The Dictators - Initial design work

Designing a deck? Need input? Show us here!
MKWB
Member
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:31 am
Has thanked: 8 times

The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by MKWB »

Hey all!

My name is Matt and im working on a deck in collaboration with Will (artist). We’re making a deck with the theme of ‘Dictators’. General symbology and themes for the cards relating to the dictators and their political systems are being considered and used. We’ll also be grouping reds (communists etc) with the diamonds and hearts, and others with the spades and clubs.

I’ve attached some samples of the court cards (including Saddam, Khomeini, Gaddafi), the Ace of spades (based on Saddam’s Fedayeen fighters), the numbered cards (with different font samples), the pips (hammer and sickle, imperial eagle, shahada, red star) and also some variations of the back cards. We’re hoping to make a light/propaganda deck and dark/menacing deck as a variation also. Jokers will be Vlad the Impaler and Ivan the Terrible.

Happy to get some feedback on what all you guys/girls think so far? Is the sizing of each element ok? Is the chosen colour and design (with paint splashes etc) appealing? What can be improved (maybe include borders) etc?

Thanks :)
Attachments
Courts.jpg
Pips.jpg
Numbers and Ace.jpg
Backs Simple.jpg
User avatar
Bruno
Member
Member
Posts: 884
Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:54 pm
Collector: Yes
Decks Owned: 0
Has thanked: 532 times
Been thanked: 199 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by Bruno »

Jokers could profitably be G Bush Jnr and Donald Trump, don't you think ?
O, I beg of you your comprehensions,
yet laugh at your contempts ....
my only competition is with myselves.

But Lèse-majesté, especially >Normans, natch.

Is jarnstill the Ars of the Hors Nebulous ?
Neigh .... the Effluxor of the Omniverse ??
MKWB
Member
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:31 am
Has thanked: 8 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work (wap)

Unread post by MKWB »

Hey Bruno,
Thats a good point you have made. It'll be good to get some more votes on that from the forum members too. Personally i was preferring the more historic 'legendary' figures for the jokers but can always change. Matt
User avatar
Bruno
Member
Member
Posts: 884
Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:54 pm
Collector: Yes
Decks Owned: 0
Has thanked: 532 times
Been thanked: 199 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by Bruno »

Good O, Matt, I like your back, could you ramp it up into a real good lifelike fist ? The present one is good, but only 'represents' the umm, 'sentiment' .... if you will.
O, I beg of you your comprehensions,
yet laugh at your contempts ....
my only competition is with myselves.

But Lèse-majesté, especially >Normans, natch.

Is jarnstill the Ars of the Hors Nebulous ?
Neigh .... the Effluxor of the Omniverse ??
MKWB
Member
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:31 am
Has thanked: 8 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by MKWB »

Will do Bruno. We'll have a look at doing that in the next revision and may post here. Thanks for your feedback! Matt
User avatar
TGunitedcardists
Member
Member
Posts: 591
Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 5:57 am
Been thanked: 147 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by TGunitedcardists »

The font you've chosen is a poor choice. It's hard to read and does nothing for the design.

I suggest not making all the court cards face the same way. Hopefully it will mimic a deck of cards with some cards with one eye Jacks and cards facing the opposite direction.
MKWB
Member
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:31 am
Has thanked: 8 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work (wap)

Unread post by MKWB »

@TGunitedcardists ... Thankyou for your feedback. Font will be adapted, and yes the court cards will end up being altered to reflect the face directions in the traditional deck. Matt
MKWB
Member
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:31 am
Has thanked: 8 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by MKWB »

TGunitedcardists wrote:The font you've chosen is a poor choice. It's hard to read and does nothing for the design.

I suggest not making all the court cards face the same way. Hopefully it will mimic a deck of cards with some cards with one eye Jacks and cards facing the opposite direction.
Just a clarification on font. Do you mean the font of the numbers or font of the J/Q/K... Or both?
User avatar
TGunitedcardists
Member
Member
Posts: 591
Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 5:57 am
Been thanked: 147 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by TGunitedcardists »

Both!
User avatar
RichK
Member
Member
Posts: 1797
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 12:06 pm
Collector: Yes
Decks Owned: 250
Has thanked: 791 times
Been thanked: 447 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by RichK »

Why aren't you use your custom pips on all of the number cards vs. just the corners?

To me it looks like the spade J/Q/K were all shot. Notice the red and black splotches? Is that intentional?

I'm not a fan of the yellow dots around the courts either. I don't know if you can put their names so we know who they are.

