Branding, Illustration, Entrepreneurship
Branding, Illustration, Entrepreneurship
This two-volume series of recipe, artwork and writing anthologies combined my hobby of gaming with the real experience of designing for a small business. Homemade in Hyrule is a project that brings together creators who love the Legend of Zelda video game series and collects their contributions into a book and merchandise to be sold to fellow fans, with some profits going to Action Against Hunger.
Note: Book illustrations, such as the cover, belong to their respective owners.
This two-volume series of recipe, artwork and writing anthologies combined my hobby of gaming with the real experience of designing for a small business. Homemade in Hyrule is a project that brings together creators who love the Legend of Zelda video game series and collects their contributions into a book and merchandise to be sold to fellow fans, with some profits going to Action Against Hunger.
Note: Book illustrations, such as the cover, belong to their respective owners.
Vol. 1 (left) and Vol. 2 (right) were delivered to hundreds of customers. Right photo taken by our project manager.
About the project
Role + Responsibilites
Co-founder, Graphics lead (aka Graphics Moderator)
Timeline
2021-present
Tools Used
Procreate, Figma, After Effects
Specs
Both books are 100-page B5 size paperbacks and were bundled with various types of merchandise.
About the project
Role + Responsibilites
Co-founder, Graphics lead (aka Graphics Moderator)
Timeline
2021-present
Tools Used
Procreate, Figma, After Effects
Specs
Both books are 100-page B5 size paperbacks and were bundled with various types of merchandise.
Prompt
Imagine this: you’re fresh out of high school, and you’re in charge of making a brand for a product you invented on a whim!
Solution
Learn by doing, play to your strengths, and find people who know a lot more than you do!
Prompt
Imagine this: you’re fresh out of high school, and you’re in charge of making a brand for a product you invented on a whim!
Solution
Learn by doing, play to your strengths, and find people who know a lot more than you do!
What’s a fanzine?
Zines are self-published, limited run literature. Many zines are hand-printed and bound with low budget and local circulation. However, the Homemade in Hyrule series is different in that it was professionally produced and offered internationally, delighting fans around the world with a high-quality product.
What’s a fanzine?
Zines are self-published, limited run literature. Many zines are hand-printed and bound with low budget and local circulation. However, the Homemade in Hyrule series is different in that it was professionally produced and offered internationally, delighting fans around the world with a high-quality product.
Let’s start from the first book…
During Volume 1, my graphics attracted new project leads, contributor applicants, and sales during our two preorder periods. We use Twitter as our main platform but also post to Instagram. This is older work and has its flaws (especially from a graphic design sense), but it's an important part of the story nonetheless:
Let’s start from the first book…
During Volume 1, my graphics attracted new project leads, contributor applicants, and sales during our two preorder periods. We use Twitter as our main platform but also post to Instagram. This is older work and has its flaws (especially from a graphic design sense), but it's an important part of the story nonetheless:
A new volume, a new chapter
As my design skills had improved by the second book, so did my thought process. When was text important, and in what cases could it take a backseat? Which posts should be more informational, and which ones should hype people up or serve as quick reminders? It was a huge help to have someone managing our social media and help give suggestions.
A new volume, a new chapter
As my design skills had improved by the second book, so did my thought process. When was text important, and in what cases could it take a backseat? Which posts should be more informational, and which ones should hype people up or serve as quick reminders? It was a huge help to have someone managing our social media and help give suggestions.
What’s cozier than soup?
When we came up with the title of the project, we envisioned cozy vibes and home-cooked meals with friends. And what better way to represent this than with warm colors and a bottle of soup for a logo?
When Vol. 1 was getting started, I was just starting college and was too scared to attempt Adobe Illustrator yet, so it’s a raster image and over detailed. I am still scared of Illustrator, but the updated logo is indeed vector! While detailed compared to today's logo trends, I decided that for its use cases, this was acceptable. Even at its smallest size across social media posts, you can see the little herbs in the soup!
What’s cozier than soup?
When we came up with the title of the project, we envisioned cozy vibes and home-cooked meals with friends. And what better way to represent this than with warm colors and a bottle of soup for a logo?
When Vol. 1 was getting started, I was just starting college and was too scared to attempt Adobe Illustrator yet, so it’s a raster image and over detailed. I am still scared of Illustrator, but the updated logo is indeed vector! While detailed compared to today's logo trends, I decided that for its use cases, this was acceptable. Even at its smallest size across social media posts, you can see the little herbs in the soup!
We wanted to spotlight the creators, but 50+ graphics is a challenge. Luckily, I learned that Figma makes templates a breeze. This is just one way I try to find new applications for tools and techniques.
We wanted to spotlight the creators, but 50+ graphics is a challenge. Luckily, I learned that Figma makes templates a breeze. This is just one way I try to find new applications for tools and techniques.
Project Reflections
Great!
My team had to work to keep up communication and stay organized during this fully-remote project. While there were bumps, I felt like I could count on my teammates to value my input and ideas.
Meh…
I struggled to maintain my own standard of quality. While detailed illustrations for social media posts set us apart from other fanzines, this style isn't very sustainable.
How can I improve?
If there's a next volume, implementing a detailed plan and style guide to balance quality with the vast quantity of graphics needed. I'd also improve my typography, as that's lacking.
In all...
The Homemade in Hyrule project has, and continues to teach me that I can help bring a community together to make something brilliant. It’s the longest project I’ve been part of, and because of that, I’ve watched myself mature as a designer, artist, and leader. I never imagined that my passion for gaming could become a serious project, and I’m so glad to be part of it!
Project Reflections
Great!
My team had to work to keep up communication and stay organized during this fully-remote project. While there were bumps, I felt like I could count on my teammates to value my input and ideas.
Meh…
I struggled to maintain my own standard of quality. While detailed illustrations for social media posts set us apart from other fanzines, this style isn't very sustainable.
How can I improve?
If there's a next volume, implementing a detailed plan and style guide to balance quality with the vast quantity of graphics needed. I'd also improve my typography, as that's lacking.
In all...
The Homemade in Hyrule project has, and continues to teach me that I can help bring a community together to make something brilliant. It’s the longest project I’ve been part of, and because of that, I’ve watched myself mature as a designer, artist, and leader. I never imagined that my passion for gaming could become a serious project, and I’m so glad to be part of it!