EI Studio – Q2 Update
Springin’ into Summer
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!
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
2025? Is that you? Cool.
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!
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
EI Year One
Here to grow.
Some reflections on my first year as a full-time business owner.
Back in the 90s, I thought 2024 was gonna be awesome. For lots of reasons that didn’t include me working for myself. Well, here I am. No flying cars or personal robot sandwich makers. But super-appreciative for what I have been able to accomplish.
Here’s five areas I invested in this year:
1 - Flip Doodle Deluxe
The success of Flip Doodle back in 2020, which was released as a resource for creatives, teachers and parents, led me to create Flip Doodle Deluxe (FDD). There are 72 cards, 528 words, 50 kinds of challenges and pretty much infinite combinations of creative prompts possible. All in one solid little carrying case that’s ready to travel wherever you go.
Overall, this project took two years to complete. I worked from the original Flip Doodle PDFs I released and elaborated on them. This involved adding new word prompts, removing some, thinking about how different word mashups would play off each other, etc. It’s so satisfying to have completed this one!
2 - Bugchums – Mini-Mart Merchant
Bugchums – Mini-Mart Merchant (BCMMM) is a dice game you print on your home printer or at local print shop. Download all the files from my shop, grab some dice and a pen and go! I grew up playing dice games like Yahtzee, so drew a little inspiration from those experiences. The result is a snappy roll-and-write game that can be played solo or with lots of chums.
Game design is a true design discipline, on par with environmental design, industrial design, graphic design, etc. Taking things like gameplay rules, probabilities, chance happenings, visual elements, physical components and more, and converting all these things into fun is a true challenge. I’m getting better by doing it.
3 - Bugruckus – Game Companion
I created the Bugruckus Game Companion as a world-building reference to help keep me stay organized as I create the upcoming Bugruckus card game. This 64 page ebook is like an almanac for the world of Bugchums. It includes lots of artwork, all sorts of bug facts, info about the Bumble Isles and tons of information for folks who want to bee-come bugologists. (That’s a real job, I checked. And pun = 100% intentional!)
Book-making is something I’ve loved for a long time. Book covers, page structure, layout – all of it scratches a design itch for me. But I also want to create content that shows how committed I am to the intellectual properties I author. And as for writing as a craft, again the only way to get better is by doing it and embracing a continuous learning mindset.
4 - Ramp Up Client Commissions
Client commissions this year included some logo / identity design, t-shirt illustrations for Verrado High School and some animation packages. While I don’t post client work on my site, I do have a portfolio of those samples I share directly with potential clients when I meet with them. I also have a list of clients I’ve worked with here.
My goal in 2025 is to increase illustration commissions. I’d really like to create more artwork for textiles, clothing lines, decorator art, postcard sets, social media content, books and identity work for entrepreneurs. If you or anyone you know is looking to hire out such work, have them talk to me. My rates are affordable and I pride myself on being easy to work with.
5 - Attending / Hosting Events
During 2024 I did two main events – Family Fun Day at Phoenix Art Museum and Phoenix Design Week’s OASIS Conference. Both were really engaging and were great opportunities to meet the public, answer questions and connect with other creatives.
During 2025 I have at least two events I’m involved with and I’ll have some announcements coming regarding events I’ll be hosting in person and online!
Thank you to everyone who supported my studio in some way this year – with commissions, purchases from my shop and encouragement at events. It means a lot.
So what’s next? 2025 = time to think about what to work on next year! A quick sneak peak below. More to come soon.
–E