The graphic design of the Traveller books was shocking at the time . . . so cool and minimalist and professional compared to the trashy production work that was the norm of the late 70s.
It was like something that dropped out of a time warp.
The graphic design of the Traveller books was shocking at the time . . . so cool and minimalist and professional compared to the trashy production work that was the norm of the late 70s.
I think it's cool and professional compared to the slick-but-vulgar production work of today, too. (But I'll never understand why gamers demand splashy, full-color artwork in books that are little more than reference manuals. Sure, sometimes you need a picture to show readers what an Umber Hulk looks like, for example, but most RPG artwork is purely decorative.)
I picked up a couple of the D&D 3.0 books at a used bookstore a few weeks back. A nostalgia fit, I guess.
The artwork is slick, but so . . . overdone? . . . in an archaic/lurid style that makes my teeth ache. It reminds me of the baroque punk style adopted by British games, with mohawked orcs and the like.
To wax McLuhanesque, the art is too "hot." There's not a lot of wiggle room there for you to engage with it.
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avram
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strangeden.livejournal.com - OT
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Date: 2005-04-12 04:28 pm (UTC)It was like something that dropped out of a time warp.
Stefan
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Date: 2005-04-12 05:27 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-04-12 08:42 pm (UTC)I think it's cool and professional compared to the slick-but-vulgar production work of today, too. (But I'll never understand why gamers demand splashy, full-color artwork in books that are little more than reference manuals. Sure, sometimes you need a picture to show readers what an Umber Hulk looks like, for example, but most RPG artwork is purely decorative.)
Yeah . . .
Date: 2005-04-12 08:56 pm (UTC)The artwork is slick, but so . . . overdone? . . . in an archaic/lurid style that makes my teeth ache. It reminds me of the baroque punk style adopted by British games, with mohawked orcs and the like.
To wax McLuhanesque, the art is too "hot." There's not a lot of wiggle room there for you to engage with it.
Stefan
OT
Date: 2005-04-13 04:03 am (UTC)Friended you. :)