EI Studio – Q2 Update

I always have a plan – until things don’t go according to plan.

It’s April here in the desert. So that means summer is pretty much starting now. Life things that are on my mind at this moment: taking more walks while I can, swimming during the summer for exercise, and making sure the AC is working well before the AZ sun gets really angry.

There’s lots on my mind with the studio too. I’ve been consulting with a university, serving as a SME as they prepare an upcoming game design degree. There are have also been some contract opportunities I’ve been working on and preparations for upcoming events.

I’ve had to pivot from my Q1 plans for 2025 too. Some economies are struggling right now, such as the game design field which has been deeply impacted by new US regulations / tariffs. Initially I planned to spend lots of time seeking out work in that area as a contract creative, as illustration and design for board games is right up my alley. However, I’m not sure about that now. Many US companies are being forced to close, retool, and even let go staff. So, we’ll see.

Regarding studio-initiated projects, here’s an update on what’s in the works:

Upcoming In-Person Events

Phoenix Fan Fusion – June 6—8 – Catch me in Artist Alley sharing new art, games, and even some fun stuff for creative folks.

CritHit 7 – July 5 & 6 – There’s no fee to visit all the indie pop-up shops at this board game themed event. I’ll have all the merch from Phx Fan Fusion as well as some other goodies.

Game Night at Gamers Guild, North Phoenix (Dates Vary) – If you’d like to meet up, catch a game with me, and chat about stuff watch for updates on my social channels: Insta or Bluesky = @ericimagines.

Escape Station – Vector Transmission

My first Kickstarter Make 100 project was a success! Super-thankful to all who supported Vector Transmission. (Late pledges are available until end of business on Friday, April 25th.)

As of April 22, this project is being prepared for print. The “plan” is to ship Kickstarter backers their copies before I share the project at Phoenix Fan Fusion in June. All is on track for this, barring any vendor snags or delays.

Vector Transmission was cookin’ behind-the-scenes for a while. When Q1 started I didn’t think it I’d get to it early in the year. However, another project fell through and I saw an opportunity to get something created that I could share at upcoming in-person events throughout 2025. So I decided to prioritize its release.

So what is Escape Station? Only in recent years have I had clarity around what it actually “is.” It’s a figurative place of escape for folks who find comfort and purpose in things such as music, zines, games, art, etc. For instance, some of us share gaming experiences with others to escape the nonsense of reality. Some of us create things as a form of escape and entertainment. And some enjoy both. Whatever the case, Escape Station is a state-of-mind. People like us get the world is in turmoil, but rather than withdraw completely, we’re gonna come together to share our love of indie art and games.

Prototype Vector Interplay cards. I’ve been driving around town play-testing and showing off a preview of the first 20 cards. A total of 41 are planned for the first release.

Vector Transmission is a project that includes a two-player card game and a companion art-zine. Both are filled with illustrations and writings from across several different projects I’ve initiated. It’s an “extraverse” of sorts, with its own fictions and mysteries. It’s truly a convergence of my vector art styles and otherworldly stories.

I’ve learned over the years how one project can make all the difference and I’m really excited to see where this one leads!

Bugruckus – Sprout + Charm

The short-form status update is: still cookin’! The rules of the card game are finalized and once work on Vector Transmission’s retail release is done (June), I’ll shift gears back to this one.

Latest efforts on this project have been about capturing small vignettes of writing for cards, editing some card images, and preparing my workflow to colorize all the artwork. The world of Bugchums, where Bugruckus is set, is also becoming more cohesive with additional images, notes, and world-building elements coming together.

Bugchums – Mini-Mart Merchant

This is a game also set within the world of Bugchums, which you can download from my shop, print on your home printer, and play with friends.

The first Bugchums – Mini-Mart game sheet features just hatched bugs from the Charm swarm. I currently have another game sheet in the works featuring “mini” bugs of the Sprout group ,which will be available on my site soon. More to come!

