I’ve always found chess a bit intimidating - it’s often called the smartest board game ever invented! So I decided to design a cute and characterful chess set that would make it feel more approachable and fun for my partner and me as we learned to play.
I started by sketching the pieces, sticking to a limited color palette, much like the classic game. I wanted each piece to be easy to recognize with simple, universal shapes, but also to have its own unique personality and expression. I aimed to make each piece so cute that you’d want to keep them all safe, rather than losing any along the way!
Next, I hand-sculpted each piece from air-drying clay, then painted them with bold, vibrant colors, and finished them off with a glossy resin varnish. The board and fabric pouches also got a personal touch with hand-painted details.
Mission accomplished! Now, every game of chess we play is full of fun and personality!
