How do designers protect their work?

Do they get it copyrighted? Is there an assumed copyright? Or something else?

What is the process and cost as well?

Thanks for any help.

It was just a general comment- To me it was just funny. The overall ignorance that a company should produce a product for what ever money you can raise. It's not like they are trying to make a profit. It reminded me of a comment my stepson once said(was 22 at the time)- He said "I don't understand why people charge for bottled water. Its water. It should be free"

Being fairly new to this. The question was really coming from the prospective of a Kickstarter backer. Anyone that does this for a living, and funding their own decks. Please by all means bring your decks out in every color imaginable. If that is selling for you-great. An example I'll use on KS is TPX is just finishing the Allure White reboot, and  the opposite-Elite just finished their new Majestic project on KS, and at the same time rebooted there Ritual deck with out KS funding. Hopefully that made since.

When I found KS, the Postumo deck was the first I had saw. It had already been funded, so I don't know if he started the project with 3 colors or not. I really liked the idea of a 3 color set. I thought to my self. that's what I want to do. Then I found out how many decks had to be ordered. When I get my project out there. I'm going to add 2 colors as stretch goals. I figure if there is not enough interest in it to reach the stretch goals the first time- then no since in bringing them back. I already have an Idea for a second design(if the first does well), and it does tie in with the first. While it would be along the same theme. It would be a completely different design. I don't think having multiple colors in one project is a problem. When you buy a double deck of Bicycle cards. You get 1 red-1 blue. I think bringing it back as a second-third project is only about making money- witch I do not think is in the spirit of what KS is about.

$55,000, and no signs of slowing down. looks like this could top the Fed 52 project. There getting a lot of backing from the book enthusiast. I've started reading the book. So far pretty good. Albino has been reworking the designs as they go with a lot of input from the readers. They are really playing close attention to the symbolism to tie in with the book. I can see why it is doing so well. I watched the video of Shane drawing the ace of spades. About half way through, I thought he was done. The amount of detail he puts into the design. Its no wonder they have been successful. True artist in my opinion.

Alex,  I might have lied there by mistake. It may have been UC or one of the other card sites. I found KS in March and have backed several projects, some cards, some others. The first deck I saw on there was the Postumo Deck. It had already been funded, but I just loved the whole concept. I ended up going to work late that day, just looking at all the different projects. I had never thought about designing a set of cards before. Didn't really know it was even possible. I knew from day one that I wanted to design a deck, and already knew the theme I was going to use. Every since then I have been doing research. I've gotten pricing from USPCC, and researched the shipping & packaging. I've probably looked at 1000 plus websites about cards, and things that tie in. I hope to have the design done before fall. My issue is that I am not an artist. I've never used Photoshop or Illustrator. Having said that. If it takes me a year or more to do the design. Then that is what it will be. I'm not going to through out there a crappy design. As far as learning AP & AI- Well I rebuilt the front suspension on a Honda watching youtube.

If you couldn't guess by my user name. My name is Robert.
I've been reading a lot of comments on here, and have already added a few myself.
I don't know whether to say I'm a cardist, collector or what. I'll just say I love cards. I grew up in a home were cards were always on the table. I've played about every game imaginable, From Rummy, Rook, Spades, Uno, Poker, etc. I've won some money, and lost some to. My most used app on my phone is solitaire. Was born and raised in VA. Probably die here someday as well. At 43- hope I'm only half way there. Found this site on a KS project. I am currently designing a deck myself. Hopefully you guys will not tear me a new one too bad.

Quote from: ManMadeGames on May 22, 2013, 03:51:59 PM

Quote from: BiggerDee on May 22, 2013, 12:19:03 PM

Broccoli and artichokes? Really? REALLY?

I'd like to comment further, but I am so utterly stunned at the moment...

Dear Lord, SIXTY-TWO backers?

Dibs on a kiwi and kumquat deck.

No way, I was doing Kiwi and Rubarb.  Now I'll have to do Swiss Chard!!

Well, then I have dibs on a veggie deck that shows the veggies AFTER they've been eaten...   

Now that would truly be a crappy deck!

I do not have a problem with the cost of USPCC's decks. At around $3 for a branded deck. For short runs of 2500 decks compared to there major runs in 100,000s or more. I would like to see them bring on a lower run tier- say 1000. I would be willing to pay $3.50-$4 a deck. Most projects on KS, by my guess do about 1,000 to 1,500 decks. At a 1,000 deck min. Projects could be funded at $6-8000. I guess the downside of this would be a lot of crappy decks that should not get made-would.

New guy here. hello to everyone.
Just wanted to rant a second. WTF! This guy and Adam(Army Men) are going to muff KS up for everyone. Come to find out-looks like Adam had already done this before on the Revision Deck.
 I am currently designing a deck my self. I have spent hours researching my design and cost including shipping. I've contacted USPCC, and have gotten preliminary oks on my design concept. I'm scared to go forward. I am not going to go in under 15-18,000 goal, because I know that is what it is going to cost. The other issue I see is creators with goals under 10,000. Backers do not understand the these low ballers have not done enough research for true cost.  At some point KS is going to have to step up. Unfortunately they will probably muff it up even worse.
Sorry for the negative first post. I have backed over 20 projects on KS, and so far have received everything on schedule.