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Limited to ONLY 1000 numbered & signed decks! - 21's by BrightDesignHouse and EPCC

Hi, this is my first post and I hope I have put it in the correct place... nothing worse than irritating the initiated RIGHT-OFF-THE-BAT with a misplaced post.

I currently have a Kickstarter running for a LIMITED deck of cards that will be produced by Expert Playing Card Company. The deck is designed inline with my wider brand (BrightDesignHouse) and features a black and embossed-gold-foil tuck case and black/metallic gold-backed cards. I am an illustrator, published author and cardist, and I have wanted to create a deck of cards for many years... I have now realised that ambition. The decks are called '21's' and feed off the oxymoronic 'impactful-minimalism' that has been well established by other BrightDesignHouse projects. The '21's'; if realised, will be a beautiful deck of cards that will hopefully be a springboard for further decks... but to ensure the exclusivity and mystique of this first deck I am only producing 1000 hand-numbered and signed decks.

I would encourage any cardists with an eye for detail, is a Connoisseur of limited runs or has a penchant for black/gold (like Monarchs, Skull & Bones, Killer Bees, Artisans, Nomads, Makers Blacksmiths etc) to check out the project linked above (or search 21's by BrightDesignHouse on Google) and pick up one of only 1000 hand-numbered & signed decks.

Cheers

@BrightyQuid - Insta/Twitter

I really love the Joker card. It is awesome. It would be cool for me if all the court cards were custom following that theme. I get the value of standard cards for magic, but as a card collector I really like custom court cards and custom pip cards.

I will be doing a full deck of illustrated cards for my 2nd Editions (which will be white and gold)... but I wanted to keep my 1st editions pretty standard just so it would have a wider appeal.
Hopefully this one gets funded and is well received, setting up the opportunity for future decks.

I don't understand the name of this deck. Why are you using the possessive for 21's? How is it supposedly so linked to playing cards when as far as I know the number 21 is only popularized as part of blackjack? Maybe it's nitpicking but really makes no sense to me.

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The back design is really boring. Easy pass.

Strag wrote:I don't understand the name of this deck. Why are you using the possessive for 21's? How is it supposedly so linked to playing cards when as far as I know the number 21 is only popularized as part of blackjack? Maybe it's nitpicking but really makes no sense to me.

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It's a personal deck that feeds into the heritage of my brand. The number 21 is significant to cards through Blackjack; but I agree that it's a tenuous link without the additional personal significance of the number 21. The number 21 was my favourite/Lucky number throughout my childhood, multiple times appearing as my shirt number when I played sports or my favourite player in a particular team etc. Additionally, I was 21 when I founded my company BrightDesignHouse and my son was born on the 21st August. The RB monogram is something that precedes the establishment of my company; so the XXI is really an artefact from that period. I just thought that there is a precedent for '21' being a number associated with cards, so it would be a good idea to play on the duel relevance.

theCapraAegagrus wrote:The back design is really boring. Easy pass.

Fair opinion. Appreciate your honesty.

The biggest issue is the fact that it's $19 USD not including S&H. Your benchmark at that price point should be T11 and Art of Play decks which go for $10-$15 per deck. (Not to mention all the other KS projects right now) See what they offer for that $ and compare that to your project.

Your jokers show something really nice and if that was also on the courts, or similar on the backs; that would make your deck stand out and draw interest for me. However right now there's nothing that'll make this deck stand out from other similar casino/magician classic deck designs at lower price points.

Eric Lee wrote:The biggest issue is the fact that it's $19 USD not including S&H. Your benchmark at that price point should be T11 and Art of Play decks which go for $10-$15 per deck. (Not to mention all the other KS projects right now) See what they offer for that $ and compare that to your project.

Your jokers show something really nice and if that was also on the courts, or similar on the backs; that would make your deck stand out and draw interest for me. However right now there's nothing that'll make this deck stand out from other similar casino/magician classic deck designs at lower price points.

+1

Collector's don't have endless funds and therefore it is important to offer something special for the costumer or to be. As Eric mentioned, besides the design, most collectors always compare prices and although it is kind of unfair, because AoP or T11 produce for cheaper prices than independent creators, it is what it is.

Harvonsgard wrote:

Eric Lee wrote:The biggest issue is the fact that it's $19 USD not including S&H. Your benchmark at that price point should be T11 and Art of Play decks which go for $10-$15 per deck. (Not to mention all the other KS projects right now) See what they offer for that $ and compare that to your project.

