🪐 Karmic Play

is an modern-day adaptation of the traditional practice of ganjifa which resulted in the design of a multiplayer trick-taking card 
game based on Indian astrology crafted with the intent of reviving folk art and narratives embedded within ancient Indian motifs.



PARTNER : National Insitute of Design, India
KEYWORDS : Design Research, Game Design, Illustration, Indian Crafts

CONFERENCE : Insight 2018 Design Research Symposium

FEATURED : Times of India





📝  Academic Inquiry into the Visual Analysis 
       and Semiotic Study of Indian Motifs



This project emerged as a result of academic research focusing on 
the expansive domain of 'Indian Art and Aesthetics', with a semiotic examination of ancient motifs serving as the core foundation.

Additional goals of the project include:
  • Investigating the history and genesis of Indian motifs within 
    the realm of traditional Indian crafts
  • Exploring the diverse interpretations and depictions of these 
    motifs across regions, practices, religious contexts, mythology, material usage, external influences, and evolution over time
  • Uncovering the roots of fading folk art and handicrafts, 
    shedding light on their origins and significance

✂️  Unpacking the historic prevelance of Ganjifa: 
       as Artifacts of Craft, Play & Narrative Value



First introduced during the Mughal rule in India, the elaborately ornamented Persian card game of Ganjifa, painstakingly handpainted to put together every set, gained prominence within the Indian milieu from the 16th century onwards. Its popularity burgeoned across the expanse from Northern to Southern regions of the subcontinent, assimilating and celebrating the local traditions, customs, and folklore of respective regions.

📕 Link to Research Paper
Revival of the Traditional Card Game of Ganjifa: A Design Approach


The paper delves into the inception of Ganjifa in India, its adaptations, alterations, 
and variants that ensued through its as a result of ‘hinduization’ and the significance 
of Ganjifa motifs within Indian mythology and various entrenched belief systems.





Designing a versatile system of gameplay which can capture the 
essence of tradtional Indian crafts and serve as a pedagogical 
touchpoint to relay the mythological and cultural narratives 
that are embedded within its visual elements


🃏 The Game Play



This strategic game, comprising a deck of 144 circular cards, is designed with the underlying aim of restoring cosmic equilibrium by unlocking 9 challenges that symbolise the nine planets or graha’s

The ‘Play of Fate’ is a special power that lies within the twelve-suited deck of cards with each suit representing the 12 zodiac signs or Rashi’s. Symbolically, the 9 graha’s are believed to control the mind & decision-making capabilities of an individual. Hence, the winner of each round triumphantly unlocks the next graha and strategically proceeds to meet the ultimate goal. 





🥽 Visual Experiments



The process of defining the visual language, colour palette and stylistic elements for the overall project and also each individual card was highly iterative, aiming to strike a fine balance between its authentic traditional roots and a lending contemporary aestheic for wider appeal to a modern audience.

The key design decisions were made based on multiple rounds of visual experiementation, prototyping and user testing. This included testing:
- Graphical Illustration Style (amalgamating classical and contemporary)
- Motif Representation (symbolism, posture of motifs, level of detail)
- Visual Elements (borders, decorative elements, stroke width, etc.)
- Layout Explorations (card dimensions, arrangement of motifs, size of elements)
- Colour Decisions (colour coding suits based on colour psychology, grey balance)
- Typographic Choices (based on readability and legibility)
- Choice of Tool (hand-drawn, digital illustration)
- Print Production (choice of paper and printer)

Other key steps and considerations included:
- Establishing the Rules of the Game, including player count & rounds
- Identifying engagement points across physical & digital mediums
- Crafting an adaptable system that can be applied across diverse themes
- Designing additional elements such as the play mat & instruction booklet

📱 Digital Touchpoints



The tangible experience of this card game was complemented by a digital application which served a more pedagogical and narrative purpose. The Karmic Play app gives users an opportunity to experience the stories and figures embedded within the card elements. It allows them access to a rich repository of data that elaborates on critical components such as the symbolism of motifs, colours and graphical elements that they see on the physical cards. It opens floodgates to historical facts and mythological narratives that inspired the theme and structure of the game.

This digital touchpoint was incorporated in order to garner more interest, participation and provoke more discussion around the subject. The digital experience includes a Horoscope feature, which probes them to visit the application daily in search for personal readings and how it connects to the overarching narratives. It also serves as a motivation for them to keep coming back and engaging with the physical game.