Retro RePlay Convention (Thesis Project)
Spring 2024
Software: Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk Fusion 360
This thesis project will explore the visual style in retro video games through the creation of specific graphic design elements such as color palette, and pixel density. By examining how these elements contribute to the nostalgic experience of gaming, it aims to shed light on the enduring appeal of retro visuals and their significance in contemporary game development practices.
After researching retro video game elements, the goal is to blend them with real-life objects, people, and scenes to create a unique visual identity for a convention. This identity will appeal to retro gaming enthusiasts while also attracting a broader audience interested in video games. By combining retro aesthetics with everyday elements, the visual identity will evoke nostalgia and showcase the convention's dynamic and inclusive nature.
Research
I interviewed 14 people at the video game store, and did an online survey to seek insights on their experience with video games, and trying to gather info on what people think and how they feel when talking about retro video games.
Questions
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80s, 90s to early 2000s.
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Top 3 answers:
#1 : Colors
#2: Graphics
#3: Character design and Interface
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Nostalgia can come from different aspects for different people, and not just from the game itself, think about how old games make people feel and do things that don’t happen today or what has changed through time.
Before online games existed people had to go to their friend's houses to play games them.
The feeling of the first time they play or see video games.
The first video game they bought, the packaging of the game.
Define Audience
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16 - 60 years old
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Playing games with friends
Competing with others
Music and sounds in the game
Character design
Graphics and colors
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Gamers, Game developers, Game collectors, Game dealers, and Resellers
Logo Iterations
Logo Final Design
Primary
Changing the typeface to bolder style, adding outline to give a hand-drawn feel, using triangles as the play button.
Secondary
The simplify version stacking two Rs together, and keeping the triangles.
Logo Configurations
Badge Design
The idea of the badges comes from me thinking about what gamers have to bring when going to their friends house to play video games.
Different badge designs for different role in the convention.
Guide Book Design
When designing the guide book for the convention, I think about the importance of game manuals are in the video game world. Nowadays games are usually digital, meaning that this type of media and design become digital as well, sometimes implemented in the game. In a retro video game world, a manual is crucial for players to understand the instructions and details that the developers put inside the game, it is a perfect fit to design the guidebook like a game manual which makes the whole convention into a game.
Guide Book Design
The property of the old video game manual is that it usually feels soft and thin indicating that these are mass-produced and supposed to feel less expensive. The paper material is usually glossy to enhance the variety of colors that were used in these manuals. The size of these manuals could depend on the containers that the company uses, but most of them are a little bit bigger than the palm of a hand for easier reading.
Gift Box Design
The idea of the gift box comes from my experience going to other expos, and conventions. I think it will be cool if there is something that people can receive when they purchase the tickets to the convention, it is like buying a new game in the past where there is packaging and a little introduction in the back of it.
The gift box contains the personal badge, a convention guidebook, and a lanyard.
Closed
Opened
Replay Experience
3D Convention Design
The Replay Experience is designed as an immersive interactive photo booth that brings old video games to life. It features oversized elements, like retro TVs and in-game objects, allowing visitors to feel as if they’re inside the video game itself.
Final 3D Convention Designs
The initial concept included retro video elements, but they were difficult to recognize for those unfamiliar with the theme. To make it clearer, I decided to add more obvious elements like maps and video game controllers to enhance recognition.
