Zodiac Signs Playing Cards by Roman Kotiv

[CBJ]

Jay

[badpete69]

Boy I am glad I am not a Bicycle Deck collector hehehehe

[theCapraAegagrus]

I've seen worse, and @ $11 a deck, I think it'll fund.

The backs would look much nicer without the unnecessary red "hue" incorporated.

The artwork is good, but the corner pips are waaaaay too large.

Edit: I also think black as the background 'color' doesn't flatter anything.

[Räpylätassu]

Those doggos look weird, not cute. Doggos should look cute.

[CBJ]

Boy I am glad I am not a Bicycle Deck collector hehehehe

Funny man lol

[Bikefanatic]

This deck is absolutely horrendous! The artwork doesn't save it just because it's colourful, it looks too cluttered. The backs and the faces don't even look like they go together.

The best looking Chinese zodiac animal deck yet is the Bicycle Goat Deco. Whoever makes a Year Of The Rat deck, it better look superb.

[vedus]

Good concept. Solid core art. Terrible execution. This feels like a CPC theme.

[Merlebird]

Every time I look at this deck I find something new about it to dislike.

• I can't even comment on the quality of the lineart because it's so difficult to make out through the oversaturated color palette. If I have to run your image through an editor and hit "Inverse Colors" before I'm sure you haven't already done that to get what you're showing me, something's wrong.
• I think putting legends ("lucky direction," "Unlucky number," "Compatibility trio") on all of the cards would be bad. I think putting them on only some of the cards is worse.
• I have no problem with one-way backs if they're done purposefully and done well. Taking a serviceable two-way back and making it one-way by slapping "HANDCRAFTED CARD" on half of it is... basically the complete opposite of both of those things.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Every time I look at this deck I find something new about it to dislike.

• I can't even comment on the quality of the lineart because it's so difficult to make out through the oversaturated color palette. If I have to run your image through an editor and hit "Inverse Colors" before I'm sure you haven't already done that to get what you're showing me, something's wrong.
• I think putting legends ("lucky direction," "Unlucky number," "Compatibility trio") on all of the cards would be bad. I think putting them on only some of the cards is worse.
• I have no problem with one-way backs if they're done purposefully and done well. Taking a serviceable two-way back and making it one-way by slapping "HANDCRAFTED CARD" on half of it is... basically the complete opposite of both of those things.

I did not even realize this. It's hideous. They're not even handcrafted. They're printed by USPCC...

[Bikefanatic]

Good concept. Solid core art. Terrible execution. This feels like a CPC theme.

That's because it is CPC! We'll get a good themed deck after the next 8.

[vasta41]

Every time I look at this deck I find something new about it to dislike.

• I can't even comment on the quality of the lineart because it's so difficult to make out through the oversaturated color palette. If I have to run your image through an editor and hit "Inverse Colors" before I'm sure you haven't already done that to get what you're showing me, something's wrong.
• I think putting legends ("lucky direction," "Unlucky number," "Compatibility trio") on all of the cards would be bad. I think putting them on only some of the cards is worse.
• I have no problem with one-way backs if they're done purposefully and done well. Taking a serviceable two-way back and making it one-way by slapping "HANDCRAFTED CARD" on half of it is... basically the complete opposite of both of those things.

I did not even realize this. It's hideous. They're not even handcrafted. They're printed by USPCC...

Looks like they went to the Ellusionist school of advertising A few years back there were really cool Chinese zodiac decks (Serpent, Warrior Horse, etc.) but for some reason the monkey was skipped and now this... I want to like it so much but dear God.

[Merlebird]

I did not even realize this. It's hideous. They're not even handcrafted. They're printed by USPCC...

Lovingly Handcrafted by USPCC Diecutter #17

If it makes you feel any better I didn't notice the one-way back until my second or third pass, either; I was a little distracted by the, ah, color scheme (about which the less I say, the better).

This may be my own ignorance - I'm not an expert in traditional Chinese art by any means - but does anybody know if dogs in that aesthetic always look like Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or just these?

[4.of.Clubs]

I did not even realize this. It's hideous. They're not even handcrafted. They're printed by USPCC...

Lovingly Handcrafted by USPCC Diecutter #17

If it makes you feel any better I didn't notice the one-way back until my second or third pass, either; I was a little distracted by the, ah, color scheme (about which the less I say, the better).

This may be my own ignorance - I'm not an expert in traditional Chinese art by any means - but does anybody know if dogs in that aesthetic always look like Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or just these?

I'm Chinese and this isn't close to traditional Chinese art...

[theCapraAegagrus]

I did not even realize this. It's hideous. They're not even handcrafted. They're printed by USPCC...

Lovingly Handcrafted by USPCC Diecutter #17

If it makes you feel any better I didn't notice the one-way back until my second or third pass, either; I was a little distracted by the, ah, color scheme (about which the less I say, the better).

This may be my own ignorance - I'm not an expert in traditional Chinese art by any means - but does anybody know if dogs in that aesthetic always look like Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or just these?

I'm Chinese and this isn't close to traditional Chinese art...

What about this one?

[Eric Lee]

Just found this. A new designer, Nomads Playing Cards will be launching their "Year of the Dog" and "Year of the Pig" deck as part of their Lunar and Zodiac series of 12 deck. These are "Decks dedicated to Zodiac animals of Asian Lunar Calendar. First 2 decks from 12 series"

Nice to see the Far East Zodiacs being represented after the slew of western zodiac projects. (No bias whatsoever, nope, none at all )

Check out the prelaunch page:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/15 ... n=b70f51cf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

YotD Tuck

YD box.jpg (117.79 KiB) Viewed 4250 times

YotD courts

YotP box

Yp box.jpg (124.13 KiB) Viewed 4250 times

YotP courts

[theCapraAegagrus]

Holy crap, these look f^&*ing amazing. I would prefer the back to have some design variation, though, more than just a color swap.

