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Playing Card Chat ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦ => Design & Development => Topic started by: James Johnson on August 07, 2019, 02:08:36 PM
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Hi everyone!
Always loved playing cards so I decided to design my own finally. As I continue to work on them, would love your feedback, suggestions, etc... anything that will help me make this the best deck I could ever create.
Sorry about the blurry image, my iPad is on the fritz lately. Hope you can get the general idea what I’m doing :)
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It looks like you're on to something interesting. Just be cognizant of one very important fact - your "artist's canvas" for these playing cards is a whopping 2.5 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall, period, and some of that area has to be left empty if you have a border or it may get cut off in the die cutting process - or you can make a design that's printed into the bleed, naturally. Details that are really tiny on a large screen like your iPad (large compared to a playing card, anyway) will be EXCEPTIONALLY TINY when printed. Your printer might be able to print all the teeny, tiny details, but that doesn't mean that your potential customers will be able to SEE all those details because they're just so teeny and tiny!
But like I said, your art is off to a good start so far. More power to you!
Does the deck and the art have some kind of theme? While it's not mandatory, it often does help for there to be some kind of theme, something that people can associate the overall design with.
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Very nice details. I am also curious as to the theme of the deck. Some are very simple like the snacker decks to the more intricate like the orbit v4. Your art style could always be the theme of the deck. You have a very nice style.
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It looks like you're on to something interesting. Just be cognizant of one very important fact - your "artist's canvas" for these playing cards is a whopping 2.5 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall, period, and some of that area has to be left empty if you have a border or it may get cut off in the die cutting process - or you can make a design that's printed into the bleed, naturally. Details that are really tiny on a large screen like your iPad (large compared to a playing card, anyway) will be EXCEPTIONALLY TINY when printed. Your printer might be able to print all the teeny, tiny details, but that doesn't mean that your potential customers will be able to SEE all those details because they're just so teeny and tiny!
But like I said, your art is off to a good start so far. More power to you!
Does the deck and the art have some kind of theme? While it's not mandatory, it often does help for there to be some kind of theme, something that people can associate the overall design with.
Thank you Don, so sorry it's taken me a bit to get back to you to respond.
Yep, one of the benefits of what i do and where I work at is I at one time set up the digital printing production (wide format Rolands and Mimaki's) as well as created the ICC profiles, blah, blah, blah...allllll the bugger stuff needed for printing, LOL... so I have been testing a bit of the image loss once scaled down while I develop the artwork.
It's a bit of a tradeoff, as I'm sure you well know, getting as much detail into something before it's not a benefit anymore. I've been drawing all these traditionally on A3 size paper hoping to possibly offer posters of the art as goals or at least add ons for the kickstarter launch once I get done with things.
The cards actually have 2 uses...I created a hybrid Rock, Paper, Scissors game as well as making a traditional deck so there will be more juggling with what I create. The feedback at the moment from some recent friends I've made in the card art world is to make the Rock, Paper, Scissors game first as it's a unique game and I might make more on kickstarter with that first, and then create the traditional card deck as it's own product, mostly for collectors. Still up in the air with that... :)
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Very nice details. I am also curious as to the theme of the deck. Some are very simple like the snacker decks to the more intricate like the orbit v4. Your art style could always be the theme of the deck. You have a very nice style.
Thank you for your kind words, i really appreciate it!
I currently have a Rock, Paper, Scissors unique game i created as well as wanting to make a traditional deck with a fantasy theme background of a story I came up with for the characters. Will have to see as I get closer to finishing up the artwork, what way to go to kickstart this. :)
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Another little update...
I have been working on 8 cards at the same time, all at different states of finish at the moment, so I figure I would spare you from having to see them right now. Hoping that a visit to the Renaissance Festival this next weekend will give me some of the reference images I want for a few of the characters... but in the meantime, an update with the King of Hearts.
Once i get all the background details finished, Ill be rim lighting the vines and the King to make him pop to the front more... going for just a tad of Frankenstein lighting, if that makes any sense :)
This image is a bit brighter than the actual image, just so anyone with a dimmed screen can see as much detail as possible...
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These look very interesting! Your art style is lovely. A note about the RPS game; as someone who's main work is board / card game focused, be sure you get your game reviewed and submitted on boardgamegeek.com before you go to KS with it. It's an easy process to submit, and gives folks a place to find more info. Board and card game folks expect it.
Reviews / previews are trickier, but people usually expect at least one written and one video review, if possible. Having those done before you go to KS will be super helpful.
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Another little update...
I have been working on 8 cards at the same time, all at different states of finish at the moment, so I figure I would spare you from having to see them right now. Hoping that a visit to the Renaissance Festival this next weekend will give me some of the reference images I want for a few of the characters... but in the meantime, an update with the King of Hearts.
