Flamingo Slims
This project was based on the D&D campaign Stardust Rhapsody: Anthem
In the past year I have fallen in love with space related media. From Project: Hail Mary’s film debut to the Artimis 2 mission. My favorite piece of media in this genre is Stardust Rhapsody: Anthem. This is a Dungeons and Dragons campaign but flavored in a sci-fi universe. I wanted to create something based off of the campaign and share it with the fandom. One of the characters is a smoker, so I decided to bring his cigarettes to life.
Initial Research
The design prompt was based on a post one of the party members made. He stated that the box was pitch black, a synthwave font for the name, and a flamingo illustration reminiscent of a neon light sign. I started researching synthwave aesthetics. I was mainly drawn to Sunset Neon and The Midnight as inspirations. I also referenced the campaign and design of Pyke, who uses the cigarettes in the game.
Sketches
After my research, I sketched out a few ideas for the flamingo imagery. I wanted to have the flamingo in a sunset because Pyke is a solari, an elf that has heavy connections to the sun and phoenixes. I kept in mind that it needed to be a simplistic design, since it needed to look like a classic neon sign.
Process
During my process, I heavily referenced the color scheme of Pyke. His hair became the base for how the colors on the flamingo design were laid out. I also referenced the logo for Stardust Rhapsody: Anthem to create the Flamingo Slims logo
Cigarette boxes include many warning labels to tell the user about the dangers of using the product. Since this box doesn’t have actual cigarettes on it, I put on the warning label that it was a prop and not real cigarettes. I also used it to include easter eggs to Stardust Rhapsody: Anthem and Cowboy Bebop, one of the inspirations for the campaign.
Since I wanted this project to be available for the fandom to use, I had to make sure it was able to be constructed. I printed out the design to make a mockup. Since my measurements were accurate, the construction process was very simple.
Overview
This was a very fun project to work on, and fans of the campaign loved the final design. Many fans said they plan on using it for cosplays. Some used it as a piece of decor, showing off their love for the character. Some have even incorporated it in their own fan art of Pyke. One person even recreated the box in their copy of Tomodachi Life.
This project showcases how important passion is for creating. Understanding the target audience is crucial to a successful project. If you enjoy something your target audience enjoys, then the final result will be a success. It may seem like a simple box to most people, but the fans will see it as everything.
Completed: September 2025
Art Director: Megan Huster