NoMad by theory 11 (04/15/15 3pm EST)

[Rob Wright]

NoMad. Produced in collaboration with The NoMad Hotel in New York City. Coming Soon.

[Talisman]

That tuck case signifies "Class". Very sharp looking and sophisticated. Hoping the cards match the tuck unlike the Contraband cards which I feel didn't match that spectacular tuck.

[HankMan]

Looks good 
cant wait to see the back

[Collector]

That tuck case signifies "Class". Very sharp looking and sophisticated...

In case of Theory11, the question is always about court cards. 

[Don Boyer]

That tuck case signifies "Class". Very sharp looking and sophisticated...

In case of Theory11, the question is always about court cards. 

And the pretty, pretty boxes, too!

[Card Player]

These are looking really nice. Looking forward to seeing more.

That tuck case signifies "Class". Very sharp looking and sophisticated. Hoping the cards match the tuck unlike the Contraband cards which I feel didn't match that spectacular tuck.

You guys are way too hard on Contraband. Contraband may not be your cup of tea. However, the cards represent the tuck just about as well as any other deck T11 has produced. I thought the whole project was designed nicely. I expect the same from NoMad.

[Fess]

I wonder why they don't show us the card back at least when they taunt us with the tuck. Of course the tuck is going to be all bells and whistles, it's their calling card. A corner of the card back would be nice if not the whole thing. Hell, throw caution to the wind and show us a court card too T11. 

[Card Player]

I wonder why they don't show us the card back at least when they taunt us with the tuck. Of course the tuck is going to be all bells and whistles, it's their calling card. A corner of the card back would be nice if not the whole thing. Hell, throw caution to the wind and show us a court card too T11. 

That's just the way theory11 has always teased their decks. If it came in a wood collectors box, the wood box would be teased first and then the tuck. It's like unwrapping a gift. Outside to inside. I don't think they are hiding anything.

[Don Boyer]

They've gotten a lot better with their teaser campaigns.  I'm still not a fan of them, but they don't drag them out for very long, nor to they claim their new design-of-the-month is the next best thing to breathing.

[Justin O.]

Just found out that one of my favorite designers Chad Michael is doing work on this deck. I'm not familiar enough with T11's design process to know if he has done work for them before or not, but I really love his work independently of playing cards, was even lucky enough to get a promo bottle of Whisky he did label design for that is just stunning. Makes me exponentially more excited about this deck. If you have a chance check out his website http://www.chadmichaelstudio.com/

[Talisman]

Just found out that one of my favorite designers Chad Michael is doing work on this deck. I'm not familiar enough with T11's design process to know if he has done work for them before or not, but I really love his work independently of playing cards, was even lucky enough to get a promo bottle of Whisky he did label design for that is just stunning. Makes me exponentially more excited about this deck. If you have a chance check out his website http://www.chadmichaelstudio.com/

Thanks Justin O. for that link. BTW when I checked it out I clicked the "About" link and there at the bottom left is a first photo is of the Ace of Spades for the Nomad cards.

[Card Player]

Just found out that one of my favorite designers Chad Michael is doing work on this deck. I'm not familiar enough with T11's design process to know if he has done work for them before or not, but I really love his work independently of playing cards, was even lucky enough to get a promo bottle of Whisky he did label design for that is just stunning. Makes me exponentially more excited about this deck. If you have a chance check out his website http://www.chadmichaelstudio.com/

Thanks Justin O. for that link. BTW when I checked it out I clicked the "About" link and there at the bottom left is a first photo is of the Ace of Spades for the Nomad cards.

The AOS has that German Black Forest Cuckoo Clock look to it. I reserve judgment till I see more.

[HankMan]

Just found out that one of my favorite designers Chad Michael is doing work on this deck. I'm not familiar enough with T11's design process to know if he has done work for them before or not, but I really love his work independently of playing cards, was even lucky enough to get a promo bottle of Whisky he did label design for that is just stunning. Makes me exponentially more excited about this deck. If you have a chance check out his website http://www.chadmichaelstudio.com/

Thanks Justin O. for that link. BTW when I checked it out I clicked the "About" link and there at the bottom left is a first photo is of the Ace of Spades for the Nomad cards.

