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Playing Card Chat ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦ => Design & Development => Topic started by: Jamm Pakd Cards on March 16, 2015, 01:48:18 PM

Title: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on March 16, 2015, 01:48:18 PM
Hey Everyone!  Here is another project I am working on with my designer.  Everything is hand drawn as usual.  I wanted to post a couple different options of the back of the card we are working on.  Please let me know which one you like the best.  The box is a work in progress.  We are going to work on the lettering Widow some more.   Let me know what you think.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on March 16, 2015, 01:48:56 PM
Tuck Box!
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Don Boyer on March 17, 2015, 12:08:12 AM
As much as I'm a big fan of two-way backs, this deck really rocks with that HUGE-A$$ spider on the one-way back.

If you're sticking to a two-way design instead, go for the one at the bottom.  To me that looks better, perhaps even a bit more menacing.  But take the flies out of the web's center and offset them a little - each spider tracking a different fly would look more visually interesting and (should you opt to do so) would allow you to put something in the center - or not.

Perhaps an already-cocooned fly!
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: sprouts1115 on March 17, 2015, 07:53:06 PM
Jamm - You really need to make me believe the hour glass in on the bottom of the spider.  I can't tell.  Maybe if you put the spider in the upper left corner fighting the fly at the center at a diagonal that would work better.  If the the red hour glass shows up in the fan that would be a plus.  Maybe go 3-D.  Randy knows 3-D.  Maybe, the Widow is fighting the fly through the web.
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on March 18, 2015, 02:07:58 PM
Jamm - You really need to make me believe the hour glass in on the bottom of the spider.  I can't tell.  Maybe if you put the spider in the upper left corner fighting the fly at the center at a diagonal that would work better.  If the the red hour glass shows up in the fan that would be a plus.  Maybe go 3-D.  Randy knows 3-D.  Maybe, the Widow is fighting the spider through the web.

Thanks for all the feedback, as usual it is helpful. Glad people like it so far. Yes we are being more stylized not actual on this design.  We are taking artistic liberties with the hour glass - is it on the front or back, up to interpretation to the viewer. 
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on March 18, 2015, 02:10:00 PM
As much as I'm a big fan of two-way backs, this deck really rocks with that HUGE-A$$ spider on the one-way back.

If you're sticking to a two-way design instead, go for the one at the bottom.  To me that looks better, perhaps even a bit more menacing.  But take the flies out of the web's center and offset them a little - each spider tracking a different fly would look more visually interesting and (should you opt to do so) would allow you to put something in the center - or not.

Perhaps an already-cocooned fly!

I know Don, I love two-way designs as well but the first option is one of my favorites. I am not sure how the card community will react to the one way design.  Thanks for the feedback!
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Vadim Smolenskiy on March 19, 2015, 11:02:53 AM
I know Don, I love two-way designs as well but the first option is one of my favorites. I am not sure how the card community will react to the one way design.  Thanks for the feedback!

What if you put the "butt" for lack of a better word of the widow in the middle of the back of the card and give her two heads (one facing up, the other down). Sure, you'll lose some "real" factor but it will make it reversible AND the red hour glass will be in the center!

Could be worth a shot!

-Kleetz
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on March 19, 2015, 10:17:44 PM
I know Don, I love two-way designs as well but the first option is one of my favorites. I am not sure how the card community will react to the one way design.  Thanks for the feedback!

What if you put the "butt" for lack of a better word of the widow in the middle of the back of the card and give her two heads (one facing up, the other down). Sure, you'll lose some "real" factor but it will make it reversible AND the red hour glass will be in the center!

Could be worth a shot!

-Kleetz

That is a great idea!  We tried that and with the legs it looks messy and doesnt work to well. thanks for the suggestion!  Appreciate all the feedback!
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Vadim Smolenskiy on March 20, 2015, 11:41:43 AM
That is a great idea!  We tried that and with the legs it looks messy and doesnt work to well. thanks for the suggestion!  Appreciate all the feedback!

