DE4403: Games Design (MA) Updates on Character Designs.

The logo for Chesspionage has now been designed, with the core themes of Chess's visuals in mind, a black and white checkerboard, with the white King piece in the middle, signifying its importance.

Each of the Chess Set characters in my project Chesspionage's deigns have been finalized. Any of the seperately chosen heads that I had as a draft were used in creating the other side of the chess board, all in order to give each side some more differences and identity from each other.

The Ivory side was designed to be more heroic and friendlier than the Ebony side, who is designed to be more mysterious and malevolent, despite bearing a lot of similarities.

Many of my design processes and inspirations were already described in previous blog posts, however there are many things I have not described yet.

The flag atop of the Rook's head is inspired by a regular castle turret with a flag waving in the background.

Both the King and Queen are designed to be wearing regalia worn by various royal families.

The Bishop's Ebony counterpart was designed with russian priests and bishops in mind, who sport long hair and large beards.

 

The remaining sketches of characters who were not finalized are meant to represent newer pieces that would work for a  game of chess.

The Archer piece is designed after many different depictions of the fabled Robin Hood, complete with the feathered hat, bow, small goatee and moustache, and tall collar.


The Thief is designed after Zorro, whilst also wearing leather armour to help protect against minor injuries whilst sneaking around tight areas. He is also seen with a sack full of riches, to help further convey that he is a thief.


The Jester is designed after a combination of traditional jester clothing, seen in a royal court, whilst also being a mix of Mardi Gras outfit, identified with the Fleur DeLis on the front. The two small sceptres also have the same shape as a jester hat, used as a prop for their act.



The Dragon piece is designed after western dragons in mythology, helped by the arms positioned like a rampant dragon, seen in heraldry. The sides of the head show skin-like frills much like Western dragons were depicted to have, most likely meant to be imposing. It was also important to give this dragon a somewhat comical and innocent appearance ot fit in with the design family of the rest of the chess pieces.