Initial research for material tiles
Here is the initial look at my work for the Yaxha tiles. These illustrations represent the first iterations of the various game surfaces. They served as a foundation to define the materials used for building the pyramids. The goal was to create textures that players could identify immediately. These visuals establish an immersive atmosphere right from the start.
Le défi du réalisme en Flat Design
The publisher’s request was precise. They wanted textures with a realistic feel for materials like wood, straw, stone, and vegetation. I aimed for visual consistency between the box and the various cards. This balance is difficult to achieve. I had to suggest grain and texture without overloading the image with heavy shadows or excessive volume. I remember creating every single blade of straw one by one in Illustrator.
An aesthetic 90-degree turn
After consultation, the publisher based their decision on previous designs I had already created for other projects:
These new cards integrate Maya-style characters into backgrounds representing the plain, the quarry, the beach, and the forest. This shift in artistic direction enriched the game’s universe. It offers deeper, more narrative visuals while maintaining a colorful, fun, and clean “flat design” aesthetic.
