>, <strong>Free League Publishing</strong> – Pelle Nilsson, Johan Nohr (Gold)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><em>A Pound of Flesh</em></strong>, <strong>Tuesday Knight Games</strong> – Sean McCoy, Jan Buragay (Silver)</li> </ul><p><a href="https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2021-nominees-and-winners/" target="_blank">2021</a></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><em>Heart: The City Beneath</em></strong>, <strong>Rowan, Rook and Decard </strong>– Minerva McJanda (Gold)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><em>The Stygian Library: Remastered</em></strong>, <strong>SoulMuppet Publishing</strong> – David N. Wilkie (Silver)</li> </ul><p><a href="https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2022-nominees-and-winners/" target="_blank">2022</a></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><em>Delta Green: Impossible Landscapes</em></strong>, <strong>Arc Dream Publishing </strong>– Dennis Detwiller, Stephen Buck, Shane Ivey (Gold)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><em>Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20: Gamemaster’s Guide</em></strong>, <strong>Modiphius Entertainment</strong> (Silver)</li> </ul><p><a href="https://ennie-awards.com/2023-nominees/" target="_blank">2023</a></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><em>Blade Runner RPG Core Rulebook</em></strong>, <strong>Free League Publishing</strong> – Christian Granath (Gold)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><em>Frontier Scum</em></strong>, <strong>Games Omnivorous</strong> – Karl Druid, Chalkdown (Silver)</li> </ul><p><a href="https://ennie-awards.com/2024-nominees/" target="_blank">2024</a></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><em>Shadowdark RPG, </em>The Arcane Library</strong> – Kelsey Dionne (Gold)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong><em>CBR+PNK: Augmented,</em></strong> <strong>Mythworks</strong> – Emanoel Melo, Raul Rinaldi (Silver)</li> </ul><p>If you’re interested in their work and insights, you can find Eric Alsandor (Spider00x) <a href="https://spider00x.itch.io/" target="_blank">here</a>, Questing Beast/Ben Milton <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@QuestingBeast" target="_blank">here</a>, and Brian Collin <a href="http://briancolin.com/" target="_blank">here</a> or, if you're attending <a href="https://www.gencon.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Gen Con</strong></a> 2024, at the <strong>Creature Curation</strong> booth (1457).</p><p></p><p><em>Egg Embry participates in the OneBookShelf Affiliate Program, Noble Knight Games’ Affiliate Program, and is an Amazon Associate. These programs provide advertising fees by linking to DriveThruRPG, Noble Knight Games, and Amazon.</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Egg Embry, post: 9216704, member: 6808965"] Great graphic design makes a tabletop roleplaying game more engaging. While true, this isn’t the most critical topic in tabletop, yet it leads to pleasing outcomes. Excellent layouts are like editing in movies, if done right you don’t see how well it was executed. [CENTER][ATTACH type="full" alt="Mörk Borg Cover - Johan Nohr.jpg"]338964[/ATTACH][/CENTER] In the past few years, layout artists and graphic designers have revised our expectations when it comes to reading a TTRPG. Recognizing the importance of layouts, the [URL='https://ennie-awards.com/'][B]Ennie Awards[/B][/URL][B],[/B] the “Oscars” of tabletop RPG awards, created the “Best Layout and Design” category in 2019. The [URL='https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists'][B]Origin Awards[/B][/URL][URL='https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists'] [/URL][URL='https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists']added a [/URL][URL='https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists']“Graphic Design” categor[/URL][URL='https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists']y in 2023[/URL]. At [B]Itch.io[/B], a game jam dedicated to TTRPG layouts ([URL='https://itch.io/jam/phils-ttrpg-layout-jam-2023'][B]Phil's TTRPG Layout Jam 2023[/B][/URL][B], [/B]in which each contributor lays out a version of the [B][I]Misery’s Keep[/I][/B] adventure by Rugose Kohn) had a number of participants. Johan Nohr, the artist and layout artist for the [URL='https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2020-nominees-and-winners/']award-winning[/URL] [B][I]MÖRK BORG Artpunk RPG[/I][/B], had a stellar [URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jnohr/art-by-nohr'][B]Kickstarter[/B][/URL][URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jnohr/art-by-nohr'] for his artbook[/URL], a category that can be hard to fund. With new focus on graphic design, especially the artpunk aesthetic, I asked some of the upcoming graphic designers, [URL='https://briancolin.com/']Brian Colin[/URL] of [URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/15348/Infinite-Black?affiliate_id=814082'][B][I]Vast Grimm[/I][/B][/URL] and [URL='https://spider00x.itch.io/']Eric Alsandor [/URL][URL='https://spider00x.itch.io/']aka [/URL][URL='https://spider00x.itch.io/']Spider00x[/URL] of [URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/21029/Eric-Alsandor--Spider00x?affiliate_id=814082'][B][I]Rane in Blood[/I][/B][/URL] and the upcoming [URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/highlanderprotcg/highlander-pro-the-card-game-0'][B][I]Highlander Pro: The Card Game[/I][/B][/URL][B][I],[/I][/B] about the discipline and what makes for good layouts? Eric Alsandor gave his thoughts: [ATTACH type="full" alt="Rane In Blood Layouts - Eric Alsandor.png"]338965[/ATTACH] [HEADING=2]Playing with the Designers[/HEADING] The importance of rulebook and adventure layouts is driven home when you’re playing with three of the best graphic designers in TTRPG and you can see how their work influences their game. Since the end of the pandemic, it’s rare I get to sit with professional creators outside of trips to [URL='https://www.gencon.com/'][B]Gen Con[/B][/URL] or [URL='https://www.originsgamefair.com/'][B]Origins Game Fair[/B][/URL]. However, on Saturday July 15, 2023, I went to [URL='https://levelupgamesatl.com/'][B]Level Up Games[/B][/URL][URL='https://levelupgamesatl.com/'] in Duluth, Georgia[/URL] to play [B][I]Vast Grimm[/I][/B] with co-creators Brian Colin and Ross Brandt. In addition, Eric Alsandor (Spider00x) was there with copies of his third-party [B][I]Mothership[/I][/B] adventures. Later that summer, at [URL='https://www.dragoncon.org/'][B]Dragon*Con[/B][/URL] 2023, I was able to play Eric Alsandor’s [URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/424950/Miami-Laser-Cutter-Massacre-Escape-from-Laser-Cove?affiliate_id=814082'][B][I]Miami Laser Cutter Massacre: Escape from Laser Cove![/I][/B][/URL] These sessions of [B][I]Vast Grimm[/I][/B] and [B][I]Mothership[/I][/B] included high-stakes adventures with convention-level roleplayers, each acting as a memorable character. Looking past the good time, there was another level to the gathering: being in the company of such amazing artists. Brian Colin is a master artist, a sculptor and illustrator with stunning visions that achieve stunning results. Ross Brandt is a 20-year [URL='https://coil-media.com/']art director[/URL] by day, RPGer by night. Eric Alsandor has several beautiful self-published projects under his belt as well as freelance graphic design for the upcoming [URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/highlanderprotcg/highlander-pro-the-card-game-0'][B][I]Highlander Pro: The Card Game[/I][/B][/URL]. Playing their games let me see their adventures and rulebooks as more than dry manuals. The gaming sessions were good enough that, when I got home, I reviewed their books and found another level of quality design. [HEADING=2]What is the Art of Graphic Design for TTRPGs?[/HEADING] Tabletop roleplaying games have a rich history of impressive artwork crafted to convey the setting, inhabitants, and feel of an RPG’s worlds. These images illustrate the intentions of the author(s) even as they break up the blocks of rules and flavor text. Over the decades, RPGs evolved from simple header/two-column block text to works of visual grandeur. Conveying greater intent with innovative and intuitive layouts, the job of designing an RPG’s look has grown in importance until it is recognized as an artform. As desktop publishing matures, RPGs benefit from the combination of editorial demands, artistic flare, and software that can support both. Brian Collin shared his insight into how he achieves engaging layouts: [CENTER][ATTACH type="full" alt="Vast Grimm Cover - Brian Colin.jpg"]338962[/ATTACH][/CENTER] [HEADING=2]Vast Grimm's Layouts[/HEADING] How important is art to an RPG? I’ve talked about the importance of art in RPGs in other articles ([URL='https://www.d20radio.com/main/the-rise-of-single-artist-rpgs/']here[/URL], [URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/tithi-luadthong’s-famous-stock-cover-its-five-rpgs.689441/']here[/URL], and [URL='https://www.d20radio.com/main/stock-art-how-to-make-it-your-own/']here[/URL]). [B][I]Vast