Once i get all the background details finished, Ill be rim lighting the vines and the King to make him pop to the front more... going for just a tad of Frankenstein lighting, if that makes any sense :)
This image is a bit brighter than the actual image, just so anyone with a dimmed screen can see as much detail as possible...
Looks good.
Which Ren-Fest?
As far as making a separate rock-paper-scissors game and a traditional deck, I'd say that if you can combine them, it wouldn't hurt you to do so. You'll likely get more synergy/greater numbers on the combined project than you would on the two projects as stand-alone projects.
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To combine the RPS game mechanic into a standard deck you will need to incorporate the 3 game elements of the RPS game into the 4 suits, 13 ranks, and 52 cards elements elements of a deck of cards. If you include 2 jokers to make 54 cards, you could have 18 rock cards, 18 paper cards, and 18 scissor cards (54 divided by 3). You could also put the R, P, and S on 12 ranks of the 13, 16 of each card (48 divided by 3). You could use the 2 through King ranks, and have the 4 Aces have a special function as well as the jokers.
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You could also divide the 12 face cards into 3 by having the Kings, Queens, and Jacks combined with the rock, paper, and scissors.
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These look very interesting! Your art style is lovely. A note about the RPS game; as someone who's main work is board / card game focused, be sure you get your game reviewed and submitted on boardgamegeek.com before you go to KS with it. It's an easy process to submit, and gives folks a place to find more info. Board and card game folks expect it.
Reviews / previews are trickier, but people usually expect at least one written and one video review, if possible. Having those done before you go to KS will be super helpful.
Thank you so much for the advice Beth, I will definitely do that! So sorry it's taking so long to reply to everyone, my stupid luck kicked in a couple weeks ago... my garage ceiling crashed to the floor so I've been working on card art AND doing massive clean up. Well, I'll post some new art updates in a couple moments, still have a ways to go on things, but have received wonderful support so far😊😊😊
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Another little update...
I have been working on 8 cards at the same time, all at different states of finish at the moment, so I figure I would spare you from having to see them right now. Hoping that a visit to the Renaissance Festival this next weekend will give me some of the reference images I want for a few of the characters... but in the meantime, an update with the King of Hearts.
Once i get all the background details finished, Ill be rim lighting the vines and the King to make him pop to the front more... going for just a tad of Frankenstein lighting, if that makes any sense :)
This image is a bit brighter than the actual image, just so anyone with a dimmed screen can see as much detail as possible...
Looks good.
Which Ren-Fest?
As far as making a separate rock-paper-scissors game and a traditional deck, I'd say that if you can combine them, it wouldn't hurt you to do so. You'll likely get more synergy/greater numbers on the combined project than you would on the two projects as stand-alone projects.
Thank you Don, sosorry it’s taking a bit of time to get back to respond, my stupid bad luck kicked in 2 weeks ago and my garage ceiling caved in, so been working on cleaning up the mess while trying to get more artwork done.
The Renaissance festival was the Michigan one, although, again, my bad luck came to full power when we got rained out, so didn’t get photos I needed, so on to doing it the old fashioned way, guessing what things should look like, Lol
Definitely thinking I’ll do both decks, but will have to do the Rock, Paper, Scissors game first, the additional cards I’ll need to make to create a full poker deck will take quite a bit longer, and as the company I work at is balancing on a knife as it were, if I can make enough on Kickstarter to start up my own company, I would be in heaven!
Will be posting more art updates in a few, hope you like :)
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You could also divide the 12 face cards into 3 by having the Kings, Queens, and Jacks combined with the rock, paper, and scissors.
Once I get everything squared away, eventually I will have cards designed specifically for the traditional deck as well as the specialty cards I have for the RPS game. Added in quite a few extras, so it’s kind of RPS meets Uno and of course some crazy cards I created like a war card, (that one is hilarious watching people play that card with the test deck I created, so far not one person had a bad comment on any of the mechanics of the game, thank god :) )
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Some more updates, I’ve been juggling working on a collapsed garage ceiling while trying to work more on the deck art, hope you like so far...
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More...
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Still more...
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And more...
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Wow! Lovely!!! Excellent work, James.
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It looks like you're on the path to a very attractive design here. Keep up the good work.
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Wow! Lovely!!! Excellent work, James.
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Thank you so much Lee! More on its way soon :)
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It looks like you're on the path to a very attractive design here. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much Don, should have some more updates soon :)
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Really looking forward to seeing where this project goes in the future. The theme is savage and attention to detail is stellar.