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Here’s an updated release schedule as we head towards Q3. Things to know: I’m available for illustration commissions, game design projects, and in-person events. Contact me to discuss options!

A quick note regarding “Hyperlight Slice” – this is a coloring book project that’s on pause as I evaluate some options for its production. I have about 30 pages complete in terms of art and lots more sketches to finalize as well. I’ll likely pick up progress on this one again starting in Fall 2025.

As always, if you read this – that was really cool of you! Thank you for your support!

–E

EI Studio - Q1 Update

A brief update as we dive into 2025. Thanks for supporting my studio!

I’m looking forward to a busy, full and fun schedule here in the studio during 2025, with lots of things lined up. To start, here’s three things I’m focusing on for Q1.

Illustration commissions

I’ll be taking on more commissions for individual entrepreneurs, midsized agencies and even some long-time creative friends. If you like the art here on my site, you’ll like working with me. If you have a project in the new year to chat about, let’s chat!

Games, games, games

The tabletop game space is boom, boom, booming. While the pace of growth may be impacted due to overseas tariff changes and other policies that will make consumers pay more for games from big companies, us indie publishers have some opportunities to innovate.

I’ll have some announcements coming up soon for new projects!

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Here’s a 2025 schedule of projects in progress. It’s a bit squishy as some release date timings will be impacted by economic realities and other variables. But I’m committed to these projects and I’m making good progress on them daily!

Thanks for reading this! I look forward connecting and collaborating with local artists and designers here in the desert and lots of you online too. If you wanna chat sometime, contact me here.

–E

It Starts, Again

Frank Herbert said “beginnings are fragile things.” But there’s strength too.

2024. The future. Well, it was the future when I was walking home from school in the 80-90s. With all those Stranger Things, small-town vibes I just regarded as everyday life. On TV, the commercials dripped with optimism about the future. In 2024, everything would fly and or be wireless. Clean lines and slick threads would dominate fashion. Food would taste better and be better for us!

So, what do you think about where we are? Right.

Strength to begin

If you’re starting something new this year, give yourself some credit. It’s tough to start stuff. Especially the things that matter a lot. On October 31st 2023, I waved bye to my day job to focus on my creative studio. Who knows what 2024 will bring. I’m feeling strong so far and have reasons to be optimistic about my business.

But I also know some days will be better than others. Cause that’s life. Here’s what I’m doing to stay ready for opportunities and make some of my own.

1. Invest time

When I don’t have a client project on the desk, I’m actively developing and making products of my own. Digital products, tabletop game experiences and print-making are key areas of focus. I’m also recalibrating my time to minimize social media distractions.

2. Promote connection

Speaking of which, social media is not connection. I truly believe most people know this, but we’ve got to come to terms with the time we’re giving away to Instagrub, Facebark and all the other channels. So, curating is in order. Virtual calls can work, but I’m favoring experiences that bring us together. In-person collaborations, in-person chats with clients and friends and tabletop gaming too!

3. Build community

As creatives we need to encourage each other to keep growing and keep going. Mentally, we’ve all been through “extra” these past few years. Listening to others tell their stories, being a resource for them and offering perspectives is top of mind for me.

4. Make ideas happen

In prior years, I allowed distractions and procrastination to sneak into my mindset. I struggled with taking on too much stress and falling prey to myths around “multi-tasking” as a creative. No more. Getting anything done that matters to us, is a choice involving work.

We have now

Real quick, I tried running my business full-time before. Yup. In 2009. It went ok, but not well. After a couple years, I accepted another in-house design job. What happened? Well frankly, I still needed time to collaborate and learn from others in a business setting. I needed to pay off more debts and establish a greater network as well.

It’s 15 years later. The future is here. Now. It’s a sorta strange, upside down or inside out world. But regardless, we can’t spend time being too concerned about the future. Or the past. We have now. And that’s the best time to start again.

–E