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Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 1:04 pm
by davegk
JuFiN wrote:Would it be possible to add white I to the card back as you have for the tuck box image? I think it looks better than just gold on black.
Thanks for the suggestion! I had actually been considering this already and I think we will probably do it since there seems to be unanimous interest so far.

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 5:01 am
by serubi
This is such a cool idea! I'm completely hooked. Also a smart idea with a collection that makes a planet when it's complete. That'll definitely make people want them all :P

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 11:22 am
by davegk
Hey guys,

Quick update...just wanted to post the new version of the ace of spades...
ace-update.jpg

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 11:31 am
by montecarlojoe
You probably don't want multiple AoS but it'd be cool if the sun got smaller the further away the planet is...

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2017 11:46 am
by davegk
montecarlojoe wrote:You probably don't want multiple AoS but it'd be cool if the sun got smaller the further away the planet is...
Hmm...that's an interesting idea to consider—thanks!

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 11:24 am
by davegk
Hey all,

We're getting close to finalizing the designs. Here's a quick poll for you...we've been working on the back design a bit to try to incorporate a black background but also have white borders. Below are 4 options Srdjan created. Please let me know which one you like best.

Also we have a couple additional surprises that will be revealed when the project launches.

Thanks!
-David
backs-4options.jpg
backs-4options-spread.jpg

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 2:01 pm
by MagikFingerz
Of the 4 options I would have to vote for number 1.

HOWEVER, I feel like there's a missed opportunity here. What I would like to see is the gold swirls of the outer design to extend slightly over the white borders, like the already do a bit on the long edge, but all the way around. This would be complemented by either A: removing the outer frame of the back design altogether, or still having it in the background but white (like in option 2).

Let me know if that doesn't make sense, and I can try to illustrate.

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 6:43 pm
by shermjack
I agree that 1 is the best of the 4, but would be interested in seeing Tom's suggestion if possible :D

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 8:59 pm
by shaitani
I may be alone on this, but I actually like #4 the most, followed by #2.

#1 is the safest because every deck does it that way and it looks fine. But I like #4 because it creates two levels of border in a way we don't really see very often, and I thought it was cool and fitting. #2 I preferred because it did as MagikFingerz was describing, it kind of allows some more of the design to creep outside of the border (or at least it simulates it).

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 3:08 am
by TGunitedcardists
None of above. The hat on the inner diamond is exactly the same making the back one way. In addition, the planet in the middle makes it one way.

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 11:03 am
by davegk
Thanks for the feedback!

@MagikFingerz: I appreciate the suggestions but I'm very happy with the current design and don't want to go down the path of reworking the entire frame (and also redesigning the back of the tuckbox)—just deciding on coloring fills at the moment.

@TGunitedcardists: Good catch on the mirrored UFO...will make sure this gets adjusted. As for the planet being one way, I've been aware of this from the beginning and made the decision to proceed with a one way back design.

Before I posted the images, I was definitely leaning towards either #1 or #4 and after some thought (and in the interest of Vanda's pursuit to produce unique creations that stand out from other decks), I think we'll be going with #4. @shaitani: I agree that #1 is the safe choice...it is most in alignment with many other decks out there already, and that's part of my decision to go in a different direction.

Stay tuned for more updates! The last piece of the design is the pip symbols, which I'll be working on soon. I'll be sharing images of those when they're ready.

-David

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:00 pm
by MagikFingerz
Well, it's your choice, David.

For me, that lessens my interest in this series quite a bit; option 4 was the one I liked the least. Oh well.

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 10:00 am
by RichK
I know I'm late to the vote but I like MagikFingerz idea of removing the "light tan" parts on #2 to show more dark curves, if that's how I read his idea.

#4 makes the dark area look too small to me, almost like you have a massive white border. I know you've chosen #4 and hopefully it's just this color scheme for Mercury that makes it look like a big white border and the other planets will have a darker looking color.

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 12:38 pm
by shaitani
Why not the best of both worlds? ie go #4 and get the outside border to be black. That way it doesn't look like a big white border, and it actually frames it in another layer that I personally think looks even better.

Forgive the blasphemy of editing an artists work, I just 5 second photoshopped this just to get my idea across:

Image

If this photo-edit is inappropriate, please let me know, I'll remove it and just try to describe it with words.

Anyway, I'm curious to people's thoughts on this, I don't think I've seen this type of design anywhere either and it shooould address what people didn't like about #4.

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 12:40 pm
by JuFiN
shaitani wrote:Why not the best of both worlds? ie go #4 and get the outside border to be black. That way it doesn't look like a big white border, and it actually frames it in another layer that I personally think looks even better.

Forgive the blasphemy of editing an artists work, I just 5 second photoshopped this just to get my idea across:

Image

If this photo-edit is inappropriate, please let me know, I'll remove it and just try to describe it with words.

Anyway, I'm curious to people's thoughts on this, I don't think I've seen this type of design anywhere either and it shooould address what people didn't like about #4.
This looks fantastic! Use this :drool:

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 4:36 pm
by shermjack
shaitani wrote:Why not the best of both worlds? ie go #4 and get the outside border to be black. That way it doesn't look like a big white border, and it actually frames it in another layer that I personally think looks even better.

