Cryptozoology
Game Design, Marketing, Branding, Packaging, Fundraising
Cryptozoology is a cooperative pen-and-paper storytelling game centered around working with a team to create the story of your own cryptid monster. Designed as my personal introduction to game design, the project explores how folklore and imagination unite people through shared narratives. The game includes custom dice, pencils, cryptid creation sheets, and a rulebook emphasizing open-ended creativity and replayability. With successful Kickstarter backing, I oversaw everything from concept to packaging and fulfillment. The visual identity balances mystery and clarity through bold black-and-white design and unified typography.
Strategy
The strategy behind Cryptozoology was deeply influenced by my personal experience with tabletop games. I designed the rules to be clear, open-ended, and endlessly replayable, concepts that I find crucial in the games I enjoy. Tabling at events like the Be Excellent Festival of Games helped promote the game's Kickstarter and connect with fellow local designers. Visually, the black-and-white palette, use of silhouettes, and type choices were all meant to evoke the mystery and folklore surrounding cryptids, reinforcing the game’s theme of mystery and collaborative storytelling.
Skills
• Branding
• Layout Design
• Prototyping
• Packaging
• Typography
• Research Based Design
• Game System Design
• Organization and Clarity
• Project Management
Cryptozoology: The Board Game
Packaging, Branding, Game Design
The game box and its components, including a rulebook, custom dice, cryptid sheets, and pencil, were designed to feel cohesive and immersive. Each piece reflects the game’s mysterious tone, with a black-and-white visual theme and silhouetted artwork that mirrors the unknown nature of cryptids themselves. With focus given to every included piece, each component plays a crucial part in making the game feel like a complete set.
Cryptozoology Rulebook
Research, Layout, Game Design
The Cryptozoology rulebook is designed to be both functional and atmospheric. Its black-and-white color scheme, inspired by vague silhouettes, creates a sense of mystery, while the clean Helvetica type ensures easy readability. Academy Engraved typefaces in the titles add a scientific touch. The rulebook includes die tables that offer creative prompts, guiding players through the storytelling process, which ensures replayability and fresh experiences. Every design choice works to support the game’s creative and open-ended concept.
Cryptozoology Video Interview
Video
The video interview, created and directed by Bowling Green videographer Christian Scott, offers an insightful look into my creative process behind Cryptozoology. The interview delves into the challenges and successes I encountered during the process and was a crucial part when promoting my game across Kickstarter. Through its inclusion, viewers on Kickstarters were provided a deeper understanding of the game's development journey, and the team behind its creation.
Cryptozoology Kickstarter Campaign
Project Management, Community Outreach, Fundraising
The Cryptozoology Kickstarter campaign was a key moment in my journey into bridging the gap between graphic design and game design. Launched over a 90-day period, the campaign exceeded its initial goal of $1,000, ultimately raising $1,285. This success enabled me to refine the game's design, produce physical copies, and offer backers exclusive rewards, such as custom shirts, stickers, and signed copies of the game. The campaign not only helped fund the production but also played a crucial role in promoting the game to a broader audience, while fostering a sense of community with fellow board game enthusiasts. The support from backers allowed for the manufacturing and shipment of Cryptozoology to supporters across the United States, marking the completion of a project that began as a creative idea and turned into a fully realized board game.