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

JuFiN wrote:Just wanna add that the new cartimundi card stock is amazing as well and deserves a spot on that list. Ravn purple and pike and clover (and the burger deck) are the three I own so far and they are all amazing handling wise.

I’m a big bicycle collector so uspcc will always be my favorite but cartimundi is gunna be keeping them honest I feel.

RandyButterfield wrote:Let me start of by saying, this has been a FUN read over the past week!!

Wanderer, you asked for professional designer opinions, so I'll add mine. Fist, I'll lay out my credentials, since that seems to be important for you. Over the past six years I've designed over 50 Decks, with themes that include Ancient Rome, Faberge Eggs, Dragons, Emoji and even Bowling (just Google "Midnight Cards"). That's my night hobby job. For my day job, I'm the Senior Designer for an Ad Agency that creates a lot of designs for the Spirits & Wine Industry (http://www.motivemktg.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). I've been with Motive for over 18 years now.

Now that that's taken care of, here's my opinion of the Wild West Decks. They're alright, similar in design quality to a cheap souvenir Deck. That's great, for around 99% of the world (as long as the price is very low). When you're catering to Kickstarter Backers, the quality needs to be a few steps above souvenir Decks. They won't pay for something that's just so so (some will, of course, but they're in the minority). The majority of regular Kickstarter Backers will always find the quality designs, and ignore the subpar designs. Especially now that the market is so saturated.

I believe that multiple variations of similar themes can coexist in the Kickstarter world. The quality designs will almost always be successful, even if the theme has been played out in the past. Just look at all of the Day of the Dead Decks that were released a few years ago. I think there were at least four or five different designs. Almost all of them did well. And then Steve Minty launches a very high-quality Day of the Dead design, and he ended up getting almost 3,000 Backers!

I'm going to come out and say it - I plan on designing a Wild West theme later this year. I look at everything out there to make sure I DON'T do something similar to anyone else's Wild West theme. I'll want mine to standout, as every designer should. My design will be less broad - it will focus on real people from the Black Hills area of the Wild West. It's personal for myself, because my dad's side of the family is directly related to Wild Bill Hickock.

I remember reading somewhere on here that TwoPieceFeed isn't a fan of my work. Does that bother me? Nope! Not in the slightest. I'm not going to change the way I work, just to try and win over one potential Backer. A Designer has to be confident in what they create, and most importantly, have a thick skin against criticism. Especially on United Cardists!!

Thanks, Randy


P.S. - Just a side question. Did you get Sharon Stone's permission to reference her likeness for the Queen of Spades? I ask because you directly show it in your video.

Wanderer wrote:

RandyButterfield wrote:Let me start of by saying, this has been a FUN read over the past week!!

Wanderer, you asked for professional designer opinions, so I'll add mine. Fist, I'll lay out my credentials, since that seems to be important for you. Over the past six years I've designed over 50 Decks, with themes that include Ancient Rome, Faberge Eggs, Dragons, Emoji and even Bowling (just Google "Midnight Cards"). That's my night hobby job. For my day job, I'm the Senior Designer for an Ad Agency that creates a lot of designs for the Spirits & Wine Industry (http://www.motivemktg.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.). I've been with Motive for over 18 years now.

Now that that's taken care of, here's my opinion of the Wild West Decks. They're alright, similar in design quality to a cheap souvenir Deck. That's great, for around 99% of the world (as long as the price is very low). When you're catering to Kickstarter Backers, the quality needs to be a few steps above souvenir Decks. They won't pay for something that's just so so (some will, of course, but they're in the minority). The majority of regular Kickstarter Backers will always find the quality designs, and ignore the subpar designs. Especially now that the market is so saturated.

I believe that multiple variations of similar themes can coexist in the Kickstarter world. The quality designs will almost always be successful, even if the theme has been played out in the past. Just look at all of the Day of the Dead Decks that were released a few years ago. I think there were at least four or five different designs. Almost all of them did well. And then Steve Minty launches a very high-quality Day of the Dead design, and he ended up getting almost 3,000 Backers!

I'm going to come out and say it - I plan on designing a Wild West theme later this year. I look at everything out there to make sure I DON'T do something similar to anyone else's Wild West theme. I'll want mine to standout, as every designer should. My design will be less broad - it will focus on real people from the Black Hills area of the Wild West. It's personal for myself, because my dad's side of the family is directly related to Wild Bill Hickock.