Very interesting indeed, AoS looks good to me. Can't wait to see more, I just hope its not a 1 way back design.

[Don Boyer]

Has T11 ever produced a one-way back design?  I seem to recall they go out of their way to insure the designs are two-way, such as when they altered the back of the JAQK Wineries deck.

[HankMan]

Has T11 ever produced a one-way back design?  I seem to recall they go out of their way to insure the designs are two-way, such as when they altered the back of the JAQK Wineries deck.

I just hope that way because on the website by Chad Michael I saw  1 of the design which look like playing cards and that is 1 way back. Obviously that is not nomad but just saying  maybe he designed  nomad in similar way.

[10ofclubs]

Has T11 ever produced a one-way back design?  I seem to recall they go out of their way to insure the designs are two-way, such as when they altered the back of the JAQK Wineries deck.

I'm pretty sure the orange Animal Kingdom deck was one way. If I recall correctly, there was a symbol of each of the four suits in each corner of the card.

[Talisman]

10ofclubs, I believe what you were referring to as playing cards is actually Chad's business card, though I wish he did design something like that for a KS campaign.

[Don Boyer]

10ofclubs, I believe what you were referring to as playing cards is actually Chad's business card, though I wish he did design something like that for a KS campaign.

Actually, no - he's referring to THIS deck:
https://store.theory11.com/products/animal-kingdom

And yes, 10C, that was a one-way back, but it was more of an exception than a rule.  Besides, it was a special product - a charity fundraiser.  The overwhelming majority of the decks T11 produces have standard faces, with some recoloring, and two-way backs.  They tend to make decks with a greater appeal to magicians - fewer sharply limited editions, faces an audience will relate to, etc.  Two-way backs are part of that design concept.

[10ofclubs]

That is the deck I was talking about Don. And I wasn't trying to say that it's likely this deck is going to be one way because that deck was, I was just answering your question that Theory11 has released a deck with a one-way back before.

[Talisman]

My mistake. That post was meant for 52JokesAndCounting. Sorry for the confusion. You'll see what I'm talking about at the website.
http://www.chadmichaelstudio.com/

[Don Boyer]

My mistake. That post was meant for 52JokesAndCounting. Sorry for the confusion. You'll see what I'm talking about at the website.
http://www.chadmichaelstudio.com/

To be a little more precise, look here: http://chadmichaelstudio.squarespace.com/studiobranding/

That is one wicked-looking business card, right down to the gilded edges.  It does vaguely look like a playing card but the proportions aren't the same and the corners are squared.

[Rob Wright]

Available 3pm EST tomorrow

[Talisman]

Which other decks of playing cards has Chad Michael designed besides these Nomad playing cards? I hope to see more cards designed by him. He's a hell of an artist from what I see on his website. I'm beginning to think he designed the tuck box for the Ultimate deck.
Here is his Instagram https://instagram.com/chadmichaelstudio/ and and some more work of his at Behance https://www.behance.net/ChadMichael.
Also, from my understanding he transplanted from Dallas, TX to Brooklyn, NY where he has his design studio.

Don, please feel free to move this topic elsewhere as you see fit because I think I'm not on the original anymore.

Lastly, anyone that appreciates packaging design can check this website out http://www.packagingserved.com/

[Don Boyer]

Don, please feel free to move this topic elsewhere as you see fit because I think I'm not on the original anymore.

I'm a bit confused by this statement.  Why would I move a topic about a new deck somewhere other than the Playing Card Plethora?

Perhaps you meant "post" (noun) instead of "topic?"  If so, there's still no need.

[Card Player]

The actual back design looks nicer to me (one color), opposed to the gold foil design on the tuck.

I'm confused by the AOS even more now. While I'm cool with standard court cards, the index is standard also. All except the AOS, which seems to be a different index style.

