Card Game Design / Character Illustration / Community

SSOOCCIIAALL YYAAKKSS Card Game Design

Client
Social Yaks
Year
2022
Scope
Card Game Design / Illustration
Industry
Games / Community / Youth

A card game that breaks ice and breaks barriers. The animals carry the weight of the questions. Their expressions make it palpable.

Slot 01
Hero / Brand world
21:9
01
The Brief

The best icebreaker is one that doesn't feel like one.

Social Yaks is a community card game designed to create real conversation. The brief: build a visual world around a yak — an animal expressive enough to carry any emotion, absurd enough to disarm any tension.

The result: a full character illustration system, card design architecture, and a game identity that feels like a cult object from the first time you hold it.

Slot 03
3
4:3
Slot 04
4
4:3
02
Process
01
Character Development
The yak needed to carry every human emotion without being human. Dozens of expressions sketched before locking the final character system. Each card gets a unique expression.
02
Card Architecture
Three card types, one visual language. The hierarchy had to be legible in two seconds across a table. Color-coded by type, illustrated by character.
03
Game Identity
The brand extends beyond the cards: box design, instruction booklet, social identity. Every touchpoint reinforces the absurdist warmth of the brand.
04
Print Production
Printed to playing-card spec. Linen finish. Spot UV on the box. The physical object had to feel as considered as the design.
03
52

A game that sells itself in person. Every demo converts. Social Yaks became a word-of-mouth phenomenon before any paid marketing.

Slot 07
Game in play — community session
16:9
52
Cards in the deck, each individually illustrated
3
Card types with distinct visual hierarchy
Conversations started per game
04
Color Palette
Deep Gold#1a1200
Warm Gold#F5A623
White#FFFFFF
Typography
Aa Bb Cc
Syne
Display / Brand
Aa Bb Cc
Instrument Serif
Body / Tagline
Aa Bb Cc
Syne Mono
Labels / UI
Packaging Mockups
Slot 09
Box — Packaging Detail
4:3
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