Graphic Design: Visiting Designers

2018 Analogy + Interaction Gallery Talks

The Ewing Gallery hosted an exhibit by Graphic Design: Analogy + Interaction: Creating a Context for Curiosity though Games + Play, on Sept. 5 and Sept. 7, 2018, for open conversations with game designers. Exhibiting designers Skyped in for discussions and Q+A session about their games. The exhibition closed on Friday with a Community of Scholars Discussion and a reception.

The schedule included conversations with the following:

• Tracy Fullerton – Walden, a game.
• Hayley Gordon + Vee Hendro – Good Society
• Erika Svanoe + Erik Evensen – Marrying Mr. Darcy
• Peter Brinson + Kurosh Valanejad – The Cat + The Coup

Read more about each game designer and the Community of Scholars:

Tracy Fullerton – Walden, a game.

Join us for an open skype conversation with game designer Tracy Fullerton about Walden, a game. This presentation is in conjunction with Analogy + Interaction: creating a context for curiosity through Games + Play, currently on display in the Ewing Gallery.

Technology is often accused of disconnecting us from nature and the world around us, however Walden, a game posits a new genre of video game play, in which reflection and insight play an important role.

Play as Henry David Thoreau, the American philosopher and naturalist, during his experiment in living simply in nature. Apply yourself to both the daily tasks of maintaining your basic needs of life at Walden Pond, as well as searching for the small beauties and wonders of nature in this virtual environment. Can we re-engage with the importance of nature in our lives while navigating the virtual woods of Walden Pond?

Tracy Fullerton M.F.A., is a game designer, educator and author with twenty-five years of professional experience. She is currently Director of the joint USC Games Program, which is a collaboration between the School of Cinematic Arts and the Viterbi School of Engineering. She is also a Professor and Chair of the Interactive Media & Games Division of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. In December 2008, she was installed as the holder of the Electronic Arts Endowed Chair of Interactive Entertainment. Tracy is the author of Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Designing Innovative Games. This design textbook is in use at game programs worldwide. Her research lab, the Game Innovation Lab, is a leading center for game design research. Recent credits include faculty adviser for the award-winning student games Cloud, and flOw; and game designer for The Night Journey, a unique game/art project with media artist Bill Viola. She is currently designing a game based on Henry David Thoreau’s experiment in living at Walden Pond. Also, she is leading a team of designers to create a suite of college knowledge games collectively known as FutureBound Games.’=

Hayley Gordon + Vee Hendro – Good Society

Join us for an open skype conversation with game designers Hayley Gordon + Vee Hendron about Good Society. This presentation is in conjunction with Analogy + Interaction: creating a context for curiosity through Games + Play, currently on display in the Ewing Gallery.

Good Society is a collaborative roleplaying game that seeks to capture the heart, and the countenance, of Jane Austen’s work. It is a game of balls, estates, sly glances, and turns about the garden. At least on the surface. Underneath this, just as in Austen’s own novels, it is a game of social ambition, family obligation and breathtaking, heart-stopping longing.

In this game, you play the type of characters that captured your imagination in Austen’s books – from a wealthy heir who falls in love with the aloof new arrival, to a charming socialite bent on ruining the reputation of their rivals. Exploit your advantages, connections, and family influence to achieve your secret desire – all while jealously guarding your good name.

Erika Svanoe + Erik Evensen – Marrying Mr. Darcy

Join us for an open skype conversation with game designers Erika Svanoe + Erik Evensen about Marrying Mr. Darcy. This presentation is in conjunction with Analogy + Interaction: creating a context for curiosity through Games + Play, currently on display in the Ewing Gallery.

Marrying Mr. Darcy is a strategy card game where players are one of the female characters from Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice. Players work to improve themselves and attract the attention of the available Suitors. The ladies do this by attending Events and improving their Characters, but advantage can be gained by the use of Cunning. All of their efforts are in hopes of marrying well and becoming the most satisfied character at the end of the game!

Marrying Mr. Darcy is the first game designed by Erika Svanoe, conductor, musician, and lover of all things Austen. Art and graphic design are provided by award winning illustrator and graphic novelist, Erik Evensen.

Peter Brinson + Kurosh Valanejad – The Cat + The Coup

Join us for an open skype conversation with game designers Peter Brinson + Kurosh Valanejad about The Cat + The Coup. This presentation is in conjunction with Analogy + Interaction: creating a context for curiosity through Games + Play, currently on display in the Ewing Gallery.

The Cat and the Coup is a documentary videogame in which you play the cat of Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh, the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Iran. During the summer of 1953, the CIA engineered a coup to bring about his downfall. As a player, you coax Mossadegh back through significant events of his life by knocking objects off of shelves, scattering his papers, jumping on his lap and scratching him.