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[Cataphract]

Imagine you had the power to change the art etc. of Dominion. This is not a rant or something, but just some points that would make this great game (visually) look even greater. What would you change?

I would change the the artwork of the backs of the cards into something better/more professional looking. e.g. Get rid of the light blue background, get rid of the letter font used for the logo "Dominion" and use a proper, clear and nice looking "medieval" font with a nice 'wooden' frame around it. I also would change the box artwork , the manual (color especially) and presentation of the rules, which are quite confusing, while the rules are actually so simple.

Basically my main artist would be Michael Menzel... let him do all the art, front/back, box etc etc.

Like I said, just some thoughts

Yours?

[Morgrim7]

Some of the cartoon art (i.e. Shanty Town) could be changed. As for the backs, I think light blue is fine... and the font is awesome... but I would also change the box artwork. Other than that, the artwork is really good.

[Grujah]

I would make Stash, instead of special back, double-fronted (stash picture both sides!).

[dor]

Some of the cartoon art (i.e. Shanty Town) could be changed.

I second that. Shanty Town, Navigator, Harem etc.

[Kirian]

Some of the cartoon art (i.e. Shanty Town) could be changed.

I second that. Shanty Town, Navigator, Harem etc.

Poor, poor Maura.  He just wasn't the artist to choose for these cards (due to his style), but he get so maligned for it, so much more than he deserves...

[Kuildeous]

Poor, poor Maura.  He just wasn't the artist to choose for these cards (due to his style), but he get so maligned for it, so much more than he deserves...

Yeah, his work is generally pretty good. It just contrasts so sharply against the styles of the other artists, and that makes him stand out in a not-so-positive way. Although, while I can appreciate Shanty Town and Navigator on their own, I still just don't like the Harem artwork. I guess artists need to have something that are not that great.

I'm not all that familiar with game production, but I suspect that the reason there's not a consistent art style from a single artist is that it takes a long time to come up with these illustrations. If an expansion had to rely on one artist getting everything done, then it would never release on time (or be later than usual, if you're the jaded sort). I imagine that having many artists allow the production team to cleave more closely to the deadline.

I remember noticing this in On the Edge. Greg Houston's style was so different compared to the other artists, but it worked for the Satanist cards (if you're curious, http://cdn101.iofferphoto.com/img/item/624/924/21/o_kL4JNQaDq4WPb0A.jpg)

But then, OnTE had a pretty diverse pool of artists, so it's hard to say that the game had a consistent look to it. At least with Dominion, the non-Maura cards look similar enough to have a general look.

[chwhite]

Shanty Town and Navigator are alright, actually- it's really just Harem that's a problem.

What I don't like about Dominion's art can be summed up in one word: "Intrigue."  Scout and Minion are pretty ugly, too.

[Obi Wan Bonogi]

I just brought this up in another thread but this is a fitting place as well:  I would change the color of the treasures so that gold was gold, silver was silver, etc.  Its so unclear when far away and even confusing when theyre in your hand.

[Robz888]

Here's a card I don't see mentioned much in the "bad artwork" discussions: Festival. I can't stand it. It's not festive at all. Just some tents and the weird shrugging guy with a sword. Why a sword?

I actually prefer the Isotropic art for Festival. Those people are having a party.

[Kuildeous]

Here's a card I don't see mentioned much in the "bad artwork" discussions: Festival. I can't stand it.

Just because the lawn gnomes didn't invite you to their party doesn't mean you should be bitter about it. Let it go, man.

[brokoli]

I like Harem. Yes.
On the other side, I hate the artwork of Shanty town...
Beyond that, I am satisfied with the artwork of Dominion, although I prefer the french/german edition, which have a very beautiful title on the box.

[Cataphract]

I just brought this up in another thread but this is a fitting place as well:  I would change the color of the treasures so that gold was gold, silver was silver, etc.  Its so unclear when far away and even confusing when theyre in your hand.

A great point! Absolutely.

[Tables]

I would change the artwork of Native Village.


Okay, look at that tree growing out of the roof in the background. Look closer. Follow the curve of it's trunk down. ... Where did it go? It's literally rooted in the roof! It annoys me every time I play, and to rub salt in the wounds it's printed in extra large on a mat.

[popsofctown]

Here's a card I don't see mentioned much in the "bad artwork" discussions: Festival. I can't stand it. It's not festive at all. Just some tents and the weird shrugging guy with a sword. Why a sword?

I actually prefer the Isotropic art for Festival. Those people are having a party.

The Isotropic art for Festival is taken from a different card game that hires better artists, for a card whose name is "Festival of the Guildpact".  So there's  no irony in that.