SeniorExhibitionProject

Artist’s Statement:

The main principle of Continuum is the idea of terraformation, taking a barren planet and utilizing technology to bring it to life. This transformation is the concept behind Continuum, the title tells how each step along the way creates miniscule changes, but the contrast between the start and finish is drastic. Throughout the gameplay, terraformation is illustrated through the modular tile system of the board. Each hexagonal tile has two sides, the first, which is shown at the start of the game, is barren and lifeless. As the game progresses, tiles are flipped to show how the environment changes through the process of terraformation. The second side of each tile shows the growth of plant life and the introduction of an atmosphere in contrast to the barren beginnings of the game. The players are responsible for making this transformation, working together to create machines which fuel the terraformation process and create a liveable biosphere.

At the core, my interest in graphic design lies in the combination of logic and creativity. Problem solving is something I wanted to be a prominent focus of this final project, while also showing the connection to my work in illustration studio courses. A personal tie into the concept of the project is the idea of gradual transformation. The measured nature of terraformation ties into my creative process, each step or alteration enacts small changes which slowly evolve into a final product. At its core, developing Continuum required thoughtful planning as well as trial and error to refine gameplay to be functional as well as interesting for the hypothetical player. Through designing Continuum I found new ways of combining the wide array of skills learned through coursework, combining graphic design and illustration to construct a fully playable board game.