The four hind legs could connect (morph into each other), that would make it less messy. I'll keep thinking!
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Don Boyer on March 21, 2015, 02:51:21 AM
I know Don, I love two-way designs as well but the first option is one of my favorites. I am not sure how the card community will react to the one way design.  Thanks for the feedback!

What if you put the "butt" for lack of a better word of the widow in the middle of the back of the card and give her two heads (one facing up, the other down). Sure, you'll lose some "real" factor but it will make it reversible AND the red hour glass will be in the center!

Could be worth a shot!

-Kleetz

That is a great idea!  We tried that and with the legs it looks messy and doesnt work to well. thanks for the suggestion!  Appreciate all the feedback!

Seriously, the idea Kleetz suggested is good, as is the big one-way back.  Regardless of your final choice, making that spider HUGE really makes the deck back striking.

I'd suggest using a light shade of gray for the details on the card back - perhaps even multiple shades of lighter gray.  If the gray is too dark, it won't stand out well against all that black.

Yes, real Black Widow spiders have their hourglass on the underside - but who cares?  If you REALLY wanted to make it a more authentic design, however, put the spider UNDER the web, outlined in white rather than gray!  You could have a bit of fun with making the mouth big enough to see and scary enough to spark children's nightmares!  You always see spiders drawn from above, but rarely see them drawn from below - and below is where all the action is!
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: sprouts1115 on March 26, 2015, 08:19:06 PM
"real Black Widow spiders have their hourglass on the underside - but who cares?"  This is what symbolizes a Black Widow spider.  Symbolism in a deck of cards goes a long way...
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Rob Wright on March 27, 2015, 03:00:58 AM
I really like the concept here, but I have to say the hourglass is killing me. I do not see a hourglass. I see two red triangles. It doesn't match the geometry of the rest of the back. look at the picture Sprouts posted of a real Black Widow. The hourglass should be closer to that, and maybe a little smaller. I would round the outer four corners off. I would leave the center pretty narrow, but still round the points in like this- )( 
JMO!
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Don Boyer on March 27, 2015, 10:11:10 AM
I really like the concept here, but I have to say the hourglass is killing me. I do not see a hourglass. I see two red triangles. It doesn't match the geometry of the rest of the back. look at the picture Sprouts posted of a real Black Widow. The hourglass should be closer to that, and maybe a little smaller. I would round the outer four corners off. I would leave the center pretty narrow, but still round the points in like this- )( 
JMO!

Honestly, if he made his "hourglass" look like the one on the underside of a real Black Widow spider,  it would look almost more like a barbell weight used in strength training.  It's a bit stylized but I have no issues at all with the "two red triangles" of the hourglass.

As you stated, just your opinion.  We all have 'em.
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on April 03, 2015, 04:29:31 PM
I really like the concept here, but I have to say the hourglass is killing me. I do not see a hourglass. I see two red triangles. It doesn't match the geometry of the rest of the back. look at the picture Sprouts posted of a real Black Widow. The hourglass should be closer to that, and maybe a little smaller. I would round the outer four corners off. I would leave the center pretty narrow, but still round the points in like this- )( 
JMO!

Honestly, if he made his "hourglass" look like the one on the underside of a real Black Widow spider,  it would look almost more like a barbell weight used in strength training.  It's a bit stylized but I have no issues at all with the "two red triangles" of the hourglass.

As you stated, just your opinion.  We all have 'em.

The hourglass with the sharp edges ending up looking sharper and more menacing than rounded edges.
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Fess on April 03, 2015, 11:57:40 PM
I really like the concept here, but I have to say the hourglass is killing me. I do not see a hourglass. I see two red triangles. It doesn't match the geometry of the rest of the back. look at the picture Sprouts posted of a real Black Widow. The hourglass should be closer to that, and maybe a little smaller. I would round the outer four corners off. I would leave the center pretty narrow, but still round the points in like this- )( 
JMO!

Honestly, if he made his "hourglass" look like the one on the underside of a real Black Widow spider,  it would look almost more like a barbell weight used in strength training.  It's a bit stylized but I have no issues at all with the "two red triangles" of the hourglass.

As you stated, just your opinion.  We all have 'em.

The hourglass with the sharp edges ending up looking sharper and more menacing than rounded edges.