I remember reading somewhere on here that TwoPieceFeed isn't a fan of my work. Does that bother me? Nope! Not in the slightest. I'm not going to change the way I work, just to try and win over one potential Backer. A Designer has to be confident in what they create, and most importantly, have a thick skin against criticism. Especially on United Cardists!!

Thanks, Randy


P.S. - Just a side question. Did you get Sharon Stone's permission to reference her likeness for the Queen of Spades? I ask because you directly show it in your video.

Thank you for your attention to our topic! I really respect your work, they are wonderful. And you correctly noticed that the decks did not aspire to be ultra-modern. As you said, "deshovy design souvenir deck", and this is exactly so! It was the intention))) You, as a designer, should understand this step. In times of the Wild West there was no way to draw such decks as you draw. Therefore, our "deshovy design" actually has nothing to do with souvenirs))) When the time comes for the VIP deck, we'll show it))) He is ready and waiting for his time. Then let the supporters decide. You know perfectly well that it is unrealistic to evaluate the deck in accordance with the model. We need to take the package in hand. We can not show the reproduction of the color of the pantone in the picture. It's technically impossible, you know it. Therefore, some decks (including yours) look at models better than they really are. And vice versa. Now about Sharon Stone))) Our artists have made a generalized image of the inhabitants of the Wild West. As you can see, even the actors on them are similar))) And I consider it successful. I hope when you draw real heroes, you will get their consent))) Or will these be abstract paintings with names? Sincerely. By the way, I would not hurry with the words "deshovy design")))) "Design" is a complex combination of colors with the arrangement of elements. There is also a drawing technique. Your decks benefit from the successful combination of design elements in graphic programs ... I think that there may be professionals no less famous than you who do not like this style of work))) It is obvious to a specialist. But it is popular with the consumer. Sincerely.

TwoPieceFeed wrote: You're delusional. Randy's decks look better in-hand than they do as rendered images.

Actions speak louder than words. Launch the campaign already. It's the end of February now.

Wanderer wrote: "You're delusional. Randy's decks look better in-hand than they do as rendered images.

Actions speak louder than words. Launch the campaign already. It's the end of February now."

Really? I held these decks in my hands. You have a paranoia. I did not write that they are bad. They are superb, but in the presentation I liked them more. It's my opinion. How do you know that? You wrote that you did not have money to buy them?

TwoPieceFeed wrote:

Wanderer wrote: "You're delusional. Randy's decks look better in-hand than they do as rendered images.

Actions speak louder than words. Launch the campaign already. It's the end of February now."

Really? I held these decks in my hands. You have a paranoia. I did not write that they are bad. They are superb, but in the presentation I liked them more. It's my opinion. How do you know that? You wrote that you did not have money to buy them?

I'm not the only playing card collector in my area...

This is my last post on this thread. You're both offensive and defensive. I have nothing further to offer here.

RichK wrote:You shouldn't say the tuck will be embossed since it's a stretch goal. If you don't reach the stretch amount no embossing and unhappy backers.

Wanderer wrote:

RichK wrote:You shouldn't say the tuck will be embossed since it's a stretch goal. If you don't reach the stretch amount no embossing and unhappy backers.

What prevents us from making an embossing filling, even if we do not get financing? Backers will get the best product.

Smocito wrote:I think they mean that the decks will have embossing even if the stretch goal isn't reached.

Bradius wrote:I have no words in response. What you said speaks volumes about how you treat your customers.

Good luck with your campaign. I wish you all success and long life.

Smocito wrote:I think they mean that the decks will have embossing even if the stretch goal isn't reached.

RichK wrote:

Wanderer wrote:

RichK wrote:You shouldn't say the tuck will be embossed since it's a stretch goal. If you don't reach the stretch amount no embossing and unhappy backers.

What prevents us from making an embossing filling, even if we do not get financing? Backers will get the best product.

Because you are leading people to believe the tuck will be embossed from the beginning. No embossing is not the "best product".

Now you say the tuck will have "leather like feel" to start off with but it's another stretch goal! Backers aren't getting the "best product" if they don't scroll all the way to the bottom to see this. They'll assume it's a part of the campaign since you proclaim it to start with.

I'm done with this discussion. I was in total agreement with TwoPieceFeed and you just are too set in your ways to change or at least think about feedback given by others, especially Randy Butterield.