Create Tabletop Rulebook with InDesign: Gathering references and research.

Your Rulebook isn’t just about rules; it’s a visual and textual guide to a game world. Therefore, the choice of fonts, images, and graphics plays a pivotal role in setting the tone and vibe of your Rulebook. The fonts should be easy to read yet consistent with the thematic elements of the game. Meanwhile, the images and graphics should be more than just eye-candy; they should help explain the rules and enrich the reader’s experience. Choose these elements wisely to create a cohesive and inviting visual experience. Now, what is the best way to pick the right style of graphics for the book? Here is a simple method:

• Step 1: Create a list of important keywords from your design brief. These keywords should describe the type of game, the theme, the mood, the audience. Filter out all the keywords and stick to the essential ones that describe the game in one sentence, for example:
  Game A is a fast-paced fantasy adventure for narrative players.
• Step 2: Based on these keywords, collect images of colors, fonts, illustrations, films, video games, architecture, art movements, art books. Anything that relates to these keywords. Notice how I didn’t mention other similar games. The best thing you can do at the beginning is to get inspiration from the most unexpected sources. Even fantasy is grounded in reality and players will gravitate towards the familiar, even if it comes with a thematic flavor.
• Step 3: Look at the competition and learn from what they have done. Now that you have a library of images full of visual references. You can check out what other similar books designs do to solve graphic challenges. (I want to use this cool texture I have but look how this book uses something similar.) Combine what has inspired you with the techniques the industry does. Take screenshots of things you think you might need to also do in your own book that you might want to learn how to do.
• Step 4: Whatever you need to learn how to do, go online on places like youtube and you’ll find a free tutorial on how to create it. Chances are you are going to find 99% of what you are looking for. Use the research you have done and the keywords you have created to assist you in your search.