BOARD GAME DESIGN
2020 – PRESENT
INTIMACY, PLAYFUL, DESI
PassPaas: Passion Project
Board game experience designed to bring South Asian families together by facilitating intimate conversations.
The Need
Many South Asian families lack the framework for cultivating emotional intimacy. Parents struggle to communicate with children and children struggle to be vulnerable with their parents. Older members of desi families may struggle to be honest about their emotional experiences.
The Solution
Some of the most delicate challenges are best dealt with through play. PassPaas pays homage to South Asia’s love for board games. The game creates a safe and playful space for families to introduce rituals of emotional processing and intergenerational connection through open conversation.
Components
How to play
Board
Die
Tokens
Decks of Cards
In order to move forward, the player must draw a card from one of the decks. These cards contain conversation and action prompts that encourage the players to reflect, share stories and interact with their family members.
The gameplay is inspired by Ludo (also known as Pacheesi). Each player must race against the others to move their three tokens around the board and up the home column.
The consequence for not engaging with the card or choosing to “pass” is staying in your place. Thus, the player that is most reflective, honest & vulnerable in the game is likeliest to win.
The reward for answering the question on the card is moving your token forward the number of steps shown by the dice.
The Challenge
As someone with almost no experience in game design, it took research, talking to industry professionals and playing games myself to understand how to build one. It was also important to me to extensively research the many variations of South Asian family dynamics and synthesize that information.
My Role
I began with ethnographic research and ideating, and tested lo-fi prototypes. Once I was happy with the game mechanics, I employed my skillset as a brand designer to create a cohesive visual identity. Finally, I produced and assembled the physical game. This was over the course of 8 months.
The Cards:
Visual Language
The name PassPaas is a play on a Hindi phrase which translates to “close together”. I wanted a typographic logo that was fun and playful. I created a custom typeface using a rounded sans serif base, yet the letters are all connected in some way, evoking togetherness. The shape of the first letter “P” in the logo derives from letter “pa” in the Devanagri script used in several South Asian languages.
Typography
Color Palette
Imagery
Most importantly, large patchwork quilts are a motif in large South Asian family gatherings, where cousins and grandparents all gather on mattresses, sharing quilts, playing board games and telling stories. The visual language is an ode to the culture of togetherness.
I also took the concept of fabric further and drew from the well-known desi embroidery technique called “phulkari” for other elements of the game.
For the packaging, I was inspired by fabric and the idea of being woven together, specifically patchwork.
Patchwork is where individual fabrics with their unique qualities come together to create a harmonious design, much like how this game approaches the concept of family. It is also nostalgic of quilts and blankets, which evoke childhood, familiarity and warmth.
Research
Interviews with industry professionals such as South Asian therapists (to understand intergenerational trauma and family dynamics) and board / card game designers.
Surveys and conversations with young South Asians on their upbringings, family dynamics and interest in relationship work.
Extensive research paper on Narratives of Mental Health in South Asia (Click to read).
Personas
Anuj Shah, 28
Consultant who has access to therapy through his employment. He’s discovered the benefits of open empathetic dialogue.
His work keeps him away from his aging parents and is looking for a fun way to bond with them.
Rehana Khan, 64
Blogger and author who rediscovered her passions after her kids grew up.
Her family is busy and she wants to spend quality time with her husband, kids and grandkids every weekend.
PassPaas was exhibited at the Parsons Integrated Design Thesis Exhibition at Aronson Gallery, overlooking 5th Avenue in NYC. Click here for more info.
Next Steps
I intend to develop and produce this game. I am currently in the prototyping stage, testing the game with interested people. To receive a PDF of the game that you can print at home and play with your family, please get in touch!