"Fillide - A Sicilian Folk Tale" Versions 1, 2 and In Bloom

[Jocu]

Fillide Announcement

We're Live!!

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Hey guys!

So after months of research, preparation, planning, designing, testing and tweaking we’re finally ready and super excited to announce our first project. Coming to Kickstarter Tuesday 23rd of April…

***

Fillide: A Sicilian Folk Tale by Jocu

“You shall be marked upon my tomb as the cruel cause of my death, and handed down to posterity in these or similar lines: “Fillide died by the cruelty of Acamante; a faithful mistress by a perfidious guest. He was the barbarous cause; she gave herself the fatal blow.”
-‘Fillide to Acamante’, adapted from The Epistles of Ovid, 43 BC-AD 18

Inspired by the Sicilian folk legend of the origin of the almond tree, Fillide tells a tale of magic and heartbreak passed down for centuries.

The first project from Jocu, Fillide are a new concept in professional playing cards for magicians, cardists, gamblers, cartomancers, collectors and lovers of magical things.

Our cards don’t just handle beautifully, they’ll immerse you a tale that’s been part of south Sicilian tradition for over two thousand years.



Fillide Playing Cards


• 56 fully custom playing cards by Jocu designer Alessandra Gagliano
  Available in Acqua (Green) and Terra (Brown) versions with metallic silver and gold backs
  Printed on premium B9 card stock by Cartamundi
  Metallic detailing on the court cards and aces
  Matte embossed tuck boxes with interior printing
  Foil accents and details on the tuck box
  Designed in Italy, printed in Belgium. Fully created in 1000km² in Europe

Background

Designed in Italy by Sicilian artist Alessandra Gagliano, Fillide playing cards draw inspiration from the folk legends of Sicily, where ancient Greek temples and Roman theatres still stand almost side by side. The intriguing history of the island has created a diverse mix of cultures and ancient traditions, and these cards showcase beautiful imagery and symbolism from Sicilian folklore.

Printed in Belgium on premium card stock, our elegant and luxurious playing cards spread, fan and faro beautifully and will bring a dose of real magic to your performances, flourishes and card games.

Truly ‘Made in Europe’, the entire process of designing and producing Fillide playing cards will take place within less than 1000 km in central Europe.

The Design

The cards retell the legend of Fillide and come with a beautifully detailed original back design by Sicilian artist Alessandra Gagliano. Available in two variants, ‘Acqua’ and 'Terra', Fillide depict a wealth of ancient symbolism and imagery, as well as Sicilian iconography.



Taking centre-stage on our intricate back design is Fillide, after her transformation into an almond tree and blossoming at the touch of the returning Acamante.



The tuck box will be produced by Cartamundi, with a matte stock, silver (Acqua version) or gold (Terra version) details, and embossing. It will also feature internal printing.



The faces feature large fully custom pips in the classic style of ‘poker’ playing cards, meaning they are perfect for players and magicians.



The courts are completely custom whilst respecting elements of the classic designs. Suits are standard, but details reference the classic Sicilian playing card suits. They feature characters from Sicilian folklore, which naturally draws from both Greek and Roman mythology.



The Queen of Spades representing Giunone, the Goddess said to have transformed Fillide into an almond tree out of pity.



The Aces retell the entire tale of Fillide. From the couple meeting, Fillide and Acamante parting, the death of Fillide and finally her blossoming upon Acamante's return.



Other details pay tribute to the Giunone, goddess of the moon who took pity on Fillide and transformed her, the elements, the Sicilian triskele, and the three realms of nature - earth, sea and sky. As well as each suit referencing the corresponding seasons, red and black suits feature subtly different styling. We won’t spoil all the secrets here though…

Pricing

Decks start at €12 (around $13.50 usd at the time of writing) and there will obviously be discounts for multiple decks, special reward tiers and early birds. Add-ons will only be available for some tiers (premium tiers - explained below), where they will be just €10 a deck.

