Conceptboards Session 01 - Introduction

Concept boards, often referred to as mood boards or inspiration boards in the context of game design, are visual tools that compile ideas, themes, and inspirations for a project into a cohesive layout. They are essential in the early stages of game development for conveying the aesthetic, atmosphere, and direction of the game.

Note

As you might have noticed, this is quite similar to a game design document.
Both play are heavily used, but when visuals play a large role in your project, maybe creating a concept board instead of a GDD is worth a thought.

Purpose

  • Visual Communication: They are a very visual, helping to communicate the vision of the game to team members, stakeholders, and clients effectively.
  • Inspiration Source: They are a source of inspiration for the team, helping to keep the project's visual and thematic goals aligned.
  • Reference Point: Throughout the development process, concept boards act as a reference to ensure the game's art and design remain consistent with the initial vision.

Content

A concept board can (among other things) contain:

  • Images and Artwork: Concept art, photographs, illustrations, and other visual elements that capture the game's intended style and mood.
  • Color Palettes: Specific color schemes to guide the visual development.
  • Textures and Patterns: These elements can help convey the game's environment, from the roughness of a dystopian world to the sleek surfaces of a futuristic city.
  • Typography: If text will play a significant role in the game, the concept board might include typography ideas that complement the game's aesthetic.
  • References: This can include anything from movie stills, snippets from books, other games, artworks, or anything that inspires the game's direction.
  • Everything else needed