Playing Card Design
I didn't design playing cards for any client, but an assignment for a class titled "Drawing for Graphic Designers," and it was the most enjoyable project of my graphic communications program.
Tools Used: Pen, pencils, and paper for sketching.
My process: This project began with a moodboard and a lot of sketching as I considered what kind of objects or creatures I would use to be the kings, queens, and jacks. I finally settled on birds, thinking about what species of birds would fill the roles of the different suits, based on the symbolism and cultural associations surrounding the breeds I chose.
Sketches
Here's what I came up with:
Bald Eagle--"The Warrior": King /Queen Spades
Mute Swan--"The Lover": King/Queen Hearts
Peafowl--"The Beautiful": King/Queen Diamonds
Raven--"The Wise": King/Queen Clubs*
Magpie--"The Communicator": Red Jacks
Jackdaw--"The Rogue": Black Jacks
Tabby Cat--"The Clown": The Joker
Mallard duckling & Black-capped Chickadee: Low cards
*Although people often associate the raven with death--thank you, Edgar Allan Poe!-- a little research revealed that the raven has been associated with prophecy, insight, and as a link to the spiritual world. I assigned the raven the suit of clubs because in the tarot the clubs are wands.
The Finished Product
