Kende

Available to hire

I’m a game designer from Nigeria, specializing in board games, card games, and tabletop games.

About

I’m a game designer from Nigeria, specializing in board games, card games, and tabletop games. I help clients turn rough concepts, unfinished prototypes, and existing games into structured, engaging, and playable experiences.

My core skills include game mechanics, card abilities, game balancing, player flow, progression systems, tabletop systems, prototyping, and gameplay refinement. What differentiates me is my ability to look at a game as a complete system—not just individual mechanics—and identify what needs to be rewired, simplified, balanced, or developed to create a stronger player experience.

I have experience working on strategy games, card games, tabletop games, and concept development, collaborating with clients to develop their ideas from early concepts through mechanical design and playtesting-ready frameworks.

Employment & Project Experience

Freelance Game Designer — Fiverr
Current

Specializing in board game, card game, and tabletop game design, including mechanics development, balancing, game systems, card effects, progression, and gameplay refinement.

Game Designer — League of Maritime Adventurers
Nautical Tabletop/Card Game

Developed and refined core gameplay mechanics, card interactions, player flow, progression, and overall game structure based on the client’s original concept.

Game Designer — Good vs Evil
Strategy Board/Card Game

Worked on core mechanics, character and card systems, modifiers, active/reserve systems, movement and range considerations, engagement pacing, and mechanical refinement.

Game Designer — Reef Riot
Strategic Card Game

Developed and refined the game’s mechanical framework, card effects, player interaction, scoring, turn structure, and overall gameplay balance.

Languages

  • EnglishFluent
  • Spanish; CastilianAdvanced
  • FrenchAdvanced

Industry experience

  • Gaming
  • Media & Entertainment

Projects · 4

League of Maritime Adventurers is a nautical tabletop game concept developed from an original client idea, combining exploration, strategy, player interaction, and adventure-themed mechanics. I worked on the game’s core mechanics, player flow, card interactions, progression systems, and overall gameplay structure, helping transform the initial concept into a clearer and more playable framework. The project involved iterative design development, mechanical refinement, and restructuring ideas to improve clarity, engagement, and replayability. My contribution: Game Design, Tabletop Game Mechanics, Card Game Design, Gameplay Development & System Refinement. GameDesign TabletopGame CardGame BoardGame GameMechanics GameDevelopment TCG PlayTesting Rulebook GameBalancing PartyGames

  • Game Designer
  • Game Developer
  • Game Tester
  • +1

League of Maritime Adventurers is a nautical tabletop game concept developed from an original client idea, combining exploration, strategy, player interaction, and adventure-themed mechanics. I worked on the game’s core mechanics, player flow, card interactions, progression systems, and overall gameplay structure, helping transform the initial concept into a clearer and more playable framework. The project involved iterative design development, mechanical refinement, and restructuring ideas to improve clarity, engagement, and replayability. My contribution: Game Design, Tabletop Game Mechanics, Card Game Design, Gameplay Development & System Refinement. GameDesign TabletopGame CardGame BoardGame GameMechanics GameDevelopment GraphicDesigner GameArt BoardGameDesign Playtesting TCG TarotCards PokerGame PokerCards

  • Game Designer
  • Game Developer
  • Game Tester
  • +1

Good vs Evil is a strategic tabletop card-and-board game concept built around opposing forces, character abilities, tactical positioning, and player-driven combat decisions.

I worked on the game’s core mechanics and system structure, refining character cards, modifiers, movement and range considerations, reserve/active unit systems, and overall engagement pacing.

The project focused on turning a broad concept into a more structured and playable game system while keeping the experience strategically engaging and aligned with a targeted playtime.

My contribution: Game Design, Tabletop Game Mechanics, Card Game Design, Gameplay Systems, Balancing & Mechanical Refinement.

#GameDesign #TabletopGame #BoardGame #CardGame #GameMechanics #GameDevelopment

  • Character Designer
  • Concept Artist
  • Game Designer
  • +4

League of Maritime Adventurers is a nautical tabletop game concept developed from an original client idea, combining exploration, strategy, player interaction, and adventure-themed mechanics.

I worked on the game’s core mechanics, player flow, card interactions, progression systems, and overall gameplay structure, helping transform the initial concept into a clearer and more playable framework.

The project involved iterative design development, mechanical refinement, and restructuring ideas to improve clarity, engagement, and replayability.

My contribution: Game Design, Tabletop Game Mechanics, Card Game Design, Gameplay Development & System Refinement.