Your jokers show something really nice and if that was also on the courts, or similar on the backs; that would make your deck stand out and draw interest for me. However right now there's nothing that'll make this deck stand out from other similar casino/magician classic deck designs at lower price points.

+1

Collector's don't have endless funds and therefore it is important to offer something special for the costumer or to be. As Eric mentioned, besides the design, most collectors always compare prices and although it is kind of unfair, because AoP or T11 produce for cheaper prices than independent creators, it is what it is.

I appreciate both points. The deck cost is a reflection of the cost of printing such a small quantity. The choice of only having 1000 decks printed increases the individual unit cost, but greatly reduces the overall kickstarter target. It was a tit-for-tat trade off that less backers would be required to reach the target amount and they would have a very 'exclusive' deck. I have positive feedback and not so positive feedback. If this Kickstarter fails to reach its target; which now looks quite likely, I don't think I will do another one. But I will take lessons away from the process

As before, I appreciate your honesty.

Cheers

Just for the information of everyone who has viewed the thread, I have introduced a further fully illustrated joker into the deck. 3 variants of my 'Hipster Santa' character.

Thanks for all the feedback

Thanks for sharing this here. We do understand the difficulties and costs of self-publishing only 1000 decks and that seriously affecting the cost.

With all the great card projects coming out all around the same time both by KS , many will get lost in the shuffle so to speak. And it's so hard for new designers to compete nowadays with established designers and publishers like AoP, T11 all upping their designs for 2019.

However I strongly encourage you not to give up on designing another deck. I really love your Hipster Santa jokers. Love the art and humor which captures the hipster theme so well. That's something you should seriously consider for a Christmas deck. Holiday decks are an area that's still got plenty of room to grow.

Stick with the jokers you have, use the same design theme for the Courts and Aces. Maybe even tweak the pips. The deck will make great Christmas presents for any card lovers; be it magicians (maybe put a gaff card), collectors or players. Put green/red cold foil as stretch goals on the tuck and backs; and I believe you've got a hit.

And then, we'll finally something besides N* Silva Christmas deck designs!

Brightyquid wrote:If this Kickstarter fails to reach its target; which now looks quite likely, I don't think I will do another one. But I will take lessons away from the process

I hope you try again! The Custom decks subforum here can be helpful to make your design the best it can be

I think it's somewhat amusing that some people still think a 1000 deck print run is that exclusive. If you look back at all the playing card projects on KS from EPCC/LPCC from the past few years, the majority of those projects are 1000 deck print runs. In other words, a 1000 deck print run is fairly standard as opposed to limited. Also, the majority of those KS playing card projects with 1000 deck print runs are priced well under $24.00 per deck shipped. At a $20+ price point, the only way that's justified is if there's foiling on the cards as well as on the tuck, with preferably fully custom courts as well. There are few things more oxymoronic than a project for a minimalist deck of cards charging maximalist prices. . .

sinjin7 wrote:I think it's somewhat amusing that some people still think a 1000 deck print run is that exclusive. If you look back at all the playing card projects on KS from EPCC/LPCC from the past few years, the majority of those projects are 1000 deck print runs. In other words, a 1000 deck print run is fairly standard as opposed to limited. Also, the majority of those KS playing card projects with 1000 deck print runs are priced well under $24.00 per deck shipped. At a $20+ price point, the only way that's justified is if there's foiling on the cards as well as on the tuck, with preferably fully custom courts as well. There are few things more oxymoronic than a project for a minimalist deck of cards charging maximalist prices. . .

Fair points. Hence its bad performance on Kickstarter. I have taken the above criticism from the other posters and will be channeling it all in to a second attempt. I will build around my hipster santa, customise the pips and court cards, redesign the tuck and card backs and aim for a lower individual unit cost.

Brightyquid wrote:Fair points. Hence its bad performance on Kickstarter. I have taken the above criticism from the other posters and will be channeling it all in to a second attempt. I will build around my hipster santa, customise the pips and court cards, redesign the tuck and card backs and aim for a lower individual unit cost.

I love to hear that. Best of luck.

Really glad to hear that! Thanks for being so positive in receiving the feedback. We know it's never easy especially when it's your 'baby' so to speak. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress of your new deck.