Vagabond: Connecting through Colloquialism
Anjali Raju
Like a vagabond, language travels across the globe and even through time. It can connect us in many ways but seclude those who don’t understand it. Reflecting on my childhood, growing up in different countries allowed me to bring a piece of my culture with me wherever I went. It also allowed me to bond more with other cultures by understanding the variety of colloquial expressions used in conversations.
Vagabond is a card game exploring the cross-cultural connections one can make through language, specifically slang. A guessing game, it aims to educate players on the vast nature of slang and showcase how learning slang from different communities can help facilitate a better understanding of those cultures by sparking fun yet insightful discussions.
To explore different types of vernacular, I created three game sets: linguistic (slang from different languages), generational (slang from various time periods), and environmental (slang from internet culture). Other materials—such as an instructional guide and a digital iteration of the game—round out the Vagabond universe and help illustrate the possibilities the game has to offer to its players. Its humorous essence is portrayed through vibrant colors and bold typography, which extends consistently across the sets. These are also complemented by elements like the punctuated motifs, which further enhance the playful aesthetic of the game.
Vagabond is to be played by anyone and everyone at any time or place. So grab a friend, fetch a deck, and learn some slang!