#GameDesign #TabletopGame #CardGame #BoardGame #GameMechanics #GameDevelopment

  • Character Designer
  • Concept Artist
  • Game Composer
  • +5

Work experience

Tabletop Games Designer · UPWORKJul 2024 – Present · 2 yrs 5 mos

I'm Kende, a passionate tabletop game designer dedicated to helping creators transform ideas into engaging and market-ready gaming experiences. Whether you are developing a Board Game, Trading Card Game, Collectible Card Game (CCG), Tabletop Game, Party Game, or Kickstarter project, I can help bring your vision to life through thoughtful design, creative problem-solving. I understand the challenges game creators face---balancing mechanics, creating engaging gameplay, organizing components, designing cards, and presenting a project professionally enough to attract players, publishers and backers. I can help bring your concept to life. As a card game designer, I create custom gameplay systems, card mechanics, and game structures tailored to your vision. Whether you're starting with a simple idea or an existing prototype, I'll help transform it into a polished game ready for testing, pitching, crowdfunding, or production. My services Include: card game design Gameplay mechanics development Card abilities and effect creation Deck-building and progression systems Balance and gameplay optimization Turn structure and player flow design Rulebook/game documentation Playtest-ready game frameworks Ideal For: Strategy card games Party and social games Educational and learning games Trading/collectible card game concepts Indie game projects Prototype development Kickstarter and crowdfunding campaigns Feel free to contact me.

Board and Card Game Design · FiverrJun 2024 – Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

I'm Kende, a passionate tabletop game designer dedicated to helping creators transform ideas into engaging and market-ready gaming experiences. Whether you are developing a Board Game, Trading Card Game, Collectible Card Game (CCG), Tabletop Game, Party Game, or Kickstarter project, I can help bring your vision to life through thoughtful design, creative problem-solving. I understand the challenges game creators face---balancing mechanics, creating engaging gameplay, organizing components, designing cards, and presenting a project professionally enough to attract players, publishers and backers. I can help bring your concept to life. As a card game designer, I create custom gameplay systems, card mechanics, and game structures tailored to your vision. Whether you're starting with a simple idea or an existing prototype, I'll help transform it into a polished game ready for testing, pitching, crowdfunding, or production. My services Include: card game design Gameplay mechanics development Card abilities and effect creation Deck-building and progression systems Balance and gameplay optimization Turn structure and player flow design Rulebook/game documentation Playtest-ready game frameworks Ideal For: Strategy card games Party and social games Educational and learning games Trading/collectible card game concepts Indie game projects Prototype development Kickstarter and crowdfunding campaigns Feel free to contact me.

Education

Bachelor of Arts · Norwich University of the Arts2021 – 2025

My time at Norwich University of the Arts was an important part of my academic and professional development. Studying in a creative-focused university environment allowed me to develop both my practical abilities and my approach to creative problem-solving. Throughout my studies, I was encouraged to explore ideas, experiment with different approaches, and develop work that combined creativity with purpose. The experience strengthened my ability to research, communicate concepts, respond to feedback, manage projects, and work independently. Beyond the academic knowledge I gained, my time at Norwich University of the Arts helped me develop greater confidence in my creative practice and prepared me to approach professional projects with a more thoughtful, structured, and innovative mindset. Key outcomes: Developed stronger creative and problem-solving skills Gained experience researching, developing, and presenting projects Improved independent working and project-management abilities Learned to respond constructively to feedback and refine ideas Built a stronger foundation for professional creative practice

Adobe Rising Talent · Adobe2025

Over the course of a year of dedicated study and practice in Adobe Illustrator, I developed a strong foundation in vector-based design and digital illustration. My learning journey involved exploring Illustrator’s tools, techniques, and workflows to create clean, professional, and visually engaging designs. Through consistent practice and project-based learning, I strengthened my skills in illustration, typography, layout, shape construction, colour application, and visual composition. This experience also improved my attention to detail, creativity, and ability to translate ideas into polished visual outcomes. Earning the Rising Talent badge was a meaningful recognition of my progress, consistency, and developing proficiency in Adobe Illustrator. It reflects my commitment to continuous learning and my growing confidence as a creative professional. Key skills I developed: Adobe Illustrator & vector graphics Digital illustration Typography and layout Colour and visual composition Creative problem-solving Attention to detail Concept development and execution

Certifications and awards

Adobe Rising Talent2025

Over the course of a year of dedicated study and practice in Adobe Illustrator, I developed a strong foundation in vector-based design and digital illustration. My learning journey involved exploring Illustrator’s tools, techniques, and workflows to create clean, professional, and visually engaging designs. Through consistent practice and project-based learning, I strengthened my skills in illustration, typography, layout, shape construction, colour application, and visual composition. This experience also improved my attention to detail, creativity, and ability to translate ideas into polished visual outcomes. Earning the Rising Talent badge was a meaningful recognition of my progress, consistency, and developing proficiency in Adobe Illustrator. It reflects my commitment to continuous learning and my growing confidence as a creative professional. Key skills developed: Adobe Illustrator & vector graphics Digital illustration Typography and layout Colour and visual composition Creative problem-solving Attention to detail Concept development and execution

FIVERR LEVEL 1 Seller2026 – 2027

Fiverr Level 1 freelancer specializing in board game, tabletop, and card game design. I focus on turning rough ideas into solid, playable game systems—from mechanics and balancing to progression, card effects, and overall game flow to card and board game design. I’m pretty hands-on with my projects, and I like digging into a concept, testing what works, fixing what doesn’t, and helping clients turn their ideas into something they can actually play and develop further.

Testimonials · 5.0 from 3 reviews

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