Illustrator of the BGF 2013 Poster
A passionate amateur graphic designer, Patrick Beukeleirs studied for several years in the artistic section at I.A.T.A. in Namur, before quickly entering the workforce – outside the art world. Drawing remained a hobby, which he explored through various styles: paintings for children’s rooms, watercolours, miniature painting, and cards for his board game prototypes. Years later, he returned to I.A.T.A. in evening classes for two years in graphic and 3D art, honing his skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, and 3D Max.
How did you approach creating this poster?
It was the very first edition of the BGF, with only seven or eight organisers and no starting budget. I was the only one with some graphic design knowledge, so I volunteered to create the poster, supported by then-president Tanju Goban.
Meetings followed one after another, and every element – theme, colours, typography – became a small debate. Eventually, after many back-and-forths, we reached a consensus. I wanted to highlight Brussels and a giant Meeple: for me, it symbolised both board games and the idea of establishing them in the city, inviting everyone to discover this world. The warm colours were meant to catch the eye and convey energy – they even inspired the volunteer dress code: red for coordinators, yellow for volunteers.
What does this poster represent for you?
The realisation of a shared dream with a team of enthusiasts: making games loved by as many people as possible, at a time when they weren’t yet “mainstream.” This poster is a blend of passion, dream, and invitation. Passion, because we gave everything for this first festival; dream, because 24 hours of non-stop games was quite a crazy challenge; invitation, because the Meeple calls everyone to come together and enjoy.
If you had to describe your poster in three words, which would you choose – and why?
Passion, Dream, Invitation.
They perfectly sum up the spirit of this first edition: a shared passion for games, a collective dream of creating a major festival, and an open invitation to all of Brussels.
What memory do you keep from creating this illustration for the BGF?
A memory that is both challenging and rewarding. Challenging, because teamwork on a visual design requires many compromises; rewarding, because I left my mark on a festival I see as a little like my own child.
Is there a detail or Easter egg in your poster that few people notice?
In the background, you can spot gears. They symbolise logic and thinking: games are not just about dice or cards, but also about strategy, concentration… and sometimes a bit of head-scratching.
