Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 31/03/2025I unironically love this font. But yes, probably. 010
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 28/03/2025Days 6 & 7 - We’re into the slower building stage where I’m not going to show some WIPs in favour of the finished product 🙂 but I did finish a small box and made significant progress on the city. Aiming to have the model finished tomorrow! 030
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 25/03/2025Day 5 - I have reached the larger props. No finished products today but lots of measuring and cutting. Half of a hidden compartment was constructed (twice, but I think I’ve got it this time!) and foam was cut for what will soon be a sci-fi computer console. Can’t wait to get back to painting! 140
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 25/03/2025I may be trying to build an escape room right now, but I still designed a new card game today themed after crochet. I knew my newest hobby would make it into a game eventually! Working title: Granny Squares 020
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 24/03/2025Day 4 - Migraines and bad weather made today a bit slower than usual. But I did design a base for the rocket and cut some pieces. In retrospect I should have avoided the mitred edges. Also designed some more buildings for the city but haven’t assembled them yet. 110
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 23/03/2025Day 3 - Made a start on the miniature city prop - that’s going to take several days to complete. Painted a small locker prop and designed a bunch of graphics for the miniature city. Doesn’t feel like much. Maybe tomorrow I’ll start on some of the larger builds. 130
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 22/03/2025Day 2 cont - Forgot that I also had to make a trip to buy some more hardware and wood. I misjudged the size needed for a secret compartment and need to build a new one. Why are cabinet hinges so large?? 120
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 22/03/2025Day 2 - Finished painting the rocket and I love how it looks! Very retro and cartoony which is the vibe of the game. I also cut some pvc pipe and painted the pieces to make some dynamite props. So glad I found letter stickers in my craft supplies so I didn’t have to paint them. 140
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 22/03/2025Day 1 - I designed and ordered the banner for the game as well as some other print materials. Also cut apart the rocket prop that was made for me in advance, glued in dowels and started to prime and paint 110
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 22/03/2025Is it possible to build an escape room in 10 days? I’m going to try! I’ve spent the last few months gathering supplies and planning the design, and my goal is to have everything built by the end of the month. (Maybe it will happen, maybe not, but let’s try anyway!) 3171
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 18/03/2025The end of a busy four days in Toronto! It was great to spend time with escape room friends and board game friends. Can’t wait to do it again! 030
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 14/03/2025Ready for @breakoutcon.bsky.social to start today! With a lovely view of Toronto from my hotel room 041
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 13/03/2025I think that also evokes the frantically-preparing feeling, just much less fun 😁 010
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 12/03/2025Does anyone else spend the night before a convention frantically assembling prototypes? 230
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 07/03/2025Ah *hunt*. Of course I make a spelling error in the announcement post 😅 000
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 07/03/2025The Cryptex Hint has officially launched! 120
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 05/03/2025Spending the day working on some escape room graphics and remembering why I’m not a graphic designer 😅 000
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 04/03/2025Only a few days left until Cryptex Hunt time! A warm up puzzle is currently available on the hunt site if you’re impatient 😄 010
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 02/03/2025Finished my first crochet cardigan! Still need to block it but love how it came out. Lessons were learned and I have a list of things to improve for next time. But I’ve already started on the next sweater! 070
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 26/02/2025Congratulations to all the @cardboardedison.com award finalists! Wanderlore didn’t make it through but the feedback will help me rework my pitch so that the gameplay is more clear in the future 020
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 23/02/2025Second row seats at the Lion King! So close I had to zoom out to get the picture 🦁 010
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 18/02/2025I hope that by making a rough sketch of where my strengths are, it will not only help me decide which projects to focus on but also give me a foundation for designing games outside my comfort zone. In the meantime, I would love to talk to publishers looking for the types of games above! 020
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 18/02/2025All of my games are very streamlined - you may have 1 or 2 things to do on your turn but the emergent gameplay and combos you can create are what makes the game fun. I haven’t yet managed a heavy game! Family to light/medium strategy is my wheelhouse. 130
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 18/02/2025I’ve been doing some thinking on my board game design style recently. I design a lot of co-ops, which are typically focused on teamwork - not difficult to win but a clever puzzle for players to work together to solve. 170
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 18/02/2025The last few days have been all Cryptex Hunt all the time as we gear up for the hunt start in a couple weeks. If you’ve ever been curious about puzzle hunts, this is a great one to be your first! Register a team at www.Cryptexhunt.com 021
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 18/02/2025Cant wait to see everyone at Breakout Con! 021
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 11/02/2025Shopping for used books as props in an escape room tomorrow. What books would a supervillain have on his shelves? 120
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 10/02/2025On the other hand, we played several games of Pokémon Splendor which is always fun! 010
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 10/02/2025Tried to play some new board games yesterday. You know you’re exhausted/burnt out when you open the box, take a look at all the components you have to punch out and just give up lol. I am definitely appreciating clean, streamlined design recently. 140
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 24/01/2025I used to do that, but connecting disjointed ideas and fleshing out concepts is so much easier in digital for me 000
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 24/01/2025I’ve tried and failed to adopt similar apps. Maybe it’s time to try again. For my sanity’s sake if nothing else! 110
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 24/01/2025And it was an idea I jotted down over 3 years ago. There has to be a better way! 020
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 24/01/2025How do you store your brainstorming notes for game ideas?? I need to get more organized. After checking all my folders and cloud files, I found the game in the notes on my phone 🙄 430
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 23/01/2025Conundrum is back on the market (again). If anyone knows of a publisher interested in a family-friendly, card only escape room game, please let me know! 130
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 22/01/2025Finished up a pitch video and submitted Wanderlore to the Cardboard Edison award. This game has so much potential and I can’t wait for more people to see it! 030
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 16/01/2025Excellent article! I’ve used many of these same tips in designing games for brands, educational purposes, films, etc. Very different world from hobby. 020
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 06/01/2025Spent 4+ hours today working on a puzzle for an upcoming puzzle hunt. Positive side: the mechanics are all worked out!! Negative: Now I have soooo much writing and graphic design to do to finish it 040
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 04/01/2025A very rough tornado! If you flip it upside down, it spins in the opposite direction 110
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 04/01/2025Best practice is to not invest too much time or money into your board game prototypes. But sometimes you’re in a crafty mood and generic tokens just won’t cut it 281
Shannon McDowell @shannonmcdowell.bsky.social · 04/12/2024It’s official! I will be building out my own mini escape room for (at least one) convention next year. Wish me luck! 1100