Grimm[/I][/B], the sci-fi RPG that uses a variant of the [B][I]Mörk Borg [/I][/B]engine, wouldn’t be here without art. Literally. Born of a sculpture by [URL='https://briancolin.com/']Brian Colin[/URL] after a session of [B][I]Mörk Borg [/I][/B]run by Ross Brandt, Brian’s original sculpt was [B][I]Vast Grimm’s[/I][/B] catalyst. But the artpunk artwork and layouts of [B][I]Mörk Borg[/I][/B] provided further inspiration. The [URL='https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2020-nominees-and-winners/']award-winning [/URL][URL='https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2020-nominees-and-winners/']layout and design[/URL] of [B][I]Mörk Borg[/I][/B] led to many homages which tried for the same art style and layouts. Among the standouts, those that used Johan Nohr’s work as a springboard instead of a destination, is Brian Collin’s work. [B][I]Vast Grimm[/I][/B] succeeded because the artwork and style aren’t derivative, but original. Fans responded to [URL='https://vastgrimm.com/'][B][I]Vast Grimm[/I][/B][/URL] (original [URL='https://gamefound.com/projects/infiniteblack/vastgrimm'][B]GameFound[/B][/URL] and sourcebooks [URL='https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/infiniteblack/vast-grimm-into-oblivion'][B]Kickstarter[/B][/URL]) because Brian and Ross crafted an impressive concept combined with artwork, all of which is presented in an engaging way. I’ve interviewed Brian Colin about [B][I]Vast Grimm[/I][/B] at [B]EN World[/B] ([URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/vast-grimm-from-infinite-black-an-interview-with-brian-colin.680962/']here[/URL] and [URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/vast-grimm-expansions-an-interview-with-brian-colin-infinite-black.694787/']here[/URL]) and on [URL='https://youtu.be/UQ3jt3EgRlc'][B]Youtube[/B][/URL]. How popular is [B][I]Vast Grimm[/I][/B]? Check out the [URL='https://itch.io/jam/boundless-torments-vast-grimm-game-jam'][B]Boundless Torments: Vast Grimm Game Jam[/B][/URL] to see its fanbase turn out. Looking at the TTRPG’s core rulebook pages 66 and 67, the "Becoming the Grimm" two-page spread, I asked Brian if he would breakdown his layout process: [CENTER][ATTACH type="full" alt="Miami Laser Cutter Massacre Escape From Laser Cover - Eric Alsandor.png"]338963[/ATTACH][/CENTER] [HEADING=2][B]Miami Laser Cutter Massacre Layouts[/B][/HEADING] Eric Alsandor (Spider00x) isn’t a [B][I]Vast Grimm [/I][/B]creator[B][I], [/I][/B]though he’s working on a third-party adventure. Instead, [B][I]Mothership[/I][/B] is his jam. [B][I]Mothership[/I][/B] hit in the same pre-pandemic timeframe as [B][I]Mörk Borg [/I][/B]and touched on the same style of dark universe; theirs featuring grimdark sci-fi using a d100 system. Like [B][I]Mörk Borg[/I][/B], [B][I]Mothership[/I][/B] employs artpunk storytelling artwork laid out in a modern way. The flow of information is critical to a game, [B][I]Mothership[/I][/B] manages it in a visual way in the rules, adventures, and character sheet. Eric’s third-party adventures are visual treats that showcase his ability to deliver information cleanly despite space constraints. I’ve covered Eric’s [B]Kickstarters[/B] ([B][I]Rane in Blood[/I][/B] [URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-crowdfunding-news-–-quest-o-nomicon-gravemire-tomb-of-immolation-and-more.682645/']here[/URL] and his [B][I]Galaxy of Death[/I][/B] pamphlets [URL='https://www.enworld.org/threads/rpg-crowdfunding-news-tales-from-sina-una-dice-the-halls-over-the-troll-bridge-and-more.690685/']here[/URL]. On [URL='http://tesseraguild.com/dragon-con-2023-recap-part-2/']September 2, 2023 at [/URL][URL='http://tesseraguild.com/dragon-con-2023-recap-part-2/'][B]Dragon Con[/B][/URL][URL='http://tesseraguild.com/dragon-con-2023-recap-part-2/'], I played[/URL] Eric Alsandor’s [URL='https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/424950/Miami-Laser-Cutter-Massacre-Escape-from-Laser-Cove?affiliate_id=814082'][B][I]Miami Laser Cutter Massacre: Escape from Laser Cove![/I][/B][/URL] That pamphlet was an ideal [B][I]Mothership[/I][/B] adventure. When asked what he wants to see in other creators’ layouts, Eric shared this: [CENTER][ATTACH type="full" alt="Vast Grimm - Pages 66 and 67 - Becoming The Grimm - Brian Colin.png"]338966[/ATTACH][/CENTER] [HEADING=2][B]Is Solid Layout Only for Artpunk TTRPGs?