Can USPCC really maintain those borders, though?

[shermjack]

Just found this. A new designer, Nomads Playing Cards will be launching their "Year of the Dog" and "Year of the Pig" deck as part of their Lunar and Zodiac series of 12 deck. These are "Decks dedicated to Zodiac animals of Asian Lunar Calendar. First 2 decks from 12 series"

Nice to see the Far East Zodiacs being represented after the slew of western zodiac projects. (No bias whatsoever, nope, none at all )

I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that these decks are from the Far East and not from the West...the Year of the Dog deck is an improved re-design of a deck launched on KS in February by CPC...the creators actually thank Mike Guistolse of CPC.

You can find the UC thread here (viewtopic.php?f=8&t=11163&p=126646&hili ... og#p126646" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) and the original KS project here (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cp ... u?ref=card" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

As for the re-design, the back is much better and going with a white background is definitely an improvement, but the tuck box definitely still needs work. It is interesting that the fulfillment is being done by Gamblers instead of CPC.

I am still on the fence with this one.

[vedus]

Hmm. I haven't backed anything in weeks. This may change that.

[Bradius]

These do look really good. I would suggest that they give a price break for those purchasing bricks or other larger orders. In fact, they should also have a half-brick option. I would suggest they let backers mix/match either of the two decks in those multiple tiers to keep things simple. Also a four deck option would be something I would prefer (two of each). I will have to also see what shipping is, but definitely interested.

[CupcakeBaron]

I liked the cards until I saw the animal depictions on the number cards... I'm a wee bit traumatized

[theCapraAegagrus]

I liked the cards until I saw the animal depictions on the number cards... I'm a wee bit traumatized

Ah, crap, I thought those were some Jokers/gaffs.

Kinda ruins the deck...

[Bradius]

Dang, I didn't see that either. Yeah, the animals on the number cards don't add to the cards IMHO. Also, I am not a fan at all of having different colors of backs within the same deck. That essentially marks the deck and kills it for game play. As an art deck, it looks really nice (without said animals on the number cards). There is a LOT of good to work with here.

[Azid]

"It is selected already colors of backs of all 12 decks."

As far as i understand this pic shows the different back colors for each of the 12 decks in the series, and not different colors in one deck.

I'm not interested in these decks at all for some reasons.
- the back design looks nice at a first look, very classic, only 1 color and with lot of details but it doesn't fit the colorful courts which have the look of a fantasy deck.
- i don't like the idea of placing animals on each number card, some may find this cool others like me don't.
- 12 times the same back design in differnt colors for a theme like that ? no thanks, do a least some little changes like "The Planets" by Vanda. Maybe replace that head (wich looks to me like that one from the ZEN decks) with the theme of the deck (dog, pig, .....)

[theCapraAegagrus]

- i don't like the idea of placing animals on each number card, some may find this cool others like me don't.
- 12 times the same back design in differnt colors for a theme like that ? no thanks, do a least some little changes like "The Planets" by Vanda. Maybe replace that head (wich looks to me like that one from the ZEN decks) with the theme of the deck (dog, pig, .....)

EXACTLY my thinking here.

[Räpylätassu]

I liked the cards until I saw the animal depictions on the number cards... I'm a wee bit traumatized

Ah, crap, I thought those were some Jokers/gaffs.

Kinda ruins the deck...

I don't think it ruins the deck, but it is a rather strange choise

[Eric Lee]

[/quote]

I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that these decks are from the Far East and not from the West...the Year of the Dog deck is an improved re-design of a deck launched on KS in February by CPC...the creators actually thank Mike Guistolse of CPC.

You can find the UC thread here (viewtopic.php?f=8&t=11163&p=126646&hili ... og#p126646" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.) and the original KS project here (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cp ... u?ref=card" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.).

As for the re-design, the back is much better and going with a white background is definitely an improvement, but the tuck box definitely still needs work. It is interesting that the fulfillment is being done by Gamblers instead of CPC.

I am still on the fence with this one. [/quote]

Yes I recall the original project now that you reminded us. It is so much better, like night and day (or black and white in this case) Glad they switched to white instead of black. Thanks for putting up the original links.

BTW, I had meant it was nice seeing Far East designs , not so much designers. Although it would be even better if we had both. Interestingly, I would have expected Bocopo or another Asian designer to do this and not CPC. Still nice to see CPC stretching their creativity more than just putting out the usual JAB designs (Joker, Ace, Backs)

[tmbdp2001]

The number cards would look a lot better without the animal pictures on them. I was born in a Year of the Pig, so I will probably pick one of those up to go with the Virgo deck I have.

[Casual Pixels]

The pip cards are a huge turnoff. I like pretty much everything else about these.

I might have picked one up anyway, except that there's no way I'm going in for only part of the set and no way I'm going in for that many decks with pips cards like those.

[vasta41]

If there were just going to be one of these done really well I would definitely be in. And it wouldn't need too much more to make one of these really great. But I just can't be on board with 12.

[flashcards]

They are live now. I was really looking forward to this deck. I like the Mongolian style of the courts and the back design. Bicycle branded as well. I was born in the Year of the Dog and my wife was born in the Year of the Pig so the 2 deck set was a natural. The price was within my range also. However, the number cards just completely ruined it for me. To go from the beautiful stylized courts to having realistic dogs and pigs sticking their heads out at the sides of the number cards is just too jarring. Seriously, it almost makes me ill to look at them. The pip layout itself is quite good. I could live without the "good friends with ..." at the top and bottom of the cards as well but even that would not be a deal breaker by istself. Leave out the heads and I'm definitely in for a pair. As it is...ugggh.