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Re: UC Featured Artist for August and September - Lotrek

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 8:41 am
by Lotrek
Lotrek wrote:
RandCo wrote:This is a question for developing card designers. In your opinion, what rules can and can't be broken when designing the court cards? What should designers be considering most when designing court cards?
I really cannot say what one SHOULD do. I can only say what I do or don't. So, about rules: My principle is that I never forget that the cards are for playing, even if many collectors never open their decks. People should be able to quickly see and understand the indices etc. No very small or very extravagant indices or pips. Do whatever you want, just let me know what this damn card is. Is it a Joker or an Ace of Spades?

In general I believe that rules are there to be broken but not completely demolished. Demolition is too easy.

P.S.: Oh, I forgot my Golden rule: No more Cthulhu decks! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: UC Featured Artist for August and September - Lotrek

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 5:24 pm
by Jock1971
Hiya Lotrek.
I have received my Grotesque cards over the weekend and would like to say they are fantastic , i know you were a bit bummed about the delays but The cards were well worth the wait.
Lotrek wrote:@Jock1971:
The style of your Butterfly deck reminds me of the artist Alphonse Mucha, Who`s works i admire.Is this Style one you would like to explore more ?

- Absolutely. In fact I'm planning to do a deck which will be as if Alphonse Mucha had done a playing card deck. My ambition is to make it look like exactly as a posthumous Mucha work. :-)
Wow...i wasn`t expecting that. That is excellent news.

Would you consider doing a double deck of cards in the one pack (like the Piatnik double sets) As most card projects are likely to do a standard version and a Limited version, with the only difference being the colour of the backs i don`t know why they just don`t put them all in the same tuck? maybe something to consider.

Speaking of tuck boxes, what is your opinion of the latest Tuck designs. Can a tuck with just beautiful artwork alone make it in todays market(where most collectors don`t even open their packs) or do you think you need to bling the tuck out to the max ? What is your thoughts on Side opening tucks and cigarette style opening tucks ?

And a last question...Have you thought about doing a Transformation deck :lol:
-jase-

Re: UC Featured Artist for August and September - Lotrek

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 9:25 am
by Lotrek
I guess they don't put both versions in the same tuck because one of the two is usually limited in number, so where they'll put the rest decks of the other edition?

As for the tuck cases, I like them all! Each one is (or gives the possibilities) for different design. Generally I believe that there is nothing that can stand by itself. A fancy opening is nothing without good artwork.

Re: UC Featured Artist for August and September - Lotrek

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 10:51 am
by Godzillian
Love your work Lotrek. Don't know how I feel about Dark Venexiana in CardLauncher instead of KS, but best wishes for your campaign there.

(1) Will you ever work with EPCC?

(2) Will you ever design & release a "staple" deck?

(3) Any collaborations with any artists coming up?

(4) Have you ever thought about doing a semi-standard deck for local shops around in Venice? By semi-standard, I mean custom back, custom Ace & Jokers, but standard index and face cards. Why/why not?

Re: UC Featured Artist for August and September - Lotrek

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 11:57 am
by Lotrek
Thanks Godzillian,

Okay. Answers:

1) EPCC: Venexiana Dark will be printed with EPCC.

2) Staple deck: Definitely YES and I can say, pretty soon! I'm working on it. Okay, not right now but you will see some stuff soon.

3) No, not yet.

4) No, Venice has a too rich background to limit myself in just custom back and aces. And I think after Dark Venexiana I'm done with the theme. Time to move on. ;-)

Re: UC Featured Artist for August and September - Lotrek

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 1:42 pm
by Godzillian
Lotrek wrote:Thanks Godzillian,

Okay. Answers:

1) EPCC: Venexiana Dark will be printed with EPCC.
Wow I really can't read/research. I haven't been following up with Venexiana Dark but I'm disappointed I didn't check first :\

Thanks for answering Lotrek :) Looking forward to that staple deck! Any hints on the theme / crowd-funding platform?

Re: UC Featured Artist for August and September - Lotrek

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 2:19 pm
by Mike Ratledge
Godzillian wrote:
Lotrek wrote:Thanks Godzillian,

Okay. Answers:

1) EPCC: Venexiana Dark will be printed with EPCC.
Wow I really can't read/research. I haven't been following up with Venexiana Dark but I'm disappointed I didn't check first :\

Thanks for answering Lotrek :) Looking forward to that staple deck! Any hints on the theme / crowd-funding platform?
*smh* - it's on CardLauncher right now, buddy. It's about 43% funded after the first week. I think 25 days to go?

Re: UC Featured Artist for August and September - Lotrek

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2015 1:43 pm
by Collector
Lotrek, congrats.

Re: UC Featured Artist for August and September - Lotrek

Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2017 8:03 am
by EndersGame
I realize this is an older thread, but there are only three threads in the "UC Featured Deck Artist/Designer" sub-forum, this being one of them. I only just came across this now, and really enjoyed reading Lotrek's answers to the questions he was asked. It's always helpful to get some insights into the background of a designer, and learn about the different factors that have influenced his designs and his journey, especially since Lotrek comes from a non-playing card background.

I recently did a series of articles covering Lotrek's major designs, and this thread ties in nicely with that. Since his first designs (Timeless in 2011 & Butterfly in 2012), Lotrek's style has really evolved and progressed in a different direction from how he started. Especially his more recent "Treasure series" (which began in 2016 with Icons and Liturgy) shows a real passion for Byzantine art, creative and intensive use of foil, plus innovative and luxurious packaging. These are definitely `high end' playing cards! This culminated recently when at this year's Diamond Awards from 52 Plus Joker Lotrek won "Deck of the Year 2017" for his Golden Oath deck - congratulations Lotrek!

People interested in seeing more about Lotrek's decks may want to check out the two pictorial articles I recently posted, in which I covered all of his major designs:

Playing cards to treasure from Lotrek (Part 1): Timeless, Butterfly, VeneXiana, and Grotesque
Playing cards to treasure from Lotrek (Part 2): Icons, Liturgy, Golden Oath, Sanctus, and Ambassadors

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