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I remember you on instagram, I really like the design) ;)
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Been awhile... busy with working on 12 different cards at the same time I’m designing the tuck case AND having to still do my day job, whew.
Anyways, an update with a few of the pieces, hope you like. Situating myself to be able to ramp up on the card art side of things during and after the holidays, fingers crossed.
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Been awhile... busy with working on 12 different cards at the same time I’m designing the tuck case AND having to still do my day job, whew.
Anyways, an update with a few of the pieces, hope you like. Situating myself to be able to ramp up on the card art side of things during and after the holidays, fingers crossed.
You're not the first deck designer who did his work at night while holding down a day job. It's not easy. But if you're really, really fortunate, you might be one of the rare few who gets to say sayonara to the day gig because the card designing work becomes so successful. Judging from this art, you're on the right track so far. Keep us posted!
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Thank you so much Don, your comment is so very much appreciated!
I do hope I can be one of those luck ones and just be able to do what I want to and not have the 10 hour work /3 hour drive day I’ve had literally these last 20 years... I have so many things I want to create and to have others like yourself give me words of encouragement means so much to me! Hopefully, during the holidays I can jump in fully on getting going with the artwork and have it finished in the next couple of months, should be an exciting and very busy time in 2020!
If I don’t get the chance to respond beforehand, I want to wish you and everyone on the board the happiest of holidays, a joyous and joyful new year and good health and humor to each of you!😊😊😊
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Hi again everyone, been awhile...
Yep, beeen crazy busy with life, BUT I have been working on the card art as much as I possibly can... and now that I got furloughed from my place of employment for 60 days, I now have time to devote to getting the card art finished!
Soooo, here are a few of the updates... I do have more but am going to wait just a bit as I will be focusing on them this week and want to have more of the designs finished.
I also have a wild design I have been 3d modeling for a card holder/display that goes with the look of the cards... will take quite a bit of time before I'll have it finished modeled, but it should be pretty cool when I'm done.
Everyone, stay safe and stay healthy, wishing us all the best!
Below... the Broken Hearted King/ King of Hearts
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The broken Queen of Hearts
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Despair ( a side character for one of the 2 versions of the deck )
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The Jack of Clubs/Paper Guard
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The Paper King/ King of Clubs
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Reverse card ( a side character for one of the 2 versions of the deck )
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The Rock King/King of Diamonds
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Stone guard/ Jack of Diamonds
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and finally a trade card ( a side character for one of the 2 versions of the deck )
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It's all looking very good. I think you've got a very good chance to make a successful project out of this, and you certainly have the time on your hands now. You have a leg up on some in that you've been working on this a while now - I think that due to the worldwide enforced home stays that a lot of people are enduring, there will be literally an explosion of Kickstarter projects like this one coming out very soon.
That will end up being brutal, I think - a surplus of deck designs amid a time when many are losing their jobs and can barely afford food and shelter. All the more reason to get your project out as soon as possible, and to try and work it out so the price point is as low as you can get it, in order to increase its affordability and popularity for people with less-deep pockets. That's my two cents - I could easily be entirely wrong.
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Looks definitely like the artwork for a successful project. I know some collectors that will definitely be in for a brick of these decks.
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It's all looking very good. I think you've got a very good chance to make a successful project out of this, and you certainly have the time on your hands now. You have a leg up on some in that you've been working on this a while now - I think that due to the worldwide enforced home stays that a lot of people are enduring, there will be literally an explosion of Kickstarter projects like this one coming out very soon.
That will end up being brutal, I think - a surplus of deck designs amid a time when many are losing their jobs and can barely afford food and shelter. All the more reason to get your project out as soon as possible, and to try and work it out so the price point is as low as you can get it, in order to increase its affordability and popularity for people with less-deep pockets. That's my two cents - I could easily be entirely wrong.
Thanks Don! Yeah, I have some major concerns about the timing of launching the deck possibly this summer, not sure where the world will be at that time (keeping my fingers crossed good things are around the corner). On one hand, I have had it in the back of my mind to try to keep the cost down on production to get it out to as many as possible, on the other hand, I have a few unique ideas for the deck that will make the cost of publishing it a bit higher than normal... hoping I?ll be able to have multiple versions available so it lets everyone get what they can afford/want. Never having done this before (kickstarting), I?m guessing that I will have to get a small army of people interested in buying the decks to lower the costs/making it possible to be offering multiple options.
Really appreciate the encouragement and suggestions Don, any time you can offer ideas or suggestions, my ears are open!
Stay safe and stay healthy my friend!
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Looks definitely like the artwork for a successful project. I know some collectors that will definitely be in for a brick of these decks.
I really appreciate the support and encouragement and really pushing myself to get this done asap with the highest quality artwork and design work I can.
