GREAT MINDS PLAYING CARDS

Illustration / Print Design

CHALLENGE

To design and illustrate a deck of playing cards, with unique illustrations for all the face cards, jokers, card backs and packaging.

CHALLENGE

To design and illustrate a deck of playing cards, with unique illustrations for all the face cards, jokers, card backs and packaging.

CHALLENGE

I love playing cards and there are many beautiful and unique decks out there. The concept I wanted to base my deck on was great and famous creators. I wanted to highlight some of the greatest artists, musicians, scientists, and writers throughout history.

Each suit would be a king, queen and jack all represented by famous historical figures from one of those disciplines. Additionally each of those disciplines would be represented by each suits symbol, artist as spades, musicians as diamonds, scientists as clubs, and writers as hearts.

Additionally each ace card would be represented by an illuminated suit symbol. I chose a light bulb as that symbol. The light bulb representing that at the base of every creation is a great idea, great minds and great ideas.

BACKGROUND

I love playing cards and there are many beautiful and unique decks out there. The concept I wanted to base my deck on was great and famous creators. I wanted to highlight some of the greatest artists, musicians, scientists, and writers throughout history.

Each suit would be a king, queen and jack all represented by a famous historical figures from one of those disciplines. Additionally each of those disciplines would be represented by each suits symbol, artist as spades, musicians as diamonds, scientists as clubs, and writers as hearts.

Additionally each ace card would be represented by an illuminated suit symbol. I chose a light bulb as that symbol. The light bulb representing that at the base of every creation is a great idea, great minds and great ideas.

ROLES

Illustration

Package Design

ROLES

Illustration

Package Design

TOOLS USED

Illustrator

Photoshop

TOOLS USED

Illustrator

Photoshop

GOALS

I wanted the decks’ design to be cohesive. I also wanted it to be detailed enough that you would know who each figure was but not so detailed that the illustration was lost when the image was shrunk down to playing cards size.

I also wanted to establish a color scheme that took inspiration form the black and red of classic decks but was unique to my deck. Additionally I wanted to design a slip case for the deck.

GOALS

I wanted the decks’ design to be cohesive. I also wanted it to be detailed enough that you would know who each figure was but not so detailed that the illustration was lost when the image was shrunk down to playing cards size.

I also wanted to establish a color scheme that took inspiration form the black and red of classic decks but was unique to my deck. Additionally I wanted to design packaging or slip case for the deck.

PROCESS

TIME FRAME: 28 WEEKS

My first step was to establish my cast of characters. I wanted to make sure and get a diverse range from many different eras. I tired to choose influential but also visually recognizable figures. After deciding the line up I set about finding resource images.

One of the major first steps was to settle on a solid illustration style. I played with some hand done painterly styles that were fun and expressive but ultimately had too much detail. I settled on a simpler iconic vector based style with a simple color palette which read much better when scaled down to the size of a playing card.

The bulk of the project was lots and lots of illustration. Using the collected resource images as a starting point I would start with the outline of the face, working out the shape in Illustrator. Then I would work on the eyes, mouth, and the dark shadows under the nose. Dropping down a layer I would block out the shadows and contours of the face. Then adding the highlights as a big fill in a layer below that.

I would repeat the process for the hair and then the outfit for each face card. After trying a couple of different layouts with banners and open space I settled on a layout with a cutout design that uses white space as a frame. Within the window each figure also has a sunburst pattern behind it to add some depth and decorative flair.

After finishing the first two sets of the face cards I set to work designing the illuminated ace cards. Using the same process I designed a light bulb icon. Using the outline of each of suit symbol as a frame I set the light bulb in it with a sunburst behind it similar to the face cards.

After finishing the next two suits I started on the jokers and card backs. Playing on the light bulb motif I designed a broken bulb, which seemed fitting for a the joker. The card backs are an illuminated and highly decorated take on the light bulb motif as well.

Early sketches & final vector style.

Suit Cards.

Number Cards.

Tuck case.