BINI PLAYING CARDS. African inspired deck (thoughts?)

[osaze]

Hi Guys!

I'm a visual artist from Lagos, Nigeria. I'm totally new to the playing card industry/community (tbh, I've been hooked ever since I discovered this playing card universe)

I recently designed my first deck of cards( https://www.instagram.com/biniplayingcards/ ) which pay homage to the ancient kingdom of Benin and it's classical works of art. (some of you might have seen/heard of the Benin bronzes). The deck is primarily aimed at preserving the culture and presenting it in a modern way and also educating people in a fun way.

I had planned on putting this up on Kickstarter, Unfortunately, it isn't open to people who live in Nigeria. I also am not sure how pricing and fulfillment work with kickstarter/ what pricing points to use. Because of this, I decided to produce the first digital print locally in Nigeria. However, the quality doesn't match up to Bicylce's or Cartamundi's (because of limitations in printing technique/technology)

I would really appreciate if I could get feedback/critique on the design in general(likes/dislikes e.t.c). Also, I'd really like to up the print quality of this deck any thoughts on how I can get around the kickstarter issue/advice in general?

Looking forward to your feedback(s)

Below are images of what the deck looks like. You can see other images here: https://www.instagram.com/biniplayingcards/

Sticker Seal



Tuckcase

Tuckcase

tuck

Court cards

courts

Aces

Aces

Joker



Numberings have 2-10 translated at the sides in the native Benin language


Link to promo video I created
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw0CRM9geMb/

[BaconWise]

I really like how this deck looks. I imagine the mods can work their magic to make your IG images show up properly.

Very cool vibe and the artwork is fantastic. The only drawback for me is the face depicted on the tuck case is a little flat. It does resemble the Benin bronzes, but maybe there is a way to add some detail to add some dimension to the face? Either way, this is awesome work and I love the large Ace pips and the card backs as well!

Regarding Kickstarter, you may want to reach out to Ted (decknowledgy). He was helping a designer from Rwanda who had the same issues, if I remember correctly. There should be a thread somewhere for the Gakondo (sp?) deck, so it might be worth your time. Thanks for sharing this, Osaze!

[hsbc]

I was going to mention the Gakondo thread too! That creator is Rwandan and has the same trouble with Kickstarter, here's the thread: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=13135" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am loving the art on this deck

[Räpylätassu]

Wow! Really nice artwork.

Some feedback quickly: The faces on the Jack and the King are really similar, I would work on that a bit, each court card has to be totally unique. Also, the Aces would look better without the expaining the text on them. Rather have an extra card on the deck that explains these things.

Yeah, it's really good. Show us more of the artwork!

[Harvonsgard]

Great draft. I love the artwork aswell.

I would second what Roope wrote about the court cards, every court card should be individual. I saw that you have repeating courts, which is for gameplay a bit off a downer since every e.g. king looks the same and for collectors it is a huge downer since they get only 3 artworks repeated 4 times instead of 12 individual ones.

I would leave the text on the aces though. An extra card will be read once and then will be put aside. If people play games or go through the cards, they will always see and process that extra info and so they will really memorize the info you've put out there. Better educational effect .
For the tuck box, it would be amazing if the bricks and/or the ornament details on the back would be embossed. A tuck box with an haptic structure is always a welcome surplus and helps you to open wallets of customers that are on the fence.

By the way, regarding linking pictures here. You need to link the correct url of the image, not from the site where the picture is linked.

For the king of spades for example it is "https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/484 ... 8df6_z.jpg"

You linked: "https://www.flickr.com/photos/96770811@ ... ed-public/" instead.


By the way, do you have prototypes of the deck? That first picture looks to realistic to be a render? Would it be able to get one of these prototype decks, if they exist?

[osaze]

I really like how this deck looks. I imagine the mods can work their magic to make your IG images show up properly.

Very cool vibe and the artwork is fantastic. The only drawback for me is the face depicted on the tuck case is a little flat. It does resemble the Benin bronzes, but maybe there is a way to add some detail to add some dimension to the face? Either way, this is awesome work and I love the large Ace pips and the card backs as well!

Regarding Kickstarter, you may want to reach out to Ted (decknowledgy). He was helping a designer from Rwanda who had the same issues, if I remember correctly. There should be a thread somewhere for the Gakondo (sp?) deck, so it might be worth your time. Thanks for sharing this, Osaze!

Thanks a lot! I have been able to fix the images thanks to the user 'Shiroo56'.