As you guys have been so helpful throughout our entire design process, and we feel really at home here at UC, we’ll give advance notice about all the details of the campaign including any early-birds or flash rewards we decide to do.

Rewards and Special Items

There are two types of reward on offer - Standard and Premium. Standard tiers include decks in various combinations. Premium tiers are geared towards magicians, gamblers or collectors and feature special custom rewards on top of two decks, free shipping and the ability to add extra decks for a discount. These are the ones to go for if you want something more unique

Free and Discounted Shipping

We have worked really hard to keep shipping as low and efficient as possible. This means that for all orders of four decks or more, and all premium reward tiers, shipping is free for Europe and the USA.

Pledges for one or two decks will be available, and whilst shipping rates will apply they will be discounted. Current US and EU shipping rates are €5 for one deck and €6 for two decks.

Pledges for four decks (€45 not counting early birds) are shipped free to the US and EU.

For US and Rest of World orders, we are partnering up with Gambler's Warehouse in the USA to offer slick, cheap shipping.

For European orders, we will handle fulfilment here in Italy using our custom packaging and UPS or Poste Italiane depending on the size of the package.

Everyone else will receive a general ‘rest of world’ price that is as low a shipping price as we can economically offer. If you still feel that your shipping fees are too high, send us an email and we’ll do a precise estimate for your country.

If you have any special requests, don't hesitate to contact us at info@jocu.cards

***

Thank you everyone for all your help and support up to now on this project. Fingers crossed all goes well with the campaign funding and I hope we’ll see some of you there on Kickstarter.

As a way of spreading the word and also giving something back to all the dozens of people who’ve given us advice and critiques for our project, we’re also running a giveaway as of today. Over the next three weeks we’re going to give away three decks of cards a week, featuring cards by Theory11, Ellusionist, Murphy’s Magic and more

To enter just head to our website to enter. We’ll draw a new winner every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday so plenty of chances to grab something!

Thank you, and feel free to fire any questions at us.

Anthony and Alessandra

[Decknowledgy]

With all the work and discussion put into this, and the decent final product, this is a must pledge for me! Thanks Jocu!

[vasta41]

There is a lot to like here but maybe I'm biased because I'm 100% Italian and 25% Sicilian (yes, my math is right). The price seems pretty good considering the custom art work, printer and bling. But here's what I don't like: first and foremost is the front of the tuck. Why a club? Considering what's inside the tuck seems so boring and I wish it were jazzed up more. The aces also seem boring and lackluster compared to the courts. I understand that they're telling a story but I wish they stood out more. None of those gripes are enough to keep me from pledging and like I said before, the price-point is decent so I will be there on launch day. Bravo overall!

[Jocu]

There is a lot to like here but maybe I'm biased because I'm 100% Italian and 25% Sicilian (yes, my math is right). The price seems pretty good considering the custom art work, printer and bling. But here's what I don't like: first and foremost is the front of the tuck. Why a club? Considering what's inside the tuck seems so boring and I wish it were jazzed up more. The aces also seem boring and lackluster compared to the courts. I understand that they're telling a story but I wish they stood out more. None of those gripes are enough to keep me from pledging and like I said before, the price-point is decent so I will be there on launch day. Bravo overall!

Thanks Vasta!

You know we kind of painted ourselves into a corner (but in a good way) with the suit for the front as we wanted a big pip but the only logical one was the club as the other designs would seem strange out of context and perhaps not give off the right feel for the deck.

Suggestions for box improvements are welcome though - it’s somwhwre We’re happy to put more work into.

The aces red aces have some nice little details (I’ll try and get some larger images) but I’ll pass on your feedback and see what we can do

Do you still have family in Italy? We spent a year in Sicily before moving north. I miss the south in a lot of ways!

[badpete69]

Looks great... I will be there on the 23rd

[vasta41]

Suggestions for box improvements are welcome though - it’s somwhwre We’re happy to put more work into.