Just need to say this, it actually does look like two triangles meeting at their tips. That's not umm, you know the best thing. Smoothed out and a little more organic while keeping the menacing appeal of sharp edges may be the way to go. Just sayin...  ;)
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on April 04, 2015, 03:04:10 PM
The Ace of Spades turned out great!  Here is the Ace of Spades for the Black Deck.
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on June 01, 2015, 02:30:32 PM
With this deck we have custom hand drawn court cards but I wanted them have a  "standard" court card feel. We are adding the web in our custom court cards to add the spider flare to it.

Black Widow Deck coming soon to kickstarter.
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Levent Suberk on June 01, 2015, 07:23:15 PM
Very good design, especially first card back and ace of spades. If you want to use two spiders you can scale down first card back. Card faces may be look better on a black background.
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Don Boyer on June 01, 2015, 07:51:46 PM
This is looking good, so far.  I like how you're modifying courts to a) have webs in them, but more importantly, b) be original while at the same time look traditional.  Good work, and not an easy balance to strike.
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on June 01, 2015, 08:41:53 PM
This is looking good, so far.  I like how you're modifying courts to a) have webs in them, but more importantly, b) be original while at the same time look traditional.  Good work, and not an easy balance to strike.

Thanks Don!  I appreciate the feedback!
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on June 01, 2015, 08:42:19 PM
Very good design, especially first card back and ace of spades. If you want to use two spiders you can scale down first card back. Card faces may be look better on a black background.

Thanks Levent!
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on June 07, 2015, 06:35:26 PM
Coming soon to Kickstarter in Mid June
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on June 07, 2015, 06:39:10 PM
Red and Black Decks
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Don Boyer on June 08, 2015, 01:12:21 AM
Red and Black Decks

Pretty!  Any special features you're considering?  Y'know - embossing, custom seals, etc.?

This would be a great project for UV inks on the cards, covering the webbing!  It would give it a 3-D effect!  Or perhaps even hot foil stamping for the webs!
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on June 08, 2015, 11:22:45 AM
Red and Black Decks

Pretty!  Any special features you're considering?  Y'know - embossing, custom seals, etc.?

This would be a great project for UV inks on the cards, covering the webbing!  It would give it a 3-D effect!  Or perhaps even hot foil stamping for the webs!

Hey Don, Thanks!  Yes both boxes will have embossed, foil features and the box will have a pattern on the inside.  Another good feature is the black deck will have foil on the back of the card. 
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on June 16, 2015, 02:35:03 PM
Hey Everyone! I am launching the Black Widow Deck on Kickstarter at 11:30am AZ Time/2:30 eastern tomorrow June 17th . Pledge early so you can take advantage of the early birds. The playing card case early bird is a big saving with the decks included. here is a pic of the case. Thanks for all of the support!
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on June 17, 2015, 02:37:08 PM
Now Available!  I am excited to announce my Black Widow Playing Cards are now live on Kickstarter!  Please click on the link below and support the project by purchasing a few decks!  Price discounts go fast so act now! Thanks again for all of the support!  Please spread the word to all of your friends and family by sharing and posting on social media.  Thanks!  Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/86221149/black-widow-playing-cards
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on June 19, 2015, 03:15:30 PM
We had an excellent first couple of days on Kickstarter.  We are 32% funded!  Thanks to all of my backers and supporters.  Please help me by keep spreading the word so this deck becomes a reality.  A few price discounts have sold out - act fast before they are all gone! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/86221149/black-widow-playing-cards
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Jamm Pakd Cards on June 24, 2015, 04:08:47 PM
Thank you to all of my backers and supporters.  Thanks to you we are 37% to our goal.  We have 22 days left in the campaign so if you haven't picked up a deck please go to the link and make your pledge.  Thank you all very much!  Please share and post the link to all your friends and family.  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/86221149/black-widow-playing-cards
Title: Re: Black Widow Deck
Post by: Don Boyer on June 24, 2015, 08:38:02 PM
You don't need to keep posting in both topics - just use the one at the Plethora.  Design/Dev stage is long over for this deck!