Date

12-4-2025

Department

School of Communication and the Arts

Degree

Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (MFA)

Chair

Rebekah Cochell

Keywords

maladaptive perfectionism, creative perfectionism, perfectionism intervention, anti-perfectionism strategies, combating perfectionism, cognitive reframing tools, resilience for creatives, creative mindset tools, creative wellness, creator mental health support, therapeutic card game, mental health card game, gamified mental health tools, creativity card game, self-help card deck, reflective card prompts, gamification for wellbeing, design psychology card game, mindfulness card deck, creative resilience, overcoming creative blocks, creative risk-taking, creative confidence, innovation mindset, creative problem solving, design thinking tools, creative process improvement, psychology of creativity, perfectionism psychology, cognitive behavioral design, positive psychology tools, designer mental health, creative burnout prevention, self-regulation strategies for artists, design-based research, interactive intervention design, creative behavioral intervention, user-centered design for mental health, psychological resilience toolkit, creative education research, arts education mental health, how to stop perfectionism, how to overcome creative perfectionism, tools for perfectionist artists, ways to reduce perfectionism, best resources for creative burnout, how to take creative risks, card game to overcome perfectionism, tools to help artists fight perfectionism, gamified toolkit for creative resilience, design psychology strategies for artists, interactive game for creative confidence, mental health resources for designers and artists

Disciplines

Art and Design

Abstract

This thesis examines the potential use of a tabletop game as an approach for creatives to address their maladaptive perfectionism. Through my research, perfectionism has been identified as a pervasive barrier to creative flow, emotional well-being, and artistic growth. Motivated by my observations of increasing mental health challenges among my students, I explore how adaptive, visually engaging, and interactive analog systems might help to foster resilience and reframe failure as a necessary part of the creative process. Through a review of existing literature on perfectionism and creativity, analysis of successful tabletop and digital interventions, and cognitive-behavioral strategies, this research will inform the development of a card game-based system. This card game aims to empower creatives to overcome self-criticism, risk avoidance, and burnout. The ultimate goal is to support healthier creative practices and overall better mental health outcomes.

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