Operation Cooldown
Print Design
Product Design
Illustration
Branding
Operation Cooldown aims to create a fun and collaborative environment for players 9 years old and up to learn and discuss climate solutions. Learning about and changing the world for the better doesn’t have to be scary!
Phase 1 & 2
Operation Cooldown started as a game where players reduced greenhouse emissions on fictional planets, but this version lacked the importance of location. The impact of climate solutions can vary from region to region so location specificity is essential.
In version 2, players were given money to invest in solutions throughout the five regions of the United States. Solution cards award points towards a certain category, such as energy or transportation. Some cards could only be played in certain regions. This concept would go on to become the backbone of the final card game. Play-testing revealed the lack of clear instructions, too much text, and an unclear scoring system were some of the biggest problems.
Final Version
The previous stages focused primarily on play-testing to develop the basic game mechanics. The third and final version brings new typefaces, a distinct card and illustration style, climate tokens, a play mat, a score sheet, clear instructions, and a more balanced scoring and money system.
Typeface
Geologica was chosen because it has the rounded forms of a typeface that are more common in kids media, while still feeling clean and modern.
Geologica
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz
1234567890
!@#$%^&*()<>?”:
Thin, ExtraLight, Light, Regular, Medium,
SemiBold, Bold, ExtraBold, Black
Illustration Style
The halftone was created using the “Shader - Dot 2 / 45 ° / Light” brush from True Grit Texture Supply. Primary colors and shapes were used to define the 3 characters illustrated throughout the cards. The bright colors and distinct art style helped to set the tone of the game.
Box
The box was designed and built from scratch to perfectly fit all the elements of the game including cards, tokens, playing mat, and instruction manual.
Cards
The final card design includes gameplay elements across the top of the card with the illustration in the middle and the title and description at the bottom. The back of the cards indicated the card's category including Building, Energy, Industry, Land, Transit, Multiplier, and Chaos.
Illustrations
Every card features a custom illustration depicting the different climate solutions players could play.
Game Mat and Climate Tokens
The game mat features five regions of the United States (not including Alaska or Hawaii) where the solution cards can be played, as well as areas to place your chaos card and your climate tokens.
Climate tokens are earned at the beginning of each round and can be used to play solution cards.
Score Sheet
Score sheets are used to keep track of the amount of points at the end of each round. There is a normal and hard difficulty with corresponding score sheets.
Process Book
To learn more. check out this in-depth research and design process book created for the Lamar Dodd School of Art exit show.