TTRPG Layout Inspiration
As I work through the layout for Rift Walker in a zine, I wanted to go through some of my inspirations. I am sure I have forgotten some through the years or reading books, but these stand out for various reasons. This doesn’t include content inspiration, just design, layout and some rough art ideas.
Nimble - looking through the design vlogs from Evan has been super inspirational. I love his simple border, InDesign mini tutorials, setting up great headers, short but importantly used text. Headers and use of spreads are also rad! Lots of inspiration everywhere!
Vagabond - Taron is the master of design. there is accessibility at forefront, the use of simple colour and heavy blacks to keep things easy to read. The use of the random dice numbers and the single spreads for all design ideas is very inspirational.
Shadowdark - the short text, super flavoursome writing, simple headers and the commitment to the easy readability is the best. Kelsey did the great work in easy to read spacing, and the tables look awesome. I like that the layout is backed into the writing so that it makes you keep text fit into a spread.
Index Card RPG (and anything Runehammer games) - The straight forward hand drawn art to capture imagination, the tables that are easy to read, the designed arrows and scribble to point out ideas, the column use, the inspiration doesn't end. I would also put in Crown and Skull, Viking Death Squad and Hex zines, into this!
Mothership - This is the master class in design layout. There is great use of space, with pull out options across a page. There are great breakdowns of text, and images in black and white are definitely an inspiration to me.
Some other inspiration goes to: Flail RPG, Mausritter, anything JP Coovert, Five Torches Deep, FatherFog, Solar Blades and Cosmic Spells, Ion Heart, Forbidden Lands and Gloam RPG, Pamphlet of Pantheons.
Below is some pics from the art inspiration, sharing for the completeness of review, not to infringe on any creative copyright. All copyright is owned by the rights holders!
