The Inner Circle

Inner Circle is my first serious board game, and one I individually designed and developed to explore how gameplay can support mental health management. Created as part of my academic work, the game empowers players to learn and reflect on real-world emotional challenges using interactive, collaborative play.

Built on a circular board symbolizing the ongoing journey of emotional well-being, players navigate Event Cards representing real-life scenarios — from burnout and social anxiety to boundary-setting and grief. They earn Balance Points by applying Tool Cards based on evidence-backed coping strategies like mindfulness, CBT, and grounding techniques.

What sets Inner Circle apart is its collaborative mechanics. Players can offer their Balance Points to others in need, sparking empathy, emotional support, and discussion — mirroring how mental health is never managed in isolation.

🧠 What I Learned

Designing Inner Circle taught me how games can create safe spaces for vulnerable conversations. I learned to blend sensitivity with systems thinking — translating emotional complexity into approachable, engaging mechanics. Most importantly, I discovered how to design for both impact and interaction — and that even a solo project can create collective change.