Interview about Dastbaf Board Game, winner of the A' Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design Award 2023
The Persian carpet is the most significant aspect of Persian culture. The initial design idea for a board game on a carpet weaving theme originated from the visual principles of Persian miniatures. Illustrations follow the symbolism and abstraction in Persian carpet design as they allow players to interact with each other and brake into the game story. Player boards are specific cities in Iran that are the most recognized for their handmade carpets. Color diversity and dancing motifs surrounding a part of a carpet are considered in the package illustration to empower the visual identity.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe design decisions were fundamentally guided by research and reflection on Persian art, specifically how the principles of Persian Miniature painting could be integrated into a functional game design. The influence of these traditional artistic elements can be distinctly categorized into two primary areas: Form and Color. The resulting visual identity for Dastbaf is the culmination of extensive observation, detailed research, and contemplative thought on Iranian art, ensuring the design choices are both aesthetically rich and strategically sound.
The architectural inspiration for the octagonal playboard came directly from studying the functionality and structure of traditional Persian bazaars, to adapt those real-world logistics into tangible gameplay opportunities. The most significant creative addition was the day and night elements, which were introduced specifically to clearly delineate two distinct, sequential phases of gameplay within the central Bazaar section, significantly enhancing the strategic depth and flow of the game.
The research process into regional carpet motifs was the foundational element for Dastbaf's visual identity. Carpets from different regions across Iran possess unique and distinctive visual patterns, creating a rich artistic framework. This diversity provided the perfect visual context for the player boards, which represent different carpet-weaving workshops in various Iranian cities. This approach not only delivered aesthetic beauty and showcased the regional differences but also had a functional impact on the game. Giving each player a distinct board with a unique visual identity ensured a highly differentiated gameplay experience that is directly tied to the cultural heritage it celebrates.
The process of adapting the abstract symbolism of Persian carpet design involved a core strategy of translation and functional mapping. The process started by deconstructing the traditional motifs into their elemental components, then mapping these ancient patterns to modern game mechanics. For instance, the carpet's geometric grid became the functional layout of the game's carpet tiles. This ensured a clean, contemporary visual style for high readability, making the design elements the language of play itself and seamlessly connecting a centuries-old craft with modern strategy gaming.
The design of the bazaar mechanism was repeatedly tested and evaluated by players in various visual forms before it finally took shape. This iterative process was crucial. The playtesting results ultimately confirmed which design worked best—the one that provided a compelling and balanced experience—and this version was consequently adopted as the final functional design.
Hard box packaging is the industry standard for board games and is highly effective in protecting a product. Given Dastbaf's diverse and numerous components, selecting a hard box was a perfectly logical and justified choice for component safety. This decision meant that the primary responsibility for conveying the game's visual identity and cultural heritage rested entirely on the illustration shown on the package. Focused on creating an abstract, evocative depiction of the game's theme using traditional Iranian visual elements and motifs, the packaging immediately conveyed the cultural essence and aesthetic beauty of Persian carpet art to the player.
Board games are a powerful, engaging platform for disseminating culture, and their tangible, visual elements serve as the most direct tools for this cultural presentation. Therefore, Dastbaf represents an innovative approach to celebrating and honoring this profound art form—Persian carpet weaving—through a completely new lens.
At its heart, Persian visual identity is defined by the dynamic harmony of tradition and innovation. While the essence of carpet weaving remains constant, its methods are continuously reinvented across Iran's regions. This principle of adaptable authenticity became Dastbaf's core design tool. It led to solving the creative challenge, naturally merging the educational value of authentic weaving with an engaging, entertaining visual identity.
The art and craft of carpet weaving involves numerous intricacies and minute details. The primary challenge was finding the precise point of balance between honoring all these visual opportunities and ensuring they did not disrupt the gameplay flow. Achieving this equilibrium—where the visual aesthetics and design principles served the functional mechanics of the board game without compromising their own authenticity—was the biggest hurdle in the visual design of every component.
I believe the core influence will be establishing a successful template for fusing cultural depth with modern interactivity. Iran's culture is vibrant, offering immense visual potential, and gaming serves as a potent medium for visual storytelling. I hope that the Dastbaf model will inspire and be replicated in other cultural contexts, thereby paving the way for a new generation of culturally inspired games that foster a deep and effective connection between the audience and diverse cultural subjects.
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