Vol 2. Sisterhood of Blood - 52 Ravens

[52Ravens]

Hey all

I'm back once again for you all to cast your eyes over the design process of Volume 2 of the Sisterhood of Blood playing cards. More of the same regarding style but with a couple of tweaks. All new courts, back and case design to step it away from Volume 1, but not too far that they don't feel part of the same series.

The court cards are close to final layouts and I'm about ready to get some feedback. But before I start showing sets of Jack, Queens and Kings, I wanted to start with the below, red or no red?



My main two concerns are that the red could make it hard to read the black pips and that they could look too similar to Lorenzo's Requiem with the red and cream/paper. What do you guys think?

As always, all constructive feedback is gratefully appreciated and often rewarded with being able to name these beautiful creatures.

[RichK]

I passed on this only because it was vampires. Art was great, just not my thing, sorry.

The red border helps make the red on the woman pop out more but the index is harder to read. Easier to read without red. And I wonder how you'd handle the hearts/diamonds with red border.

I don't think it would be similar to Requiem since they are deeper red with bluer center area with lots of insane stuff going on with the courts. This Jack has sucked blood but doesn't have much chaos/busyness/action in her pose whereas I feel like I just interrupted something happening in Requiem.

[MagikFingerz]

I think the red is fine, and it differentiates Vol 2 even more from Vol 1, which is good imo. Indices aren't much harder to read, and like Rick said the red is quite a different shade than Requiem.

Hearts/Diamonds could perhaps have a black outline around the pips?

Another thing is: Will the back design match the red face cards?

[Räpylätassu]

First of all: The words I saw aloud when I saw this thread were "You got to be f*cking kidding me" while the inside of my head shoouted "YEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!" So I am pretty fricking excited about this.

Oh and red. Red all the fricking way.

[guru]

As mentioned above, I believe red works fine and can act as a strong differentiator with Vol I and any other similar themed decks. You may need to work with Expert (in case you're going with them again) to see how closely they can replicate the Red as on screen and what does a better "Red" in print looks like for this deck.

[rousselle]

Red.

And, I recommend that you try a thin beige border around the index pips (beige as in, match the background color of the interior) and, as was suggested above, some kind of border around the red pips, as well.

You know I'm backing this one.

[52Ravens]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll take another look and get some new previews sorted before showing the rest of the courts

[JacksandJokers]

Agree with others - Love the Red.

[vedus]

I'll be the outlier.

I don't like the red or the texture on the border as much as I'd prefer a clean solid colour border, but that's a general personal preference. I still dig them despite that.

[52Ravens]

Hey!

Thanks for all the feedback, really appreciate it. I'll hand out naming rewards once I get this finalised and you've actually seen the courts!

I've been having a play around and below are two sets of examples. The top ones have a key line around the indexes and the bottom ones are without. Personally I think the key line ones are a little fussy to read and are heading towards the tacky side of design. Let me know your thoughts. I like the second row myself and I'm leaning that way, its going to take a lot of convincing otherwise

Once we have this, I'll post the Jacks.

I passed on this only because it was vampires.

I think I remember you saying before but totally appreciate the input for design

Another thing is: Will the back design match the red face cards?

Yes, wanting to carry the red around to the front so needed to make sure this was right before I started finalising the back.

I'll be the outlier.

I had a go at plain colours and no textures but it didn't suit the theme and took it too far away from volume one. I'm always happy to have apposing views, it helps to second guess ideas and thoughts. Remember, you can't please everyone, so if you're surrounded by people only telling you "YES!", someone is lying

Guess that makes me a glass half empty type of guy!

[ecNate]

I wasn't a big fan of the red border as it seemed to be an after thought and caused the image to stick out (both in a good 'pop' way, but also just distracting). My initial thought was to try making the entire back red instead of the court background being tan. However, I think the key lines help a ton with this on the center image. I suggest you keep that, even if you remove from the indicies. Regarding those, I think it does add something and isn't tacky, but certainly is more appealing on the suit than 'J'. I would vote to keep them all, but certainly keep the one around the court image box and possibly also the suit. However, then the question would be how this would look on number cards if the pips there do/don't have the same treatment. That may help you decide what to do here as well.

[rousselle]

I prefer the first row, with the key lines.

However, I don't dislike the second row. I just *prefer* the first row.

I like the way this is coming along.

[flashcards]

I think the top JoH is the way to go. The red borders are awesome. The key lines around the figures help them pop. It is almost a 3-D effect. I like the indices without the key lines as they don't have the same effect as with the figures. I personally like the white heart at the corner and the red heart in the white area. I don't know if that would be a problem for those that use them for actually games but from an aesthetic point of view, they work well. I like the way this project is heading as well. It is so much better than a recolor and is going to be different enough to justify the additional purchase. Nice job.

[montecarlojoe]

First row for me too - have you considered going whole hog and using red stock...?

[vedus]

Continually on the outside on this one. The second row runs a bit better for my eye.

