The document discusses Ben Calvert-Lee's work developing miniatures for tabletop games. It begins with an introduction to Ben's background and current role as a freelance lead sculptor. It then outlines the typical development pipeline for miniatures, from initial concepts and artwork to production. The document also discusses different miniature production methods. A case study details Ben's process for developing the Tengu faction for a game, including exploring species archetypes and incorporating unexpected developments into the designs.

1. Miniatures Design
for Tabletop Games
Ben Calvert-Lee BSc MSc

2. Introduction
Bushido’s Development Pipeline
Miniature Production
Case Study: Developing the Tengu faction
archetypes, the benefit of digital sculpting
Q&A
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3. Introduction
What do I do, & how did I get here?
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Freelance as lead sculptor for GCT Studios
• Manage other sculptors
• Assign sculpts
• Provide feedback
• Technical checks
• Sculptor
• General Design, including packaging
Master Crafted Miniatures
• Everything except casting & order fulfilment.

4. Introduction
What do I do, & how did I get here?
• 2001-5 Computer Animation BSc
• 2005-7 Games Workshop retail
• 2007-8 Computer Games Technology MSc
• 2008-13 retail work 🙁
• 2010-13 part time sculptor
• 2013 full time sculptor 🥳
Worked with GCT, Mantic, Steamforged, Palladium, and more.
Now only GCT, with rare exceptions (e.g. GBCP).
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5. Development Pipeline
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Aesthetic Lore Mechanics
concept discussion
sketches identity, place in world constraints, faction role
final artwork alpha rules
sculpting beta rules & playtest
technical checks short text for marketing card layout, proofing
master printing production
production
The reality is not this linear! At each step, each aspect can affect the other.
Often creatively good but logistically bad!

6. Miniature Production
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Resin Metal PVC HIPS 3DP
low investment → → v. high investment low investment
low volume mid high v. high volume low-mid volume
forgiving → → v. unforgiving forgiving
agile
Sculpting: digital or putty?
Manufacturing methods

7. Case Study
Developing the Tengu faction

8. Species Archetypes
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Owl Crow Sparrow Hawk Eagle

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Owl Crow Sparrow Hawk Eagle

12. Species Archetypes: Wings
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16. Archetypes:
Useful but not a rigid constraint!
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20. Unexpected developments
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22. Thank you
Ben Calvert-Lee
bencalvertlee@gmail.com
www.gctstudios.com
www.mastercrafted.co.uk