I suggest loosing the club outline altogether. I would also suggest enlarging the font and the tree. And if the tree were embossed that might be enough but I think it could also benefit by some other distinguishing feature. I'm not sure what though... a border? Something that will make the title stand out and make the tree the focal point.

Do you still have family in Italy? We spent a year in Sicily before moving north. I miss the south in a lot of ways!

Yes but my Sicilian roots are on my Dad's side of the family and he doesn't know much about his lineage.

[macstrat]

I fully plan on backing this deck. That said, this question is out of legit curiosity and not a design commentary: How did you come to settle on the index font and court card margins?

[theCapraAegagrus]

Yup. Front of the tuck box sticks out like a sore thumb.

The rest of the shared campaign seems good. Fully-custom (and a nice design). Price seems fine. I'm a potential backer.

[Jocu]

I fully plan on backing this deck. That said, this question is out of legit curiosity and not a design commentary: How did you come to settle on the index font and court card margins?

Thank you!

For fonts, and I guess really the whole deck from its inception was always planned to follow conventions of standard playing cards so that magicians could use them without it looking too much like a 'hype deck' even though, personally, I think the idea that 'unusual decks' raise suspicions in spectators hasn't proved true (especially as Bicycle decks aren't household items outside the states anyway). We ended up scouring font websites and settling on this one.

So we wanted something nice and traditional but not too 'standard'.

Regarding the court card margins we wanted to mimic the design of the classic decks so even the characters themselves have a similar pose and generally hold items in the same hands (there's a suicide king, for example). The reasons were the same as above. We found it a little restrictive, so I don't know if we'd do it again on another deck so closely lined up with the 'classic' look, but it was good to work within those constraints.

Interestingly, when showing them to some friends, a couple asked 'they're really nice, are you going to redo the court designs?'. Perhaps they're TOO similar for the layman, but I'm sure that magicians, cardists and any collectors here will spot straight away that they're obviously custom!

Yup. Front of the tuck box sticks out like a sore thumb.

The rest of the shared campaign seems good. Fully-custom (and a nice design). Price seems fine. I'm a potential backer.

I was worried about you

But considering that's the nicest thing you've said to anyone since I joined I'll take it as a positive and constructive criticism

Joking aside I really respect your opinion, and seeing as that's now two comments about the box I think we'll go back to the drawing board on tweaking it. Suggestions welcome

[theCapraAegagrus]

Yup. Front of the tuck box sticks out like a sore thumb.

The rest of the shared campaign seems good. Fully-custom (and a nice design). Price seems fine. I'm a potential backer.

I was worried about you

But considering that's the nicest thing you've said to anyone since I joined I'll take it as a positive and constructive criticism

Joking aside I really respect your opinion, and seeing as that's now two comments about the box I think we'll go back to the drawing board on tweaking it. Suggestions welcome

I'm not sure what to suggest. Front of the tuck just immediately stood out to me as 'not fitting in'.

One combo thing that I'm really glad you did was limiting to only 2 decks, and the 2nd deck was re-colored both ways. Most decks have white lines on both and only change the base color (kinda like Rider Backs). I prefer it, if you have the same design, that you swap both colors (as you did). Smart choice IMO.

[Decknowledgy]

Just a side note here: people REALLY have to go to the Custom Deck Drawing Board forum to help out designers WHILE they are creating decks and being open to discussion. I see not many people caring during the process but would drop opinions here when the artwork is near finalizing.

[vasta41]

Just a side note here: people REALLY have to go to the Custom Deck Drawing Board forum to help out designers WHILE they are creating decks and being open to discussion. I see not many people caring during the process but would drop opinions here when the artwork is near finalizing.

Go where?

[wingedpotato]

Just a side note here: people REALLY have to go to the Custom Deck Drawing Board forum to help out designers WHILE they are creating decks and being open to discussion. I see not many people caring during the process but would drop opinions here when the artwork is near finalizing.