Forgive the blasphemy of editing an artists work, I just 5 second photoshopped this just to get my idea across:

Image

If this photo-edit is inappropriate, please let me know, I'll remove it and just try to describe it with words.

Anyway, I'm curious to people's thoughts on this, I don't think I've seen this type of design anywhere either and it shooould address what people didn't like about #4.
Nice job, Shaitani! +1 for his suggested back :D

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2017 5:27 pm
by MagikFingerz
That does look pretty darn good. Nice one, shaitani!

I would suggest having the top/bottom half-circles tweaked in some way, but that probably goes without saying.

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 10:42 am
by flashcards
I hate to try and force something on a creator but this is by far the best version of the back.

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 10:55 am
by RichK
shaitani wrote:Why not the best of both worlds? ie go #4 and get the outside border to be black. That way it doesn't look like a big white border, and it actually frames it in another layer that I personally think looks even better.

Forgive the blasphemy of editing an artists work, I just 5 second photoshopped this just to get my idea across:

Image

If this photo-edit is inappropriate, please let me know, I'll remove it and just try to describe it with words.

Anyway, I'm curious to people's thoughts on this, I don't think I've seen this type of design anywhere either and it shooould address what people didn't like about #4.
Nice work!

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2017 2:04 am
by davegk
@shaitani: thank you for your suggestion and mockup.

And thanks to everyone else for your feedback. I've spent some time agonizing over the decision of the back design and I even mocked up a cleaner version of what shaitani proposed (see image below). While I know that you guys have expressed enthusiasm for that design, I've decided to stick to my previous decision and go with #4 from the voting image. I realize you may be a bit disappointed by my choice, but Srdjan and I both feel that this is the strongest option from a design/aesthetic standpoint and I urge you to keep an open mind. I promise the design will grow on you, as did the original Vanda back design which initially met opposition. I've attached a couple mockups that will help give you a better idea of what this will actually look like.

More to come soon...

-David
back-2options.jpg
3dmock-backdesign.jpg
3dmock-back+box.jpg

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 10:45 am
by RichK
David,

Your deck mock ups make the back design look better. Will the tuck back be gold and not the brown of the card?

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2017 10:54 am
by davegk
RichK wrote:David,

Your deck mock ups make the back design look better. Will the tuck back be gold and not the brown of the card?

Thanks, RichK! Srdjan created all the renderings/mockups and I think they look pretty amazing so thanks to him for the gorgeous artwork!

The tuck will be embossed black paper stock with white ink and metallic foil artwork. Haven't finalized the color of foil yet but I'm hoping we will use a different color for each deck in the series...I have to get more details from the printer on what is available.

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2017 7:35 am
by cartamundicards
looks great! love the way all the decks together make for a new image!

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2017 3:41 pm
by Frosty
This is an awesome idea! I've been interested in space exploration since I was a kid, so this deck is awesome! I'm really excited about the whole series!

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 7:03 pm
by davegk
Thanks cartamundicards and Frosty!

So, I'm working on final touches for the deck now and trying to finalize the pip designs and font for the index values. I've got 2 options for each and curious to know what y'all think...

1. Do you prefer the font in top row or bottom row?
2. Do you prefer the stars inside pips to be white (top row) or orange (bottom row)?

Thanks!
indexes.jpg

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 7:31 pm
by JuFiN
1. Bottom Font. (top font seems too long and rigid).
2. Top color (The orange is hard to distinguish within the red hearts).

Also want to note that I really like the change in the pip shape from previous iterations posted in this thread, big improvement for me.

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 10:01 pm
by shaitani
JuFiN wrote:1. Bottom Font. (top font seems too long and rigid).
2. Top color (The orange is hard to distinguish within the red hearts).

Also want to note that I really like the change in the pip shape from previous iterations posted in this thread, big improvement for me.
+1

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2017 12:54 am
by rousselle
shaitani wrote:
JuFiN wrote:1. Bottom Font. (top font seems too long and rigid).
2. Top color (The orange is hard to distinguish within the red hearts).

Also want to note that I really like the change in the pip shape from previous iterations posted in this thread, big improvement for me.
+1
+1

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:29 am
by MagikFingerz
JuFiN wrote:1. Bottom Font. (top font seems too long and rigid).
2. Top color (The orange is hard to distinguish within the red hearts).

Also want to note that I really like the change in the pip shape from previous iterations posted in this thread, big improvement for me.
+1 from me as well, but I do like how the orange inside the black pips look. Can you not have orange/black and white/red?

Re: The Planets — Vanda Artists Series

Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:40 am
by TGunitedcardists
rousselle wrote:
shaitani wrote:
JuFiN wrote:1. Bottom Font. (top font seems too long and rigid).
2. Top color (The orange is hard to distinguish within the red hearts).

Also want to note that I really like the change in the pip shape from previous iterations posted in this thread, big improvement for me.
+1
+1
Exactly. +1