Manu's Miscellaneous Designs

[manu]

Hi everyone!

Like many people in this hobby, I have often thought about creating decks of cards and have many sketches and lists of potential concepts. I wanted to start this thread to share some of these miscellaneous designs and hopefully get feedback. I don’t have any concrete plans to produce or sell anything at the moment, but perhaps one day!

I wanted to start with the idea that I’ve developed the furthest, having actually gotten some prototypes printed. I drew inspiration from a bottle of iced tea I found in a store once. I liked the design, and wanted to explore what a similar aesthetic would look like on a deck of cards.

The tuck box takes fairly direct inspiration from the label, but I then continued extending the theme through the back, pips, courts and so on.

I doubt it has broad appeal, but it was fun to make and extremely satisfying to hold the physical deck in my hands. It has made me realize things I'd like to change if I ever print a second version. I'd love to know what you think!

[Honeybee]

That would be fun!
I can see why you might choose the LemonTea bottle.
Others may have seen a product that they think would convert well to a deck - I know I have
Personally I may have preferred it if you had stayed truer to the product - maybe like an advertising deck from the past
This surely has to be a stepping stone to be built on
I think you have been more involved but I am reminded of the passing comet that was Meadowlark where Jonathon wanted to create a deck(s)

[manu]

[Honeybee]

You have been reading my preferences - cleverly simplistic design, classic based, B & W

[kevork]

Reminds me of Elettra's works. Looks nice.

[manu]

For a completely different style—I recently found this in an old folder, something I had been experimenting with around 5 years ago.
Is this chunky 3Dish style appealing? Which row do you like best?

[Honeybee]

I could entertain row 3 (I am a minimalist kind of guy) with some interesting courts

[Salt Fire]

I’d like to see more of your concepts. Fan the flames and keep designing!

[manu]

Printed a second round of prototypes for this still-unnamed deck. The faces are mostly the same, but I've made several tweaks to the card backs and the tuck box. I also attempted to add more of the main yellow to the cards via the aces—I think they look quite nice. There are still a few things I would change of course, but overall its a solid refinement of the design.

[Honeybee]

The tuck is interesting - the cards Why are there diamonds on every Ace?

[kevork]

The tuck is interesting - the cards Why are there diamonds on every Ace?

I saw them as stars or sparkles

[Honeybee]

Yes, I know they are not supposed to be diamonds but they look too much like diamonds

[manu]

I saw them as stars or sparkles

That's the idea—its a motif that is present throughout the deck. I didn't think that they could be confused as diamonds, thanks for the feedback

[Honeybee]

I didn't think my post would be popular but thought you deserve honest feedback
Is the card back orange on orange like on the tuck?

[manu]

Is the card back orange on orange like on the tuck?

Here's a closer look. It's kind of a warm yellow, whereas the geometric lines are darker saturated color.

[Honeybee]

I wasn't sure from the tuck if the contrast would be enough but the white border really lifts it - nice!

[Sinecure]

Hey Manu! Loved seeing your lemon tea deck posts over on Reddit. Delighted to see more of them here (and some other cool stuff. Really love everything you’re showing. The tuckbox and the vibrant primary colour scheme especially.