Go where?

viewforum.php?f=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[vasta41]

Just a side note here: people REALLY have to go to the Custom Deck Drawing Board forum to help out designers WHILE they are creating decks and being open to discussion. I see not many people caring during the process but would drop opinions here when the artwork is near finalizing.

Go where?

viewforum.php?f=15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That was a joke

[macstrat]

Interestingly, when showing them to some friends, a couple asked 'they're really nice, are you going to redo the court designs?'. Perhaps they're TOO similar for the layman, but I'm sure that magicians, cardists and any collectors here will spot straight away that they're obviously custom!

I say thats a good thing. As a working deck, if its too custom, people dont take it seriously.

[theCapraAegagrus]

That was a joke

[Jocu]

Ok guys thanks for your comments so far! We’re gonns revisit the tuck perhaps enlarging the tree and making the points of embossing and foil clearer (were struggling to show foil and embossing in a mock-up. Any ideas from designers appreciated )

[Nova]

You did a really solid job here, both the deck and the campaign details look very good. I personally don't think there is something really wrong with the tuck, but it is a bit shallow, certainly compared to the court cards.

Also interesting you chose to split shipment fulfillment, I have been thinking about the same thing.

[Outsider]

I'm new so had not known of this before but it has my attention. Beautiful art, great colors, classic styling. I very much enjoy "cultural" decks.

[Jocu]

Quick update!

Here's a better look at the pips and some of the aces (and the joker )





We're looking at reworking the box. We're thinking of one where the tree is more of a central point rather than simply a reproduction of the Ace of Clubs, one with a completely different design and a third with a more minimal approach. Will come back with renders for your opinions

[vasta41]

Classic joker- very nice!

We're looking at reworking the box. We're thinking of one where the tree is more of a central point rather than simply a reproduction of the Ace of Clubs, one with a completely different design and a third with a more minimal approach. Will come back with renders for your opinions

^^^ PUMPED for this!

[theCapraAegagrus]

...We're looking at reworking the box. We're thinking of one where the tree is more of a central point rather than simply a reproduction of the Ace of Clubs, one with a completely different design and a third with a more minimal approach. Will come back with renders for your opinions

Looking forward to 'em.

[shermjack]

Looks great, Jocu! I am definitely in!

[Jocu]

Hi guys!

Here are the first two ideas Ale's worked on. It's really hard (impossible really) to show the proper gold foil or embossing in the mockups, but imagine that all the gold will be embossed and it's a matte tuck paper. The second has a slight colour variation but obviously neither is truly representative of the foil.

We've added a border too, which I think really improves the overall look whichever design we go for.





Initial thoughts? I think it's definitely an improvement on the previous, and I'm glad that we revisited it.

[robcan0630]

I really like the first picture with the intricate tree. Good luck with the project, I'll be backing once live.

[Pablo393]

Great work. I like Option A the most and will be there for the launch regardless.

[vasta41]

LOVE the 1st option. The 2nd one is okay but the first one is GREAT!! Thanks for taking the advice!

[theCapraAegagrus]

Wow, those are 1000% better. I actually like both of them.

Would it be possible to use both designs? 1 for each color?

[Outsider]

The new tucks look great. I also think I prefer the first version with the tree, but both are nice.

[Jocu]

Thank you guys! We're really glad you like them. Although now it presents the new problem of choosing

Both of us were actually leaning towards the second option as we like the idea that it teases at what's in the box without revealing everything straight away.

Wow, those are 1000% better. I actually like both of them.

Would it be possible to use both designs? 1 for each color?

Unfortunately embossing is the major cost that would double if we changed it for the colour variation. It'd be a few thousand if I'm not mistaken...

We've got time to mull it over so I'll wait for some more feedback and let you know our decision. We'd like to have it locked down soon but it's an important decision so we'll have a think about it. Tomorrow we'll post some new renders with both versions in both colours side by side and see what everyone thinks with fresh eyes.

Thanks as always for your help and support and see you back here tomorrow!