[52Ravens]

Wow, I really didn't think it would be this difficult

The top row really doesn't do it for me with the key line around the indices, but I think I'll keep it around the characters as an extra border between the back and red as mentioned by a few others. It might not be the clearly popular choice but I've got to stick with my gut feeling.

I appreciate all the feedback, it really does help me to battle through ideas.

Jack designs coming tomorrow

I don't dislike the second row. I just *prefer* the first row.

I know what you're saying, its the other way round for me haha

have you considered going whole hog and using red stock...?

I have thought of it but I'd loose the texture effect, which would take it just a step too far away from Vol 1 I think

[TGunitedcardists]

Top row/first row.

[52Ravens]

Hey Guys, below are the Jacks from Vol 2.

Feel free to go to town on the layouts, constructive feedback will be rewarded if it develops the design, with naming of the vampires

Once we are all good with the Jacks I'll post the Queens

Thanks!

[Räpylätassu]

I love all of them except that herp derp Jack of Spades

But all other three are great work!

[flashcards]

There is something about the white indices that catches my eye and makes it jump to the figure...in a good way, of course. The black indices don't seem to do that although I don't think that is a necessarily bad, just interesting. I like the idea of red stock but I understand your desire for continuity. I don't mean to pile on but the skull on the Jack of Spades looks like it is wearing glasses. Otherwise, every thing is looking good.

[52Ravens]

Hey!

An updated JoS as flashcards was right, it looked a little like the skull had glasses on. Hopefully its tweaked enough to not look like that now

Let me know if you guys spot anything else, if not, I'll post the the Queens.

Thanks for all the input!

I love all of them except that herp derp Jack of Spades

This is Isabel from volume 1. If you backed the book you'll find out why she looks a little crazy once the rewards are fulfilled haha

...the skull on the Jack of Spades looks like it is wearing glasses.

Thanks for this, I'll PM you regarding naming one

[52Ravens]

Hey!

Below I have the Queens to show from Vol 2 of the Sisterhood of Blood.

Once again please feel free to go to town on the layouts, and constructive feedback will be rewarded if it develops the design, with naming of the vampires

Thank you!

[flashcards]

In the QoD, instead of it looking like the figure has one arm visible like the others, it looks like she has two arms. The one on the left looks like it is coming from her shoulder but is shortened; like it is missing its upper arm. Makes it look like she has broad shoulders and a deformed left arm. Maybe you could angle her more and put her in profile like the other figures and get rid of the (disturbing) illusion. It feels like there is too much white space so perhaps placing it at an angle with solve that issue as well.

In the QoC, I can't quite figure out what is holding the flower. It looks almost like a sock puppet with out features- in other words, a sock with a hand in it. Dammit, now I can't unsee it.

On the other hand (no pun intended), the QoH is executed quite nicely. The two arms blending into one creates a pleasant optical illusion that takes a while to figure out.

I also like the way the suits are worked into the figures as tattoos or bracelet charms. Makes for a subtle Easter egg kind of like the bunny head on the Playboy covers. Over all I really like what I've seen and I think the red border is absolutely the right choice.

[52Ravens]

Hey!

Updated QoD and QoC to take a look at. I was going to say that the QoD was ok, but the more I looked at it, the more I questioned it so hopefully this fits better now. The QoC now no longer works for Jim Henson

Thanks once again, please feel free to give feedback on the Jacks and Queens. Constructive feedback will be rewarded if it develops the design, with naming of the vampires

Kings will be posted soon

[flashcards]

I don't know. The QoD still looks odd to me. Anybody else have an opinion?

[max]

I love your design, Kirk, congratulations!

Regarding the red or not... Why not keeping the same beige border (so indexes won't be a problem) and try the red background "inside"?

Just an idea.. Anyway, I will love the deck whatever you decide to do...

Good luck

[pablo]

I say splatter the borders with red, instead of just be fully red, like a bloody frame. Andaybe when you fan the deck it spells soemthing out.

Enviado desde mi Aquaris_M4.5 mediante Tapatalk

[52Ravens]

Hey!

As suggested by MAX

Why not keeping the same beige border and try the red background "inside"?

See below the results, I really like it, what do you guys think? Its a small step away from Volume 1 though its enough to be different and set it aside, but is it too much red too close to the character?

Thanks Max, I'll PM you regarding naming a card



Please feel free to give feedback on the Jacks, Queens and the red border. Constructive feedback will be rewarded if it develops the design, with naming of the vampires

I say splatter the borders with red

I did try it while testing Max's idea but it mixed too much with the pips and I couldn't get it to work, Thanks for the idea though

[NineLives]

Both look good - though I really like red on the inside! It allows skin (hands/faces) to stand out and makes the centre feel more complete. Nice

[flashcards]

I have to agree. I really liked the red border but I have to admit, the red inside does look better. Perhaps a deck of each with different color backs? Great, I'm already costing myself more money on this project and it's not even done yet