Hey Puzzle Bomb fam!
Today, I thought it would be fun to cover how and why I go about designing puzzles the way I do. Not focusing on an individual puzzle as I do in designer diaries, but more of the broad scope of how I decide what to design. Let's go!
A Lesson in Broad Acceptance vs. Dedicated Fans
As the advertising manager over at BoardGameGeek for nearly 20 years, I've met with well over a thousand board game publishers over the years. One conversation I'll always remember was with a new publisher I met at a convention, as they were excitedly showing me their debut title.
They explained that when deciding what to publish, they had narrowed down to two final candidates. One game had gotten a love it or hate it response from playtesters. Those who enjoyed it absolutely raved about it, and were excited to play again and again. But, those who didn't enjoy it never wanted a repeat experience. Basically, if folks were to rate the game out of 10, it would get 9's and 10's from one group, and 2's and 3's from the other.
The other game got a "this is pretty good" response from nearly everyone, and would have been rated a 6 or 7 across the board. It felt similar to many other games on the market, and was easily relatable, but somewhat unremarkable.
My heart sank for them when they said the game sitting in front of me was the unanimously "pretty good" game; the game that everyone liked, but no one was really passionate about. I knew this choice was going to cost them dearly, and likely mean their fledgling company wouldn't survive. Past that meeting, I never heard mention of the game or company again. My gut instinct was right; the company didn't last long, and I'd wager a good portion of that debut game title sadly ended up in a landfill. All based on one decision driven by fear of rejection.
While some of my initial ideas for Puzzle Bomb were more familiar to puzzlers, I set them aside and bet the house on Bumfuzzled. As I suspected, the Bumfuzzled series has fallen squarely in the "love it or hate it" category. On the "hate it" end, it's often because it stretches folks' perception of what a wooden jigsaw puzzle is, and what form factor a puzzle "should" take on. Some folks simply think they look "too hard", or don't know how to approach the puzzles, as they're unfamiliar territory. I've even gotten feedback from incredibly angry new customers that what they received is not a jigsaw puzzle, along with a whole list of reasons why they hate it, and that I'm running a scam.
This is a natural reaction to expect when you deviate from the beaten path, and it's absolutely OK it's not some folks' cup of tea! Even if they decide to anoint your head with that cup of tea! :D
However, this divisiveness is by design when you create something that stands out from the field, as the folks who love it tend to really, really love it! They appreciate the different challenge and the quirkiness of the product line. They're looking for something adventurous and unique rather than more of the same established puzzle path. They recognize that it presents a new kind of challenge, and that there's very little else like it on the market. They buzz about the puzzles rather than it being another one-and-done "OK" experience.
I'll take this relatively smaller, excited, dedicated fan base over a crowd of muted acceptance any day, and I thank y'all for joining me on this journey!
A Lesson in Marketability vs. Simple Joy
I don't remember where I came across it, or even why I even watched it, as I don't really enjoy movies, but I was watching an interview with a successful movie producer. They were asking how he goes about choosing movie ideas, assuming he did market research, looked at trends, etc.
His response was, "Absolutely not". Rather, he simply made movies that he would personally want to watch. If the market liked what he created, great. If not, he was still personally satisfied that he had made something he was proud of. It was such a refreshing take!
I follow this same mindset, and it has a bunch of key benefits:
1) I'm actually engaged and excited about my work. If I was merely trying to replicate what "works", it caps my creativity, and could feel like a grind trying to replicate previous success. My work represents me, my own peculiarities, and what brings me joy, rather than my attempt to be someone else.
2) It fuels innovation. Trying to replicate previous success means you're likely to churn out minor variations of the same things. However, I have liberty to take risks with each puzzle I create, presenting unpredictable new techniques and challenges. On a personal level, I'd be bored doing the same thing over and over, and you'd probably be bored with my work by now as well.
3) My identity doesn't lie in the acceptance or rejection of my designs. Many creators suffer burnout or even depression when their identity as a creator is tied to the acceptance of their work. I can always be satisfied that I made something I like, and that I did my best to make something beautiful, unique, and engaging. The Lord gave me giftings and abilities that are unique to me, just as He's given you giftings and abilities that are unique to you. Not everyone is going to understand or match up with your vision every time, and that's OK!
4) The pressure to make a certain something is completely removed. Creative ideas hit in all sorts of ways, and in all sorts of timing. If it stretches the box, or is a bit weird, so be it! While there's a general form factor and design style that gives the Bumfuzzled line a cohesive, recognizable identity, there's so much freedom and possibility within that form factor!
More to Come!
Narrowing the focus, I was going to write a bit more about design approaches I use, but I've already written a lot, so let's leave it for Part 2.
I hope this wasn't merely an interesting tidbit about my own approach, but that it's useful to all you fellow creative folks as you navigate your own journey of creating things for the world to enjoy!
Blessings,
Chad aka Puzzle Bomb Puzzle Designer Guy
The Puzzles I Choose to Make (And Why): Part 1
5 comments
I can’t imagine someone complaining that they didn’t get a regular jigsaw puzzle from you. Did they not look at the photos or read the description of what they were buying? Keep doing what you’re doing!
Hi Joy:
I start by looking at the assembled puzzle and looking for the “trick”. Some have color blocks, others only have different colors touch each other, most have a mixture of the two. There’s one I can think of that has 2 shades of each color (dark, light) and plain pieces – here the plain pieces never touch the dark colors. Some have different shapes in different areas as well. I usually sort them by color to start, then/or shape type if appropriate (bubbles, flames, swirls, whatever you want to call them in your own mind will work). Once you have a feel for the “trick”, you’ll have an idea of where to start.
The shapes are not what you are used to, so try to see something in them and mentally describe it (clover, hammer, bird head, whatever works for you). I also get a bit distracted sometimes so will keep my finger on the end/hole I’m looking for while I’m looking.
Do the puzzle the first time using the frame for guidance. This is NOT cheating! Next time, try it without. I’ve done each of these puzzles many times over, and choose a different strategy each time. They don’t get old and hold up really well.
Hope this helps!
Hi Joy!
If you find them a bit intimidating, I recommend doing them inside of the frame, which helps you know where the edges are, and often gives you some identifiable starting points.
The current packaging is actually more compact, volume-wise, than if I shipped the pieces loose in a box like pretty much every other puzzle brand. It also allows me to include the outer frame, which provides the opportunity for the adjustable difficulty mentioned above. And yes, with how intricately I often design, it also ensures the puzzle is indestructible during packaging and transit, and prevents any wear to the piece edges.
I do find the puzzles a bit scary. But I love the designs. So, is there a way to approach doing the puzzle that helps it not be too tough? Looking at the bits in the above pictures I can see that I would maybe be discouraged at first. But I want to do it! So I need a clue. I do regular puzzles by doing the edge first and then working with the easiest bits and also working in from the outside edge so it holds together. I like pictures I like. If it’s a blah picture, I’m not very engaged in it but will still do it. And we save our puzzles and do them over again. I have a few of your puzzles now and will start with what I perceive as easiest. Yet not easy. And I have a marketing question. Your puzzles are very flat and compact. I would think you could use a box that contained them in a smaller space than those you use. Or would they get damaged? Almost a padded envelope but not sure it’s protective enough. I’m sure you’ve done your research on this, just wondering.
This sounds familiar. When I first became a writer, I was obsessed with writing a novel and living the life as a bestselling author.