UnitedCardists.com - The forum for Cardistry, Magic, Custom Decks and All Things Playing Cards.

Here's the first finished Court Card for the Fabergé Deck - the Queen of Spades!

thanks, Randy

Very... different. At first glance, I didn't really like it, but the more I look at it, the more I like it! Lots of detail and I really like the pips.

i like it.

the suits and ranks seem wide/big?

I also like it more and more as I keep looking at it.

Though the indices seem unnecessarily big, fans won't look good.

Size adjustments aside I think these look wicked awesome. Great idea with the Russian eggs. New direction from anything I have seen. I hope you go forth and multiply these decks.

Thanks for the responses so far!

I figured the large corner items might cause a few criticisms. The other PIPS will have the rounded-corner, squatty look like the spade. I was going for a shiny enamel button feel, and like how they turned out. I went with the large Indices and PIPS in the corner to counteract the fact that the courts will not have the usual 4 PIPS found on most standard courts. When printed to scale they are actually smaller than the large PIPS on standard courts and number cards. I'll be going opposite with the number cards - large Indices and PIPS in the corners and small PIPS in the center. The smaller center PIPS won't have the diagonal 'etch' lines in the suit shapes. I think the line widths would be too small to print correctly with the smaller suits.

The Face Card fans may be less impressive with this look, but I'll make sure the Back Design will produce some badass fans!

Thanks, Randy

I Wasn't sure on these, but seeing the completed queen card I've got to say that I'm now definitely interested in this deck.

Thanks Modi!

Here's a look at the PIPs for the Fabergé Deck.

thanks, Randy

See, these you could sell as pins, and they'd look really sharp. I think you've done a nice job of hitting that enamelled look, they're really nice.

neongrey wrote:See, these you could sell as pins, and they'd look really sharp. I think you've done a nice job of hitting that enamelled look, they're really nice.

That's a great idea for an accessory!

Like the pips, although I am curious how the orange on the Heart and Diamond will look.

@neongrey - Enamel Pins could be a cool element.
I think the manufacturing would be pretty costly though.

Here's the first set of Number Cards. Flushes should be no problem to spot!

thanks, Randy

There's something about the orientation of those pips that bother me somewhat...

Could you make one where the rows of pips are alternating in direction, just to see? It might be better, but I won't know until I see it.

Like this (supposed to be hearts):

. . . V
. .A A
. .V V
A A
V V
A

If that makes any sense

Yeah, I have no idea as to the cost/feasibility of that, which is kind of a shame. Oh well, at least they look good enough to pass for it.

Looking good Randy! Can't wait to see more...

MagikFingerz wrote:There's something about the orientation of those pips that bother me somewhat...

Could you make one where the rows of pips are alternating in direction, just to see? It might be better, but I won't know until I see it.

Like this (supposed to be hearts):

. . . V
. .A A
. .V V
A A
V V
A

If that makes any sense

Hey MagikFingerz,

I thought I'd try out your idea. I went in thinking I would hate it, but thought the first one looked pretty good and then went ahead with all of the 10s for a new B version. I'll be focusing on the Back Card and other Courts next, so I'll have plenty of time to decide which orientation version to go with for the rest of the Number cards during that time. The original version has the Suits' orientation symmetrical from the Top and Bottom. The new B "Magik" version has the Suits' orientation as more of an organic symmetrical mix. I think the way some of the other finished Courts look will help decide which direction to go. Thanks for the input!! Either way, I see a freebie Deck or 2 coming your way in the future.

thanks, Randy

Happy to help

I still can't decide which one I like better though. Maybe just reversing what you did originally would work too (the top ones being the "right" way).

Hey randy,

Are the backgrounds of the cards going to be white? I think the way you did it with the ornates really made it stand out from the rest of the decks, perhaps you can also try your original pip placement but flipped so that all the pips on the top half of the cards are facing upwards, and the bottom half downwards, instead of downwards as per your original design, I know it's going to be plain and normal, but my brain hurts from trying to flip the pips lol

Edit- dang fingerz you beat me to the comment lol

Thanks guys! Flipping the Suits' vertical orientation on the original version will most likely be the way to go. That would give the Number Suits layout the same angle AND orientation as the Eggs on the Courts. I'll check it out tomorrow night and see how they look.

Yep, the Faberge Deck will be a white background Deck. I would hope the Eggs, PIPs, Back Design and other design elements would help it stand out. Part of the fun of doing custom Decks is to change it up with each one.

Plus, I spent most of tonight prepping the New ORNATE files for print!

Thanks, Randy

That's gre... wait, what?



"New ORNATE files"???

I see I see, cant wait to see the rest of the designs and of course the new ornates.

Not rushing ya, but whats the timeframe we are looking at for the new decks? New ornates before Faberge?

MagikFingerz wrote:That's gre... wait, what?



"New ORNATE files"???

Nice! That clip has to be from Friday!!

Well, I think we have a winner. The Suits look great with them right-side-up at the Top half.
I'll go with this direction for the future Number Cards. Thanks Magik and volantangel!

I've lightly hinted about the new ORNATES a couple times on Facebook and the Forums. I don't want to give the exact timeframe we're (HOPC) shooting for in case of USPCC delays. They should be out by the Spring though, at the latest! I'll have a contest on my Facebook page in a week or two to reveal the new Decks' names / colors.

http://www.facebook.com/midnightcards" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

thanks, Randy

Clearly the best of the layout options, you've hit upon the winner! I'm a bit concerned about the pip colors, are the meant to be that close together. I love 4 color decks, but seems like having the colors so close together will make it almost against the idea.

How about a nice green?

elcyciB wrote:How about a nice green?

It's funny you say that. The Eggs for the Diamond Courts will be Green and Brown/Copper. I wanted to make the Diamond suits in Brown to be a little different than the norm. I'll contemplate on changing the Diamond suits to Green. Once I get into those Eggs I'll see if going Green is the way to go!

Thanks, Randy

I think green would differ too much from the norm, making the whole deck seem too novelty-like. Maybe you could just tweak the colors of the hearts and diamonds to set them slightly more apart. Personally though, I have no trouble distinguishing them from each other.

MagikFingerz wrote:I think green would differ too much from the norm, making the whole deck seem too novelty-like. Maybe you could just tweak the colors of the hearts and diamonds to set them slightly more apart. Personally though, I have no trouble distinguishing them from each other.

I'll figure the Diamond's color once I get into those Court Eggs. For now, here's the Back Design!

thanks, Randy

RandyButterfield wrote:

MagikFingerz wrote:I think green would differ too much from the norm, making the whole deck seem too novelty-like. Maybe you could just tweak the colors of the hearts and diamonds to set them slightly more apart. Personally though, I have no trouble distinguishing them from each other.

I'll figure the Diamond's color once I get into those Court Eggs. For now, here's the Back Design!

thanks, Randy

Looking good randy!! I think a brilliant gaff would be cracking one of the eggs on the back design and having a card reveal, instead of a normal double backer. Hahah but I believe you would definitely have thought of it already lol.

The back design looks amazing, Randy! I really like the uniqueness of this deck.

Beautiful! Really looking forward to seeing how the rest unfolds.

Thanks for keeping us apprised as it moves forward