Animal Kingdom Cards
Custom Card Deck Design Illustrated by me!
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The idea was to create a deck of cards with a unique theme. Designing a deck of cards sounds as easy as copy-and-paste, but the challenge was to create a deck where no two cards are the same (52 unique cards). This deck includes 4 suits (symbolized by footprints), and features appropriate animals known for their roles in the Animal Kingdom (Lion = King, Elephant = Queen, etc.)
Inspiration for card designs
As seen above, my original inspiration was heavily influenced by symmetrically-designed face cards. I started with more geometric designs, but after trying the symmetrical idea, I decided that was what I wanted to do. Before I finally landed on the animal idea for good, I experimented with doing a weird idea where I mixed similar body parts together to create a design that was both symmetrical AND asymmetrical at the same time. After realizing the limitations of the theme, I decided to leave that idea behind too (I still enjoy the sketches that came out of it though). I initially wanted to go for the basic suit shapes, but with the animals popping in/out of the the 2D/3D space, it proved to be too difficult for the time allotted for this project.
Initial Sketches showcasing my original thoughts for theme ideas
Once I decided on the theme, the rest of the design process came naturally to me. I created a rough draft of the card designs for feedback from my peers, and I couldn't thank them enough for their helpful tips! Before the feedback, I wasn't sure exactly how I could get the elephant to be recognizable and symmetrical at the same time, and the Wolf was the only animal with an outline, which separated him from the rest of the animals visually. The number cards were intended to be marks left by the animals, the backs were simple, yet too complicated, and the font I used was too messy and didn't have any numbers available, reverting them to the nasty default placeholders.
Refined Sketches & First Draft of Card Designs
Once I decided on the theme, the rest of the design process came naturally to me. I created a rough draft of the card designs for feedback from my peers, and I couldn't thank them enough for their helpful tips! Before the feedback, I wasn't sure exactly how I could get the elephant to be recognizable and symmetrical at the same time, and the Wolf was the only animal with an outline, which separated him from the rest of the animals visually. The number cards were intended to be marks left by the animals, the backs were simple, yet too complicated, and the font I used was too messy and didn't have any numbers available, reverting them to the nasty default placeholders.
