Going from idea to prototype is one of the biggest jumps in game design. It’s about getting the game out of your head and onto the table. Nothing will give you more information about a game than actually playing it. And what truly separates the average designer and the great designer is the ability to navigate the prototype stage.
Contents
- Start Here
- Prototyping Companies
- Tools
- Game Parts
- Wooden Parts
- Dice
- Custom Dice
- Custom Cards
- Custom Playmats
- Custom Game Boards
- DIY
- DIY Boards
- DIY Cards
- DIY Dice
- DIY Tokens, Tiles, & Counters
- DIY Boxes
- DIY Standees
- Money
- Miniatures
- Art
- Art & Graphic Design
- Icons
- Fonts
- Print & Play
- More Reading
Start Here
Are Your Prototypes Good Enough?
Prototypes: How Much Time and Money to Spend
The 3 Distinct Stages of Prototyping
How to Prototype a Game in Under 7 Days
How to Design a Board or Card Game: 10 Prototyping Tips
Prototyping Techniques to Make an Awesome Looking Game
9 Board Game Prototype Problems
Creating a Prototype and Getting Your Game Tested
Pretty up your Prototype: Stage 1 – The Computer
Pretty up your Prototype: Stage 2 – Tools and Supplies part 1
Pretty up your Prototype: Stage 2 – Tools and Supplies part 2
Making Board Games Virtually: A Review of 5 Tools
Prototyping Companies
Tools
Game Parts
Melt Plastic Beads to Create Game Parts
Wooden Parts
Dice
Custom Dice
Custom Cards
Custom Playmats
Custom Game Boards
Custom Game Boards Printed on Fabric
More Custom Game Boards Printed on Fabric
DIY
How to Make a Professional Looking Prototype (Video)
Art Hack for the Artless (Video)
DIY Boards
How to Make a Cardstock Prototype Gameboard
How to Make a Game Board (Video)
How to Make a Folding Game Board
How to Make a Bi Fold Board (Video)
How to Make a Tri Fold Board (Video)
How to Make a Retail Worthy Quarter Fold Board
DIY Cards
How to Build Prototypes: Cards, Tiles, and Counters
How to Make Professional Looking Cards
How to Make Custom Cards with Fronts and Backs
How to Make Quick and Cheap Card Holders
DIY Dice
Make Custom Dice with Decals and Wooden Cubes
Make Custom Dice with Stickers
DIY Tokens & Counters
How to Build Prototypes: Cards, Tiles, and Counters
How to Make Tiles and Tokens (Video)
How to Make Circular Tokens and Counters with an Arch Punch
How to Make Custom Wooden Tokens
Sticker Maker to Add Adhesive to Your Tokens
How to Use Vinyl Floor Tiles to Make Game Tokens (Video)
Make Custom Tokens by Transferring Inkjet to Wood
How to Make High Quality Circular Tokens and Coins
Simple Circle Cutter Tool to Make Tokens
Why to Use Tokens in Your Game
DIY Boxes
Create Your Own Game Box (with Templates)
How to Make Foam Board Inserts
How to Make a Game Box (Video)
How to Make Tuck Boxes (Video)
DIY Standees
How to Make Easy Paper Miniatures
How to Make Simple Standees/Minis
How to Make Super Cheap Standees
Money
How to Make Custom Pirate Doubloons
Sci-Fi Themed Paper Money (Small Denominations)
Sci-Fi Themed Paper Money (Large Denominations)
Turn Poker Chips into Board Game Money
Stickers to Turn American Coins into Board Game Money (Lots of Theme Options)
Miniatures
Art
Free Art and Design Software – GIMP
Free Art and Design Software – INKSCAPE
Pixel Art Tutorials Open Game Art
Photoshop Basics: Video Tutorial
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Internet Archive of Book Images
Art & Graphic Design
Finding Art for Your Prototype (Video)
Graphic Design: Prototyping Priorities
How Not to Do Card Layout and Design
Icons
Fonts
Print & Play
6 Ways to Improve Your Print and Play
Tips for Creating Print and Plays
7 Tips for Creating Print and Plays
More Reading
Organizing Your Game Design Space
3 Tips for Prepping a Prototype for Reviewers
What’s in Your Prototyping Collection
Lecture on Going from Prototype to Production (Video)
10 Uses for Pennies in Board Game Prototypes
Getting Buzz for Your Prototype
*Please note that some of the links on this page are affiliate links.*