FAQs

Who is Jovial Graphics?

We are a full-service graphic design agency for board games. We offer comprehensive services for board game development, covering every aspect from creative direction to final print files. With expertise in art direction, graphic design, print production, marketing, and Kickstarter campaigns, our team is dedicated to bringing your board game vision to life. We provide personalized support and guidance throughout the development process, ensuring that your game stands out in the market and reaches its intended audience. Whether you're a seasoned publisher or new to the industry, we're here to help you navigate the complexities of board game development with expertise and care.

Why do I need a full-service game design agency for my board game?

A full-service board game development agency offers a practical solution for creators seeking to bring their game ideas to life. By providing expertise in creative direction, design, and production, these agencies streamline the development process. Clients benefit from having a single point of contact overseeing all aspects of their project, ensuring quality and efficiency. This collaborative approach allows creators to focus on their vision while relying on the agency's support to navigate the complexities of game development. Ultimately, partnering with a full-service agency provides a practical and efficient path to realizing board game projects with confidence.

What services do you offer?

Jovial Graphics offers graphic design and art direction, writing and rules services, Kickstarter campaign graphics, and game development and prototyping.

I’m an indie designer on my first game. Who else do I need on my team, other than you?

• Illustration. Your game probably needs pictures to represent its story, and every story is different. We can help you find and manage illustrators, but we don’t have in-house illustrators because the styles demanded by our projects are so broad (same reason why Magic: the Gathering doesn’t have in-house illustrators).

• Marketing. While we can create ad graphics and advise on strategy, marketing is a field that’s just as advanced as design, and having a specialist marketing firm ensures you get the best possible advice. Our clients have had great success with Launchboom.

• Video. Your video is one of the most important pieces of your Kickstarter campaign. Oniro and Vasanath CGA have both done great work for our client in the past.

• Manufacturing. Our clients have had great experiences with a variety of Chinese factories, including Panda, Whatz, LongPack, and SKY GAME. For prototyping in the US, The Game Crafter and Superior POD are excellent options.

I already have an illustrator, can they just do my graphic design?

While there’s a significant tool overlap between them, graphic design is very different from illustration, and print design in particular is demanding in ways that aren’t immediately obvious if you haven’t done it before. We’re able to deliver results for effective typography, information design, and print-readiness that are generally outside of an illustrator’s experience.

What’s your stance on AI?

We don’t use AI in our work, and don’t work on projects that have generative AI content in their final print.

While we have serious ethical objections to these tools and the way they’re used and prefer to work with clients with similar values, we also understand that they’re ubiquitous now; if you use AI to brainstorm or for placeholder graphics, that’s fine with us so long as no generated material is in the final print.

Do you have any advice for making prototypes?

Absolutely!

For making cards, Magic Set Editor is a good first step that uses a familiar format and doesn’t require any design knowledge, and nanDeck is a more advanced tool that’s gotten nearly as good as professional design software in its specific niche.

For creating more polished graphics. the Affinity suite is a great low-cost alternative to Adobe products, and is a great way to work with similar tools to what we’d eventually use to create your game.

For managing card data, we use Google Sheets to ensure that our team members are all working with the same data.

For prepping files for print at a local shop, PDF Snake is a wonderful and well-featured imposition app, which we use all the time for our own internal printing.

How long does it typically take to complete the graphic design process for a tabletop game?

The duration of the graphic design process for a tabletop game can vary depending on the complexity of the project, the number of components involved, and the client's specific requirements. 6-12 months is typical for a full-service project for a medium-weight game.

Do you offer rush services for clients with tight deadlines?

Yes, we do offer rush services for clients with tight deadlines. However, the availability of rush services may depend on our current workload and the specific requirements of the project. We encourage clients with urgent deadlines to contact us as soon as possible to discuss their needs.

How do you handle revisions or changes requested by the client during the design process?

Our contracts are organized by job, not by hour. Reasonable revisions and changes requested by the client during the design process are accommodated as part of our service. We work closely with clients to incorporate feedback and ensure that the final designs meet their expectations.

Do you provide assistance with graphic design for promotional materials such as posters or banners?

Yes, we can make any other graphic you might require to promote your game.

Can you provide references or testimonials from past clients?

References or testimonials from past clients are available upon request. We're proud of our track record of delivering high-quality graphic design services for tabletop games and strive to maintain positive relationships with our clients.

How do you handle confidential information or sensitive details about a client's game during the design process?

We take confidentiality seriously and have measures in place to safeguard sensitive information about our clients' games. Our team members adhere to strict confidentiality agreements, and client data is securely stored and handled.

What is your process for ensuring accessibility and inclusivity in graphic design for tabletop games?

Accessibility and inclusivity are important considerations in graphic design for tabletop games. We strive to create designs that are easy to understand and accessible to players of all types of ability, while also promoting diversity and representation in our artwork and visual elements.

Why is marketing my game important?

Marketing is crucial for anyone looking to promote their tabletop game as it plays a vital role in creating awareness, generating interest, and driving sales. Without an effective marketing strategy, it's challenging for games to reach their target audience and stand out in the highly competitive gaming market.

Why is playtest feedback essential for board game developers?

Playtest feedback is critical because it provides invaluable insights into how real players interact with your game, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. This feedback is essential for refining game mechanics, improving player engagement, and ensuring the game is enjoyable and balanced. Without it, developers may miss crucial issues that could affect the game's success.

Can you provide examples where playtest feedback led to significant improvements in a game?

There have been numerous instances where playtest feedback directly contributed to significant enhancements in board games. For example, developers have adjusted game mechanics for balance, clarified rules for better understanding, and tweaked game components for enhanced engagement based on playtester insights. These adjustments often lead to a more polished and successful final product.

What are effective strategies for collecting and analyzing playtest feedback?

Effective strategies for collecting and analyzing playtest feedback include using structured feedback forms to gather consistent data, recording play sessions to capture real-time reactions, categorizing feedback to identify common themes, and engaging a diverse group of playtesters to ensure varied perspectives. Analyzing this feedback systematically can reveal deep insights into the game's dynamics and player experiences.

What are common mistakes to avoid when handling playtest feedback?

Common mistakes in handling playtest feedback include disregarding constructive criticism, being dismissive of feedback that contradicts personal visions without careful consideration, and failing to implement iterative changes based on the feedback received. It's crucial to remain open to all feedback, recognizing its potential to significantly improve the game's design and player experience.

How important is it to apply iterative changes based on playtest feedback in the game development process?

Implementing iterative changes based on playtest feedback is vital in the game development process. It allows developers to refine their game continuously, ensuring that each version is an improvement over the last. This iterative approach is key to enhancing playability, engaging players, and ultimately creating a successful board game that meets or exceeds player expectations..