Thanks.
Move on, nothing to see here.
MKWB
Member
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:31 am
Has thanked: 8 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by MKWB »

RichK wrote:Why aren't you use your custom pips on all of the number cards vs. just the corners?

To me it looks like the spade J/Q/K were all shot. Notice the red and black splotches? Is that intentional?

I'm not a fan of the yellow dots around the courts either. I don't know if you can put their names so we know who they are.

Thanks.
Hi RichK,

Thanks for the feedback.

1. Do you think it would look too busy if all the numbered cards used all custom pips and no standard pips? Or perhaps I can swap the design around, and have the pips under the numbers as 'standard' pips and the pips in the centre of the card as custom?

2. Yeh I thought it would be a nice change to the clean lines/edge style of design to have a 'paint splash' effect. It's not intentional to have them look 'shot'. Happy to revise if it looks odd.

3. We'll upload a v2/3 of the courts a bit later ... one without the yellow dots, and a second variation with a different design to the yellow dots. Names will all be added to the court cards

Thanks again,

Matt
User avatar
RichK
Member
Member
Posts: 1797
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 12:06 pm
Collector: Yes
Decks Owned: 250
Has thanked: 791 times
Been thanked: 447 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by RichK »

MKWB wrote: Hi RichK,

Thanks for the feedback.

1. Do you think it would look too busy if all the numbered cards used all custom pips and no standard pips? Or perhaps I can swap the design around, and have the pips under the numbers as 'standard' pips and the pips in the centre of the card as custom?

2. Yeh I thought it would be a nice change to the clean lines/edge style of design to have a 'paint splash' effect. It's not intentional to have them look 'shot'. Happy to revise if it looks odd.

3. We'll upload a v2/3 of the courts a bit later ... one without the yellow dots, and a second variation with a different design to the yellow dots. Names will all be added to the court cards

Thanks again,

Matt
Hi Matt,

1. I think standard pips under the numbers and custom in center looks better and shows them off. Why make custom pips only for the corners? How about a mock up?

2. I understand your desire to change the clean line/edge look. Maybe don't use colors that match the black and "dark red"?

3. Looking forward to no dots and variation on dot design. Thanks for name clarification too.

Rich
Move on, nothing to see here.
MKWB
Member
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:31 am
Has thanked: 8 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by MKWB »

Hi All,

Here's another round of changes.

Changes include:
1. Custom pips now made into the central pips on the numbered cards. Font changed and standardised between cards.
2. Fist on the card backing made more lifelike (colour can change)
3. Court cards all complete and in the proper directions, including one-eyed characters and suicide king (stalin with flag across head). Signatures on court cards can be changes from white (with black shading) to a single-colour signature. Font changed and standardised between cards.
4. Variation of court card (gaddafi) with glowing background colour instead of previous designs (yellow dot background or white background).

Let us know what you guys think! Your input has so far been highly valued.

Matt
Bruno wrote:Good O, Matt, I like your back, could you ramp it up into a real good lifelike fist ? The present one is good, but only 'represents' the umm, 'sentiment' .... if you will.
TGunitedcardists wrote:The font you've chosen is a poor choice. It's hard to read and does nothing for the design.

I suggest not making all the court cards face the same way. Hopefully it will mimic a deck of cards with some cards with one eye Jacks and cards facing the opposite direction.
RichK wrote:Why aren't you use your custom pips on all of the number cards vs. just the corners?

To me it looks like the spade J/Q/K were all shot. Notice the red and black splotches? Is that intentional?

I'm not a fan of the yellow dots around the courts either. I don't know if you can put their names so we know who they are.

Thanks.
Attachments
face card lineup.jpg
pjimage.jpg
gold-white-backing new.jpg
Gadaffi 4.jpg
User avatar
MagikFingerz
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 7778
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:32 pm
Cardist: Yes
Collector: Yes
Player: Yes
Magician: Yes
White Whale: Sawdust and Delicious + uncuts
Location: Norway
Has thanked: 1763 times
Been thanked: 1508 times
Contact:

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by MagikFingerz »

Shouldn't Sacha Baron Cohen be on a Joker? :mrgreen:
- Tom

Check out my collection

My (abandoned and now severely outdated) Playing Card Wiki
MKWB
Member
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:31 am
Has thanked: 8 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by MKWB »

MagikFingerz wrote:Shouldn't Sacha Baron Cohen be on a Joker? :mrgreen:
Haha General Aladeen that pesky Wadiyan :mrgreen:
User avatar
RichK
Member
Member
Posts: 1797
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 12:06 pm
Collector: Yes
Decks Owned: 250
Has thanked: 791 times
Been thanked: 447 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by RichK »

Like the custom pips on number cards. The name by dictator nice too. Better than alternate gaddafi card.