Stay safe and stay healthy my friend!
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Really looking forward to seeing where this project goes in the future. The theme is savage and attention to detail is stellar.
I AM SOOOO SORRY Cardinistry! I looked back in the feed and it appears I didn?t thank you when you commented. Some personal stuff happened during that time (ceiling in my garage collapsed and some health problems with my neck... what joy! Lol) so I must have missed your post. Anyways, it?s very kind of you to comment favorably with the art, hope you?ll enjoy the rest of the updates coming up! :)
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I remember you on instagram, I really like the design) ;)
Really enjoying your designs on Instagram Evgenya, love the style your working in. Hope people look at your work if they catch this post my friend! Stay safe and stay healthy;)
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Stay safe and stay healthy my friend!
Thanks a lot. You as well.
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It's all looking very good. I think you've got a very good chance to make a successful project out of this, and you certainly have the time on your hands now. You have a leg up on some in that you've been working on this a while now - I think that due to the worldwide enforced home stays that a lot of people are enduring, there will be literally an explosion of Kickstarter projects like this one coming out very soon.
That will end up being brutal, I think - a surplus of deck designs amid a time when many are losing their jobs and can barely afford food and shelter. All the more reason to get your project out as soon as possible, and to try and work it out so the price point is as low as you can get it, in order to increase its affordability and popularity for people with less-deep pockets. That's my two cents - I could easily be entirely wrong.
Thanks Don! Yeah, I have some major concerns about the timing of launching the deck possibly this summer, not sure where the world will be at that time (keeping my fingers crossed good things are around the corner). On one hand, I have had it in the back of my mind to try to keep the cost down on production to get it out to as many as possible, on the other hand, I have a few unique ideas for the deck that will make the cost of publishing it a bit higher than normal... hoping I?ll be able to have multiple versions available so it lets everyone get what they can afford/want. Never having done this before (kickstarting), I?m guessing that I will have to get a small army of people interested in buying the decks to lower the costs/making it possible to be offering multiple options.
Really appreciate the encouragement and suggestions Don, any time you can offer ideas or suggestions, my ears are open!
Stay safe and stay healthy my friend!
You should take the easiest route possible. Start with a simple, low goal, then create stretch goals. For example, consider this functional deck project and its stretch goals.
GOAL: for $10,000, the deck gets made, printed by MakePlayingCards.com
Stretch Goal 1: At $12,000, I'll change the printer to Expert PCC
Stretch Goal 2: At $15,000, I'll get embossing for the tuck boxes.
Stretch Goal 3: At $20,000, I'll have the cards all foil-stamped on the backs.
Stretch Goal 4: At $23,000, I'll make a gilded version available for a premium.
Stretch Goal 5: At $30,000, I'll create a second deck with the same design and a new color pattern for the back.
Stretch Goal 6: At $50,000, I'll make a third colorway, custom brick boxes, sign every deck, name my first-born after you, etc.
You get the idea!
This kind of structure allows you to make the project at whatever goal point you're able to raise funds for - if you only raise a little, you still get it made, but as an economy project; if you raise a lot extra, you have more deluxe features and options, but you can still keep it affordable for those you can't shell out for all the bells and whistles, just by keeping your original tiers (some budget-oriented, some more expensive) and making the new stuff (like gilded decks and such) as new tiers or as add-ons to the original project.
Another popular feature, I'm sure you've seen, would be to have "early bird" specials - specially-discounted, limited-time tiers created to jumpstart the backing for your project and give the really skint backers a chance to get what you're offering at a lower price than it would normally be available. For example, if a single deck normally goes for $15, you offer an "early bird" deal of a single deck for $12, but only for people backing in the first 24 hours, or only for the first 50 people to jump on at that tier. In order to really target the hard-up backer low on cash, some will intentionally restrict early-bird tiers to have no add-ons available, thus insuring that only those really working with low funds will be the ones most interested in jumping in. Not everyone does that, though - some really just want to pump up the numbers out of the gate, so they let anyone add anything and just use the early bird as a way to boost their backer numbers, nothing more.
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So sorry it's taken so long to post.... I actually have been creating another deck of cards AND a board game while working on this deck. ( I LOVE TO TORTURE MYSELF!!! LOL)
Will post an update on some of the cards soon.... been waiting for the card companies to get reopen so I can start talking to them about costs for production, what do I have to do on my end, etc.... so wish there was a step by step guide to go thru to make a card deck happen...whew!
Anyways, updates coming soon. In another new post I'll show the other deck and what I've been up to in that one if you are all interested. :)
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Great work, keep it going! Could imagine full size prints together with a deck of cards would be very popular backer options on KS