@flat face tuckcase, I get what you mean, What I had in mind to add dimesion/depth was to have parts of the face embossed (this would probably be a stretch goal on kickstarter as I would assume having it embossed would cost a lot more than if it was just printed plain flat). I was also considering having a foil finish on the red areas to compliment the embossing/add an extra luxury feel to the deck (stretch goals)

Thank you, I have reached out to Ted(decknowledgy) already, I also discovered the Gakondo thread (very useful). I'd reack out to the Gakondo guys to see how they are going about the kickstarter issue. Thanks again for the feedback, much appreciated.

[osaze]

Wow! Really nice artwork.

Some feedback quickly: The faces on the Jack and the King are really similar, I would work on that a bit, each court card has to be totally unique. Also, the Aces would look better without the expaining the text on them. Rather have an extra card on the deck that explains these things.

Yeah, it's really good. Show us more of the artwork!

Thank you!

@ faces look similar. The idea I had was to use an idealised face (sort of like how the benin bronzes look). I will make another edition where all the court cards are totally unique in gesture and perhaps outfit as well. @ have an extra card that explains things, I fear people would throw away that card and the message i'm trying to pass across wont stick in the long run.

I've added a couple more shots of the deck as well

[osaze]

Great draft. I love the artwork aswell.

I would second what Roope wrote about the court cards, every court card should be individual. I saw that you have repeating courts, which is for gameplay a bit off a downer since every e.g. king looks the same and for collectors it is a huge downer since they get only 3 artworks repeated 4 times instead of 12 individual ones.

I would leave the text on the aces though. An extra card will be read once and then will be put aside. If people play games or go through the cards, they will always see and process that extra info and so they will really memorize the info you've put out there. Better educational effect .
For the tuck box, it would be amazing if the bricks and/or the ornament details on the back would be embossed. A tuck box with an haptic structure is always a welcome surplus and helps you to open wallets of customers that are on the fence.

By the way, regarding linking pictures here. You need to link the correct url of the image, not from the site where the picture is linked.

For the king of spades for example it is "https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/484 ... 8df6_z.jpg"

You linked: "https://www.flickr.com/photos/96770811@ ... ed-public/" instead.


By the way, do you have prototypes of the deck? That first picture looks to realistic to be a render? Would it be able to get one of these prototype decks, if they exist?

Thank you!

@ court cards, Noted. I'd have the design revised to have 12 unique courts. In my initial design, initial repeating courts
I had not considered the gameplay and card collector down side of having repeating courts (Rookie mistake). Perhaps I could have them(the new 12 courts) featured in a Spin-off edition to this one (could possibly change the back design & joker so its isnt entirely similar). Let me know your thoughts.

@Text on Aces, My thoughts exactly. I feel people would throw the extra card away and this would make them forget the message i'm trying to pass across in the long run.

@ Tuckbox, My thoughts exactly! What I had in mind to do was have parts of the face (and perhaps the back and sides of the deck) embossed to create a sense of depth/ 3D effect. (I thought of this as a stretch goal on Kickstarter since I assume the cost for the embossing would be significantly higher than if the were printed flat, I also thought of having the red areas having a foil finish for that extra luxury effect/feel)

@ Linking pictures, Thanks a lot!!!! I've just corrected that on all images (It was driving me nuts!)

@ Prototypes, Yes, that first image is a prototype. Since I haven't been able to get the decks on Kickstarter(due to country limitations), I have produced a couple of the decks using local printers here in Nigeria (It's printed on 300gsm paper and using digital printing technique). Sadly, they are only available within Nigeria due to shipping costs.

I was hoping to get a bit more insight here on UC regarding how I could get around the kickstarter issue (It isn't open to people who live in Nigeria). Was also looking to know what printing techniques I could use. Someone advised I use the Cartamundi B9 finish (not sure if that is the standard)

Also, this deck is Bridge size, Is it advisable I change it to a Poker sized deck? What size is generally accepted/used in the playing card community/industry?

[BaconWise]

Poker-sized with tuck embossing would take this to another level. I hope you can get the details worked out to get this on KS. Awesome work!

[Harvonsgard]

I'd have the design revised to have 12 unique courts. In my initial design, initial repeating courts
I had not considered the gameplay and card collector down side of having repeating courts (Rookie mistake). Perhaps I could have them(the new 12 courts) featured in a Spin-off edition to this one (could possibly change the back design & joker so its isnt entirely similar). Let me know your thoughts.

