Background
Inspired by the forbidden knowledge hidden within Apocrypha, The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom Look Book Bundle was created as a collector’s piece that brings the mystery and magic of the Arcanist class from Tamriel into the real world. In the game’s universe, Arcanists draw their power from ancient secrets preserved within forgotten tomes, and this set was designed to transform that lore into a tangible collectible experience.
The collection features a book-shaped display box inspired by the Arcanist’s tome of power, paired with an Ouroboros necklace featuring the iconic three-headed symbol from the world of The Elder Scrolls Online. Through the combination of storytelling, material selection, and craftsmanship, the set recreates the feeling of uncovering an ancient artifact — allowing fans to experience not only a physical collectible, but also a deeper connection to the atmosphere, lore, and magical identity of the Arcanist.
Challenge
The main challenge of this project was managing the integration of multiple manufacturing processes within a single product while maintaining consistency and quality throughout production.
The product combined several complex techniques, including digital printing for high-definition patterns and full-color reproduction, a temperature-sensitive color-changing process to enhance interactivity, hot stamping to create a premium finish, sticky mesh application to improve texture and layering, and embossing to strengthen the three-dimensional effect. Each process required precise control, and even a small inconsistency between different processes could affect the overall appearance and quality of the final product.
Another challenge was ensuring that these different materials and processes could work together during mass production. Since each technique had its own production requirements and limitations, the difficulty was not only achieving the desired visual effect but also finding a reliable manufacturing solution that could remain stable and repeatable at scale.
In addition, the project required exploring new material applications to enhance the collector experience. Using materials that were not commonly applied in this product category introduced additional challenges in terms of production feasibility, material compatibility, and quality control.
What I did
I focused on turning the design into a stable and repeatable production solution before mass production began. Because the product involved multiple materials and processes — including hot stamping, digital printing, hand-applied mesh, embossing, and other finishing techniques — I planned the manufacturing sequence carefully and coordinated the different suppliers involved. The order of these processes was important, as an incorrect sequence could easily create more defects in the later stages of production.
A major part of my work happened during sampling. I identified potential production problems early and repeatedly adjusted dimensions, tolerances, and design details based on the actual manufacturing results. Rather than waiting until mass production to solve these issues, I used the sampling stage to validate the key details and make the design more stable and suitable for production.
I also explored a new material solution for the book box. The customer wanted the edges of the box to look and feel like layers of real paper, which could not be achieved through conventional printing alone. I introduced a material normally used in the interior decoration industry and worked out how it could be adapted to the structure and manufacturing requirements of this product.
For the raised details along the book spine, I worked with the mold supplier to adjust the structure and determine the appropriate dimensions and height. The goal was to achieve a clear three-dimensional effect without putting too much stress on the surface material or causing damage during forming.
I also carried out extensive assembly testing to determine how the internal box, outer book cover, and necklace could be integrated reliably. The necklace area was specifically redesigned so that it could be securely held inside the package while keeping the interior visually clean and reducing unnecessary supporting materials. This allowed the final presentation to remain simple and immersive without compromising assembly stability.
Outcome
Despite the amount of handwork and the complexity involved in production, the final product achieved a high level of detail and closely captured the look and character of the original in-game design. The craftsmanship and overall presentation were well received by fans of the character and the game.
After launch, the product sold out quickly even at a retail price approaching $200. This strong market response gave the customer confidence in both the product concept and the production approach, leading them to move forward with the development of a second and third product in the same series.
