The purpose of my project was to create a platform my husband could use to bring his card and board game ideas to life. To do this, we needed a brand name and identity. Together we chose Desert Star as we recently moved to Arizona and our daughters middle name is Star. Once a name was chosen, I designed a logo and developed the brand identity. Using this brand identity, I created a Desert Star PR Plan. This plan focused on building a good reputation for the brand and getting gaining a following that would back us when we launch a Kickstarter in 2023..
My focus then shifted to creating awareness of the Desert Star brand. I constructed a website using WordPress, designed a business card, started an Instagram account, and put together email lists on MailChimp.
I brought my husband’s games to life using Canva, Adobe Illustrator, and InDesign. Visual media is not my emphasis, so this part was a stretch for me. This process included creating game logos and color palettes, making icons, and designing the cards. We then had them printed at a local print shop and began looking into manufacturers for bulk orders. *Several of the graphics are not my work but are free artwork from Canva. These prototypes will not be sold. For my project I designed the layout of the cards and created some of the icons used on the cards. When we are closer to producing a Kickstarter, we will hire an artist to design the final card designs.
The concluding element of the project involved creating a strategy for the Kickstarter. This strategy included preparing a launch outline, building a content calendar, and planning stretch goals.
This project has stretched me in a lot of ways and has given me experience in several areas of communication including social media, public relations, visual media, and strategic communication. From here, my husband will continue to use these prototypes to pitch to potential backers and publishers. This experience has given me an amazing opportunity to practice the skills I have learned at BYU-Idaho while stepping into an area I was unfamiliar with before. I am excited to see where the games go from here.