[Justin O.]

Any signs pointing to this being a limited release? Or do you guys think I am safe to pass on it for now?

[Don Boyer]

Most releases of this nature - tie-ins with a restaurant, hotel, etc. - tend to be limited-edition affairs.  However, it's also something they'd advertise, and this deck has no notations anywhere that says "limited edition."  Seeing as how that's a selling point, they don't appear to be a limited edition - at $9.95 a pack with zero bulk discount, they're just priced like it.

[Brian M]

I have to confess that I don't really understand the "limited" edition thing. 

There seems to be no limit on limited editions. The only thing that would limit them would be for the designers to stop producing new editions and take up quilt-making, or choral singing in Heaven, or something. Or at least they could slow down and do one "limited" edition every year or two. Instead, the successful (not to mention, unsuccessful) designers seem to be producing unending numbers of new deck designs, always in "limited editions", coincidentally limited to more than they can easily sell anyway, with the limit being the minimum number that the printer will print.  Who are they kidding?

If you do somehow miss out on a "limited" edition, just wait. Another will be along in a few days from some other designer.  Limited editions for everybody, including extras for people to resell on e-Bay.  If you really want a particular designer, you probably only have to wait at most half a hear for another "limited" edition from that designer.

When I start seeing limited edition decks of 30, or even 50 examples, then I will regard them as somewhat limited.  But when I see an unending series of new designs in so-called "limited" editions of 2500 or 5000, I have to take the "limited" part with a grain of salt. Or, if I am feeling cynical, as a con.

Meanwhile, I like the look of the Nomad cards, limited or not, and bought a couple of decks.

[Card Player]

I have to confess that I don't really understand the "limited" edition thing. 

There seems to be no limit on limited editions. The only thing that would limit them would be for the designers to stop producing new editions and take up quilt-making, or choral singing in Heaven, or something. Or at least they could slow down and do one "limited" edition every year or two. Instead, the successful (not to mention, unsuccessful) designers seem to be producing unending numbers of new deck designs, always in "limited editions", coincidentally limited to more than they can easily sell anyway, with the limit being the minimum number that the printer will print.  Who are they kidding?

If you do somehow miss out on a "limited" edition, just wait. Another will be along in a few days from some other designer.  Limited editions for everybody, including extras for people to resell on e-Bay.  If you really want a particular designer, you probably only have to wait at most half a hear for another "limited" edition from that designer.

When I start seeing limited edition decks of 30, or even 50 examples, then I will regard them as somewhat limited.  But when I see an unending series of new designs in so-called "limited" editions of 2500 or 5000, I have to take the "limited" part with a grain of salt. Or, if I am feeling cynical, as a con.

Meanwhile, I like the look of the Nomad cards, limited or not, and bought a couple of decks.

Hey Brian. Welcome to the forum.

I've always believed that everything has a limit. Could be tomorrow or 200 years from now. Nothing is forever. IMO, using the word "limited" in this case, would be irrelevant without knowing the number it's limited too. For me, limited on its own is an obvious statement.

I love the NoMad project but I passed on the playing cards.

[Don Boyer]

I have to confess that I don't really understand the "limited" edition thing. 

There seems to be no limit on limited editions. The only thing that would limit them would be for the designers to stop producing new editions and take up quilt-making, or choral singing in Heaven, or something. Or at least they could slow down and do one "limited" edition every year or two. Instead, the successful (not to mention, unsuccessful) designers seem to be producing unending numbers of new deck designs, always in "limited editions", coincidentally limited to more than they can easily sell anyway, with the limit being the minimum number that the printer will print.  Who are they kidding?

If you do somehow miss out on a "limited" edition, just wait. Another will be along in a few days from some other designer.  Limited editions for everybody, including extras for people to resell on e-Bay.  If you really want a particular designer, you probably only have to wait at most half a hear for another "limited" edition from that designer.

