With the jet ready, it was time to perfect everything that went with it—the radar, the instruction manual, and the box that would hold it all together, along with other elements.

We began with a moodboard inspired by Pakistan and the JF-17 Thunder, picking out visual cues that connected to the theme. From there we explored multiple versions of the box design, experimenting with different illustrations and art styles, textured and gradient backgrounds in multiple colors, and varying levels of contrast between the product illustrations, logo, and supporting elements. This process finally led us to the first proper box design—front and back—in physical form. (Fun fact: we made the first box by hand in the studio!)

Next came the radar design, which initially had two variations: a single target and three targets. We felt that just having targets didn’t fully capture the feel of the game, so we incorporated jet silhouettes of different models to bring the board to life. Eventually, we finalized the number of targets at two, to match the two jets that would be included in the box.

Then there were the instructions. From the very beginning, we knew we wanted them to be map-like, because it fit so well with the theme. The background was inspired by the world map, with steps illustrated as an organic journey from start to finish. Over time we realized that a simpler, linear flow worked better in practice. We also found that yellow and green worked best as accent colors, tying back neatly to the box design and the overall theme.

This stage marked a milestone: for the first time, we weren’t just looking at concepts—we had a version of the box in our hands.

Keep following to see how these early iterations eventually evolved into the final box design!