Looks like your hearts and diamond court pictures are smaller than the club/spade pictures. Can you increase the size?

Need some other color than yellow for back in my opinion. It's not very "dictator-y" if you know what I mean.

Nice changes!
Move on, nothing to see here.
MKWB
Member
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:31 am
Has thanked: 8 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by MKWB »

Thanks RichK... Your advice is very much appreciated.

Here's also a new draft of the 4 aces for all to review.

Thanks, Matt
Attachments
aces.jpg
User avatar
RichK
Member
Member
Posts: 1797
Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 12:06 pm
Collector: Yes
Decks Owned: 250
Has thanked: 791 times
Been thanked: 447 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by RichK »

Great Aces!
Move on, nothing to see here.
User avatar
Bruno
Member
Member
Posts: 884
Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:54 pm
Collector: Yes
Decks Owned: 0
Has thanked: 532 times
Been thanked: 199 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by Bruno »

And the Fist, maybe down a tad, then expand ?
Focus more on that good Fist ....
O, I beg of you your comprehensions,
yet laugh at your contempts ....
my only competition is with myselves.

But Lèse-majesté, especially >Normans, natch.

Is jarnstill the Ars of the Hors Nebulous ?
Neigh .... the Effluxor of the Omniverse ??
MKWB
Member
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:31 am
Has thanked: 8 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by MKWB »

Bruno wrote:And the Fist, maybe down a tad, then expand ?
Focus more on that good Fist ....
Thanks Bruno. What in particular do you mean by 'maybe down a tad'?
User avatar
shermjack
✔ VERIFIED Seller
✔ VERIFIED Seller
Posts: 1886
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2015 7:39 pm
Collector: Yes
Has thanked: 1624 times
Been thanked: 932 times
Contact:

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by shermjack »

MKWB wrote:
Bruno wrote:And the Fist, maybe down a tad, then expand ?
Focus more on that good Fist ....
Thanks Bruno. What in particular do you mean by 'maybe down a tad'?
I believe he means less forearm, more fist ;)
A deck a day helps keep the addiction at bay!

Check out my collection on Instagram @caratcasecreations
MKWB
Member
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 7:31 am
Has thanked: 8 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by MKWB »

shermjack wrote:
MKWB wrote:
Bruno wrote:And the Fist, maybe down a tad, then expand ?
Focus more on that good Fist ....
Thanks Bruno. What in particular do you mean by 'maybe down a tad'?
I believe he means less forearm, more fist ;)
Great thanks. Thought it could have also been 'tone it down a tad'. ie - Too fisty lol
User avatar
Bruno
Member
Member
Posts: 884
Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:54 pm
Collector: Yes
Decks Owned: 0
Has thanked: 532 times
Been thanked: 199 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by Bruno »

Yup, shermjack has it, zackerly ....
O, I beg of you your comprehensions,
yet laugh at your contempts ....
my only competition is with myselves.

But Lèse-majesté, especially >Normans, natch.

Is jarnstill the Ars of the Hors Nebulous ?
Neigh .... the Effluxor of the Omniverse ??
User avatar
montecarlojoe
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 2529
Joined: Mon Jun 24, 2013 7:10 am
Collector: Yes
Player: Yes
White Whale: Avant Guard UL Gr - No17 Crown
Decks Owned: 690
Location: Portsmouth, England
Has thanked: 253 times
Been thanked: 268 times
Contact:

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work (wap)

Unread post by montecarlojoe »

This was a bad day to click the "goto last post" button :o
User avatar
Bruno
Member
Member
Posts: 884
Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:54 pm
Collector: Yes
Decks Owned: 0
Has thanked: 532 times
Been thanked: 199 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by Bruno »

yeeowzers sorry ffolkes !
O, I beg of you your comprehensions,
yet laugh at your contempts ....
my only competition is with myselves.

But Lèse-majesté, especially >Normans, natch.

Is jarnstill the Ars of the Hors Nebulous ?
Neigh .... the Effluxor of the Omniverse ??
User avatar
TGunitedcardists
Member
Member
Posts: 591
Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 5:57 am
Been thanked: 147 times

Re: The Dictators - Initial design work

Unread post by TGunitedcardists »

Huge improvement overall.
Aces look fantastic.

Unfortunately, the back design doesn't do it for me. The whole concept with the first doesn't feel card like and isn't my cup of tea. I might just be in the minority. A back design with a pattern in the style of the Aces would be fantastic.

Overall, really nice job.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 44 guests