The Signature Collection is Maztermind’s first collection, carrying the brand’s original design language - a balance between Victorian decorative elegance and the raw qualities of industrial interiors. Although introduced early in 2018, the collection was only fully realized five years later. It reflects an extended process of experimentation with materials and form, shaped through numerous iterations before reaching a balance between aesthetics and function.
The collection was first launched in April 2023, focusing on its visual narrative - the harmony between Victorian and industrial influences. It was later re-launched in December with additional products, including the Premium Tournament Chess Set and Luxury Mahjong Set, under the concept “Sophistication in Simplicity,” reinforcing Maztermind’s position as an artisan board game maker.
This project marks my first role as art director for a concept photoshoot at Maztermind. It became a shift in my practice - moving beyond design into working with light, space, and composition as primary tools.
Research into Victorian art led me to focus on oil paintings from the period - their quiet realism, soft light, and often introspective atmosphere. I approached the products as still-life subjects, aiming to present them as if they belonged within that visual language. This direction helped guide the team toward a more unified interpretation.
Left: Painting Accolade by Edmund Blair Leighton, 1901. Right:
Still life photography Вино, лимоны и виноград
© Диана Амелина
The visual setup was defined through a few key elements such as soft, directional lighting from one side; warm, dark tones; textured backgrounds referencing painted surfaces. The intention was not to replicate the period, but to translate its mood into a contemporary context.
My final sketches for shooting
For the second launch, the focus shifted toward reinforcing the idea of craftsmanship.
The shoot was set within the brand’s workshop, grounding the visuals in the actual production environment. This introduced new constraints - both spatial and environmental - especially when working with a full collection in a single frame.
An initial approach considered using 3D to construct the scene more flexibly, but the decision was made to work within the real space to retain authenticity. I developed a custom shelving structure based on the dimensions of the products, later refined and produced with support from the product design team.
Alongside the main setup, we also captured additional compositions within the workshop, including scenes featuring artisans at work. These moments helped extend the narrative beyond the products, into the process behind them.
The workshop and craftsmen