[/B][/HEADING] Absolutely not. Artpunk does not have the market cornered on excellent presentations. Amazing layouts are wherever you find them. In his 2018 review on [B]Youtube[/B] of [URL='https://necroticgnome.com/'][B]Necrotic Gnome Productions’[/B][/URL] [B][I]B/X Essentials[/I][/B], the precursor to the wildly popular [B][I]Old-School Essentials[/I][/B], [URL='https://www.youtube.com/@QuestingBeast']Questing Beast aka Ben Milton[/URL] of the [B][I]Knave TTRPG[/I][/B] talked about [B]Necrotic’s[/B] tight, effective design choices. For example, while discussing the Cleric’s class information in [B][I]B/X Essentials: Classes and Equipment[/I][/B], Questing Beast stated: That examples demonstrates how excellent layout can impress GMs with its information flow. [B][I]B/X Essentials[/I][/B] and [B]OSE[/B] use straight forward, two column layouts which does a fantastic job of conveying information in one- and two-page chunks. This example is to say that good layouts are where you find them, not just in artpunk projects. How do you achieve new layouts if your only input is TTRPGs? Are there non-TTRPG examples to review? Eric Alsandor (Spider00x) suggested a few outside sources for pointers: [HEADING=2]Final Words[/HEADING] If the new style of RPG graphic design could be summed up, they might be termed “adventurous layouts”. Despite their look, they aren’t information overload. [URL='https://briancolin.com/']Brian Colin[/URL] gave his thoughts on information overload versus on-demand information: If you’re interested in RPGs with exceptional layouts, the [URL='https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists'][B]Origin Awards[/B][/URL][URL='https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists'] [/URL][URL='https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists']added a [/URL][URL='https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists']“Graphic Design” categor[/URL][URL='https://www.originsgamefair.com/2023-origins-awards-finalists']y in 2023[/URL] which [B]Pinnacle Entertainment Group’s[/B] [B][I]Pathfinder Savage Worlds Boxed Set[/I][/B] won. As well, here are the [URL='https://ennie-awards.com/'][B]Ennie Award[/B][/URL] winners for “Best Layout and Design” since the category’s inception in 2019. [URL='https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2019-nominees-and-winners/']2019[/URL] [LIST] [*][B][I]Symbaroum Monster Codex[/I][/B], [B]Järnringen / Free League Publishing[/B] – Johan Nohr (Gold) [*][B][I]The Black Hack 2nd Edition[/I][/B], [B]Squarehex[/B] – David Black (Silver) [/LIST] [URL='https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2020-nominees-and-winners/']2020[/URL] [LIST] [*][B][I]MÖRK BORG Artpunk RPG[/I][/B], [B]Free League Publishing[/B] – Pelle Nilsson, Johan Nohr (Gold) [*][B][I]A Pound of Flesh[/I][/B], [B]Tuesday Knight Games[/B] – Sean McCoy, Jan Buragay (Silver) [/LIST] [URL='https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2021-nominees-and-winners/']2021[/URL] [LIST] [*][B][I]Heart: The City Beneath[/I][/B], [B]Rowan, Rook and Decard [/B]– Minerva McJanda (Gold) [*][B][I]The Stygian Library: Remastered[/I][/B], [B]SoulMuppet Publishing[/B] – David N. Wilkie (Silver) [/LIST] [URL='https://ennie-awards.com/portfolio-item/2022-nominees-and-winners/']2022[/URL] [LIST] [*][B][I]Delta Green: Impossible Landscapes[/I][/B], [B]Arc Dream Publishing [/B]– Dennis Detwiller, Stephen Buck, Shane Ivey (Gold) [*][B][I]Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20: Gamemaster’s Guide[/I][/B], [B]Modiphius Entertainment[/B] (Silver) [/LIST] [URL='https://ennie-awards.com/2023-nominees/']2023[/URL] [LIST] [*][B][I]Blade Runner RPG Core Rulebook[/I][/B], [B]Free League Publishing[/B] – Christian Granath (Gold) [*][B][I]Frontier Scum[/I][/B], [B]Games Omnivorous[/B] – Karl Druid, Chalkdown (Silver) [/LIST] [URL='https://ennie-awards.com/2024-nominees/']2024[/URL] [LIST] [*][B][I]Shadowdark RPG, [/I]The Arcane Library[/B] – Kelsey Dionne (Gold) [*][B][I]CBR+PNK: Augmented,[/I][/B] [B]Mythworks[/B] – Emanoel Melo, Raul Rinaldi (Silver) [/LIST] If you’re interested in their work and insights, you can find Eric Alsandor (Spider00x) [URL='https://spider00x.itch.io/']here[/URL], Questing Beast/Ben Milton [URL='https://www.youtube.com/@QuestingBeast']here[/URL], and Brian Collin [URL='http://briancolin.com/']here[/URL] or, if you're attending [URL='https://www.gencon.com/'][B]Gen Con[/B][/URL] 2024, at the [B]Creature Curation[/B] booth (1457). [I]Egg Embry participates in the OneBookShelf Affiliate Program, Noble Knight Games’ Affiliate Program, and is an Amazon Associate. These programs provide advertising fees by linking to DriveThruRPG, Noble Knight Games, and Amazon.[/I] [/QUOTE]
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