How to Design Unique Items?

  • What makes an Item Unique?
  • If an Item is enough to Characterize an Environment, a Culture, a Function or an Individual you may consider it Unique.

Summary – How to Create Unique Items?

  1. Define its Origins.
  2. Define its Function.
  3. Define its Effects.
  4. Define who can become its User.
  5. If the Item is intended to be a Symbol, define who responds to it.
  6. If the Item is intended to be a Weapon, define how it can be used in combat.
  • The more Information you can give on this Item, the more unique it can become.
  • It can…
  • All Information given should Support the Uniqueness of the Item.
  • Give it an Identity.
  • Make the Item a Character.



Origins

  • Creator
  • Who Created the Item?
  • The Creator is the 1st point you should develop.
  • The Origins, the Goal & the Identity of the Creator will influence the Item.
  • Which Material did the Creator choose?
  • Which Value has it for her?
  • How did she choose to Design it?
  • How simple is the Design?
  • How clear is it?
  • Can it be Drawn using only simple shapes?
  • Is it particularly Ergonomic?
  • Is it Portable?
  • How are the Creator’s Origins tied to the Item?
  • The Crafter may want to use the Item.
  • It may be used to create other Items of the same kind.
  • The Crafter may want to make copies.
  • She may want to keep the Item.
  • Which Crafting techniques does she use to create this item?
  • Which instruments does she use?
  • How does she feel after the Item’s Creation?
    • Satisfaction
    • Relief
    • Fear
    • Anger
    • Frustration
    • Sadness
    • Excitement
  • Original Purpose & Want
  • The Creator’s Intentions may differ from how the Item will be used.
  • Who will use the Item?
  • Was it build for her own use?
  • Was it Ordered?
  • If the Item was ordered, who Ordered it?
  • The Efficiency will define how many people will be interested by it.
  • If the Item is particularly efficient it may interest Individual which are not necessarily professionals.
  • If it can be used easy, many people will want it.
  • Examples of Purposes
  • Development of an Individual.
  • Betterment of a Species.
  • Revenge & Retribution.
  • Remembrance & Transmitting a Message.
  • Read & Write a Code.
  • Resurrection & Regeneration.
  • Return to the Original User.
  • Place of Creation
  • Where was the Item Created?
  • What makes this Location peculiar?
  • Which Material does this Location shelter?
  • Are these Material used in the Item’s creation?
  • If no, which Material were preferred?
  • And Why?
  • Does this Location present some Issue?
  • What kind of Issues?
  • Why are they Issues?
  • Could these Issues beneficial to the Creation of the Item?
  • This is particularly pertinent if the Item is a Weapon.
  • The Place of Creation may command the Value of the Item.
  • Certain Environments, by their renown, will influence the Value of the Item.
  • How does the Item Design reflects its place of Creation?
  • How does it transcribe its Origins?
  • Always treat your Item as a Character.

If you want to know more about Origins.



Function & Effects

  • Function & Use
  • Is the Item easy to use?
  • The Use of the item may be Obvious.
  • In the case of an Unknown, Rare, or difficult to Identify Item an explanation will be necessary.
  • The Item may come with a Protocol.
  • Its Process may be explained by a character.
    • Maybe the Seller.
    • Maybe the Crafter.
  • If could come with a Schema.
  • The more obvious the Rules of Use are, the better.
  • How to use it?
  • What are its Primary Use?
  • What are its 2ndary Uses?
  • How should it be upkept?
  • Effects
  • What are the Items effect?
  • A simple Description of the Items appearance will hint on its effects.
  • You can also describe the effects themselves.
  • The Sensation when Held.
  • The effects on the Holder.
  • The effects on the Bearer.
  • The effects on her Opponents, if the Item is a weapon.
  • The Benefits the item provides her.
  • The potential Hindrances.
  • If using the Item has a high Energy Cost the User should look tired.
  • The same applies for any Other Effect.
  • Perception
  • How is the Item perceived?
    • By its owner?
    • By the people around the owner?
    • By the general Population?
  • The item comes with a certain Fame.
  • It adds to its uniqueness.
  • It may have Tales.
  • It may be described in Legends.
  • It may be come with Rumors.
  • Words & Symbolism change the value of an Item.
  • And add to its uniqueness.
  • Envision this Item as an Unknown Creature.

If you want to know more about Specific Skills & Effects.

User & Individuality

  • The Potential Users
  • Who can use the Item?
  • Who is unable to use the Item?
  • Who is forbid to use the Item?
  • What are the Restrictions related to the Item?
  • How do they relate to its Origins?
  • How do they relate to the User?
  • If a certain type of Individual incapable to use the Item you’ll need to explain it.
  • You don’t have to make the explanation obvious.
  • For every restriction you’ll need a reason.
  • These limitations add to the Item’s specificity.
  • Same goes for a group.
    • Any group type may be forbid or incapable to use a due Item.
    • It may be Species-based.
    • It may be Class-based.
  • The Item may require specific Skills to be use.
    • Which skills?
  • You could also make a Distinction between Owner & User.
  • Which would explain why the Owner allows someone else to use her Item.
  • The Bond
  • Who uses the Item the most?
  • What makes her unique?
    • Develop the Character’s Quirks.
    • Is the Item 1 of her Quirks?
  • How does she use the Item?
  • Depicting a Relationship between the Item & the User is the most Sustainable way to Personify an Item.
  • The User may be using the Items daily.
  • And frequently every day.
  • She can use it rarely and, even so, keep it on her at all times.
  • The Attachment between the Item & the User may be taxing for her.
  • Display the hindrance the Item represent for the User.
  • Show how it affects her Behavior.
  • It may be a discreet display.
  • It may be more Iconic.
  • The User may suffered from a Possession.
  • As the Item itself may bear a Curse.
  • What kind of Influence does the Item have on her User?
  • Can the user get rid of the item?
  • How?
  • Individuality & Image
  • How is the Item remarkable?
  • Can it be obtained Randomly?
  • Is it Hidden?
  • How Rare is it?
  • How is its Uniqueness displayed?
  • Can it be shared?
  • Can it be used by multiple individuals?
  • Can it be used by multiple members of a Team?
  • How can it be Shared?
  • What makes it transferable?
  • When can it be Exchanged?
  • Where can it be Exchanged?
  • How can it be Exchanged?

If you want to know more about Individuality.



Evolution

  • Location
  • Where will the Item travel?
  • Who will it travel with?
  • Will it be stored?
  • Will it be hidden?
  • Has the Item been Lost?
  • Where can it be Found?
  • How can it be Found?
  • Who is looking for it?
  • Why are they looking for it?
  • Evolution of the Use
  • How should the Item be used?
  • Can it still be used in its original way?
  • How is the new Use different?
  • Which new Purpose can it serve?
  • The New Owner of an item may change her function.
  • As well as the New User.
  • If there are No more living Users for the Item…
  • Does the Item disappear?
  • Does it change?
  • Influence on the World
  • How does the World react to this Item?
  • Is it indifferent?
  • Then, why does the item exist?
  • Is the Item famous enough to be sough after?
  • How Commonly can it be found?
  • How does it affect its Value?
  • How does it affect the Want over it?
  • Is it still Unique over time?
  • Can someone engineer the Creation of new items of the same type?
  • Or with a similar function?
  • Can their be Counterfeit?
  • How does it affect Trade?
  • Can the Provenance of the Item be proven?
  • Are there certificates?
  • Are there other legitimacy proof?
  • Can this Item be traded?
  • Can it be traded Legally?
  • Has it been submitted to Conservation?
  • Is it exhibit in a Museum?

If you want to know more about Evolution.


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