Celebrate! A new deck coming in 2013

[RSLancastr]

I understand completely what you're going for.

Phew!

Definitely glad you see that the indices can be used as part of the design.

I'm definitely glad that you made me see it - thanks!

If keeping the entire image is important, perhaps add a border of some kind (that could also include the indices). It could even be an actual picture frame. The old wooden kind with lots of intricate scrollwork that you could incorporate (I know I use that word a lot) into the corners. That would create a cohesive design element for every image you put on your cards.

As I think I said in this thread's opening post, I intend to include, as part of the frame, the name of the holiday/event depicted in the card, along with the name(s) of the country or countries where that holiday is primarily observed/celebrated. This would be part of a holiday-themed border, the format of which would be common to all cards in the deck. The ornate, carved frame is an interesting idea, but I was envisioning one more in keeping with the theme. Perhaps one made from ribbon you might find sold in a greeting card store. I will definitely be perusing the merchandise at a Hallmark's store and a Party World store for ideas/inspiration in this and other aspects of the deck.

And I agree. It's better to see an entire deck to get a good sense of its theme.
But in this case I was just talking about the design style of the card you posted.

Understood. I hope that as the weeks go by, and I post more and more cards from the "Celebrate!" deck, my concept/vision for it will become clearer.

Thanks again for your input! Multiple sets of eyes on a project always helps...

[RSLancastr]

Well, in those San Francisco Sketch Cards, the images end where they need to at the border (as yours do). But what saves them for me is the corner indices are also hand drawn, and they bleed over both the image and border. Kinda ties everything together "thematically" and makes it work... at least for me.

Giving this some more thought, I think I finally understand what you mean by the above:

The fact that the indices are hand-drawn (as is the body/scene of the card itself), ties the indices in with the card "thematically" in your eyes.

I did not understand that at first because I don't think of "hand-=drawn" to be part of the deck's theme, just the medium used.

But if I am understanding you correctly, then the indices on my Three of Clubs ARE tied in with the body/scene of the card in much the same way!

Although difficult to see in the pic I provided, bothe the numeral and pip in the card's indices are created using the same medium (three-dimensional, photorealistic graphics) as is the body/scene of the card. The Numeral (3) is drawn using shiny black cylinders/tubes rather than flat black lines. And the Pip (club) is three-dimensional as well, with the three round ends of the club made from shiny black hubcap-shapes rather than flat black circles, etc.

All of the cards' indices use the photorealistic graphics. For example, the Diamond pips have a "faceted" look.

While I did this to the indices in order to take advantage of the medium I was using, I think it also sertves the same purpose that you see in the SF Sketch cards' indices. I am going to look to see if I have any larger pics of any of that deck's cards to better show you what I am nattering on about here.

[RSLancastr]

Okay, here is a larger image from my "Transformation 2000" deck, where the nature of the indices can be more clearly seen:

==========[ Two of Diamonds: ]==========

[RSLancastr]

Well, I'm working on the card for next Monday.

Slow going so far. It has been nearly ten years since I used POV-Ray, and I'm going through a learning curve again. But I am determined to have a card ready for next Monday - Stay tuned!

[elcyciB]

Hey RS,

Just wanted to say I really enjoy the concept of transformation decks and will be following your progress as your deck unfolds.

GOOD LUCK!

[RSLancastr]

Thanks, elcyciB! (How is that pronounced, by the way?)

[RSLancastr]

Well, I'm jumping ahead of the game here, but I got in contact with USPC to talk about their eventual printing of my "Celebrate!" deck.

They sent me what I assume are their standard quote forms and such.

Now it's just a small matter of designing all 58 cards and raising the money to print them.

Okay, back now to working on the card I will show here on Monday.

I sure hope I'm not buidling this up too much and the design will not live up to the build-up...

-RSL

[Russell]

58 cards? Do you mean 56? USPCC won't print 58.

[RSLancastr]

58 cards? Do you mean 56? USPCC won't print 58.

You are, of course, correct. 52 + 2 jokers + 2 ad/promo cards = 56.

I was almost sure I had seen the number 58 in their emails, but reviewing them just now, it turns out that my poor eyesight was making an 8 out of a 6. I blame the font.

[Strag]

Well, I'm working on the card for next Monday.

Slow going so far. It has been nearly ten years since I used POV-Ray, and I'm going through a learning curve again. But I am determined to have a card ready for next Monday - Stay tuned!

Keep it up Bob!

[RSLancastr]

Will do, Strag - Thanks!

[RSLancastr]

Well folks, I am having difficulty with the very first card in my design, largely due to my having been away from POV-Ray (the program I am using to design and create the deck) for so long.

At this point, I am not even sure I will have that first card to show you when I prOmised I would, which is tomorrow (Monday).

I will do my best to have at least a preliminary version of it to show you, and will rework it as my POV-Ray skills rebuild.

Sorry for all the drama,

-RSL

[badpete69]

Drama? what's this thread? Ohh you are making a deck? I had not noticed...


On a serious note take your time buddy no rush

[RSLancastr]

I appreciate that Pete - Thanks!

[volantangel]

Chill man, no ones your boss here

everyone knows its a herculean task designing a deck from scratch, especially a transformation deck, where every card requires a new idea, so take your time on this, everyone loves a well-designed deck. no point killing yourself over your own deadlines

[RSLancastr]

Chill man, no ones your boss here

No, she's fixing me lunch right now.

everyone knows its a herculean task designing a deck from scratch, especially a transformation deck, where every card requires a new idea, so take your time on this, everyone loves a well-designed deck. no point killing yourself over your own deadlines

Thanks, volantangel.

I just don't want to be setting a bad precedent for the next card, and the next...

[RSLancastr]

The good news is that I ordered a book that should be a great help to me in getting back up-to-speed on POV-Ray.

The less-good news is that it will not get here until January 3 or so, so it will still be a while before I can use it to complete my first card.

Cross your fingers,

-RSL

[RSLancastr]

I finally got the book on POV-Ray that I ordered.

Not in time to get this Monday (tomorrow, Jan 14th)'s card done, but I hope to get one out the following Monday (Jan 21st).

I will have to play "catch-up" in order to get the deck totally designed by the end of 2013, but I remain (cautiously) optimistic...