Sketches
The next phase of this process involved developing the Dark Forest identity, aiming to maintain a traditional tavern look while embracing a video game theme. I began by sketching around 50 different designs, experimenting with various tavern elements such as shields, banners, and potion bottles. Initially, the concept was to model the tavern after Bull-E-Wog’s from the Dungeons and Daddies podcast (with permission, of course). However, this idea was discarded in favor of the concept of a secret dark forest tavern where huge, scary monsters would convene.
Through this brainstorming process, the tavern gained a distinct personality and voice, which consistently communicates with its audience.