When I start seeing limited edition decks of 30, or even 50 examples, then I will regard them as somewhat limited.  But when I see an unending series of new designs in so-called "limited" editions of 2500 or 5000, I have to take the "limited" part with a grain of salt. Or, if I am feeling cynical, as a con.

Meanwhile, I like the look of the Nomad cards, limited or not, and bought a couple of decks.

Very sage words for a new member - welcome to the forum!

There is an increasing trend toward smaller editions.  For offset printing, the lowest print run done at  high quality you're going to find right now would be about 1,000.  There are printers that use a digital process for printing, but the colors aren't as bright most of the time - a lot of designers will use a company with a digital printer for prototyping and change to a company with an offset printer for mass production.  There's all all those interesting bells and whistles people like adding, with foil this, metallic that, embossing, serially-numbered deck seals, etc.

But, if digital printing is either acceptable for the type of project you're running or goes up a notch in quality, you can have print runs of one.  There are also a small number of artists - VERY SMALL number - making handmade editions of fifty or less for each deck.  Those artists are operating in the rarefied air - they're hardly ever written about here, because they're so highly sought-after and as far from the mass market as you can get, more desired for their artistic values than the playability of the design and usability of the cards.

But back to the point - this does not appear at all to be a limited edition, in the sense that it was not designed to be a limited edition or at a minimum wasn't promoted as such.  Nothing on Earth made by man comes in an unlimited edition, as man has limitations.  But we try to restrict the use of the term to those items specifically created in a finite number, never meant for continual, on-going production.

What do you guys think of the design?

[RyanJG]

There are also a small number of artists - VERY SMALL number - making handmade editions of fifty or less for each deck.  Those artists are operating in the rarefied air - they're hardly ever written about here, because they're so highly sought-after and as far from the mass market as you can get, more desired for their artistic values than the playability of the design and usability of the cards.

Do you have any examples of these? I'm intrigued!

[Fess]

There are also a small number of artists - VERY SMALL number - making handmade editions of fifty or less for each deck.  Those artists are operating in the rarefied air - they're hardly ever written about here, because they're so highly sought-after and as far from the mass market as you can get, more desired for their artistic values than the playability of the design and usability of the cards.

Do you have any examples of these? I'm intrigued!

Eleventh Pier is an example of art over handling. Very fun deck, not for playing with, but for playing with. If you know what I mean. 

[Justin O.]

Limited to me, and why I asked initially, means I should buy it now, if I want to have one in my collection, so I don't have to buy it at a marked up price later. Numbers/other numbers on a sticker on the celo are less important than saving a little bit off the top.
There is a deck of hand printed cards made on NY subway tickets you can get purpose made on ETSY for several hundred dollars ($500 I think) I really like them, they are gorgeous, but I can't even fathom paying that much.

As far as the NoMad cards design is concerned I really love them, the tuck especially, it is reminiscent of the Artisan cards for me, despite having very different design elements, which is one of my favorite decks. But I can't praise Chad Michael's designs enough, and really think his work suits playing cards really well, as evidenced by this deck.

[Don Boyer]

There are also a small number of artists - VERY SMALL number - making handmade editions of fifty or less for each deck.  Those artists are operating in the rarefied air - they're hardly ever written about here, because they're so highly sought-after and as far from the mass market as you can get, more desired for their artistic values than the playability of the design and usability of the cards.

Do you have any examples of these? I'm intrigued!

I personally don't possess any.  They're scarce by their very nature.

One particular artist often appears in the 52+Joker annual auction.  Search Google for "Elaine Lewis playing cards" and you'll find a lot of hits.  She typically makes her decks in lots of between 20 and 100 copies - most are editions of 50, they're all semi-transformation decks and some are erotic in nature.  The sketching is done by hand, lithographed on card paper, colored by hand and placed in handmade boxes - they're incredibly beautiful.  Typically, when you can even find one on the market, they run in the ballpark of GB£130-150 (US$200-225).  There's one in the current auction for an opening bid of US$165.

Elaine Lewis' decks are really more like pieces of art than a pack of playing cards.