As mentioned, always a plus and I would say for most collectors very important.

@ Tuckbox, My thoughts exactly! What I had in mind to do was have parts of the face (and perhaps the back and sides of the deck) embossed to create a sense of depth/ 3D effect. (I thought of this as a stretch goal on Kickstarter since I assume the cost for the embossing would be significantly higher than if the were printed flat, I also thought of having the red areas having a foil finish for that extra luxury effect/feel)

It definetly will raise the production costs, since it involves extra steps in the production of the tuck box. But It will definetly give you the return of invest, since most collectors are willing to open their wallets for expertly crafted decks.

@ Linking pictures, Thanks a lot!!!! I've just corrected that on all images (It was driving me nuts!)

You're welcome. I struggled at the beginning here aswell. It needs some time to get used to how everything works and what is possible here.

@ Prototypes, Yes, that first image is a prototype. Since I haven't been able to get the decks on Kickstarter(due to country limitations), I have produced a couple of the decks using local printers here in Nigeria (It's printed on 300gsm paper and using digital printing technique). Sadly, they are only available within Nigeria due to shipping costs.

I'll message you on instagram, maybe we can figure something out. I would love to get one.

Was also looking to know what printing techniques I could use. Someone advised I use the Cartamundi B9 finish (not sure if that is the standard)

USPC in the US, Cartamundi in Belgium, and the Taiwanese plant used by LPCC and EPCC are the top tier printers and specialists for playing cards in the world. All three use offset printing, which is the best regarding quality. For smaller print runs MPC (MakePlayingCards) would be an option aswell, but they are inferior to the aforementioned.

Is it advisable I change it to a Poker sized deck? What size is generally accepted/used in the playing card community/industry?

Definetly! I personally don't care about poker or bridge size, but the collectors scene is dominated by US guys and they are used to poker sized playing cards. Plus, even though this may not be your target audience, cardists and magicians use mainly poker sized cards aswell.

[osaze]

Poker-sized with tuck embossing would take this to another level. I hope you can get the details worked out to get this on KS. Awesome work!

Poker sized with tuck embossed it is then. Would post updates on here as I make progress. (Fingers crossed for getting it onto KS)

[osaze]

I'd have the design revised to have 12 unique courts. In my initial design, initial repeating courts
I had not considered the gameplay and card collector down side of having repeating courts (Rookie mistake). Perhaps I could have them(the new 12 courts) featured in a Spin-off edition to this one (could possibly change the back design & joker so its isnt entirely similar). Let me know your thoughts.

As mentioned, always a plus and I would say for most collectors very important.

Got it! unique courts it is.

@ Tuckbox, My thoughts exactly! What I had in mind to do was have parts of the face (and perhaps the back and sides of the deck) embossed to create a sense of depth/ 3D effect. (I thought of this as a stretch goal on Kickstarter since I assume the cost for the embossing would be significantly higher than if the were printed flat, I also thought of having the red areas having a foil finish for that extra luxury effect/feel)

It definetly will raise the production costs, since it involves extra steps in the production of the tuck box. But It will definetly give you the return of invest, since most collectors are willing to open their wallets for expertly crafted decks.

@ Linking pictures, Thanks a lot!!!! I've just corrected that on all images (It was driving me nuts!)

You're welcome. I struggled at the beginning here aswell. It needs some time to get used to how everything works and what is possible here.

It sure does.

@ Prototypes, Yes, that first image is a prototype. Since I haven't been able to get the decks on Kickstarter(due to country limitations), I have produced a couple of the decks using local printers here in Nigeria (It's printed on 300gsm paper and using digital printing technique). Sadly, they are only available within Nigeria due to shipping costs.

I'll message you on instagram, maybe we can figure something out. I would love to get one.

No problem, feel free to reach out whenever you get a chance.

Was also looking to know what printing techniques I could use. Someone advised I use the Cartamundi B9 finish (not sure if that is the standard)

USPC in the US, Cartamundi in Belgium, and the Taiwanese plant used by LPCC and EPCC are the top tier printers and specialists for playing cards in the world. All three use offset printing, which is the best regarding quality. For smaller print runs MPC (MakePlayingCards) would be an option aswell, but they are inferior to the aforementioned.

Ahhh, I see. I'd look the others up, I'm only familiar with USPC and Cartamundi.

Is it advisable I change it to a Poker sized deck? What size is generally accepted/used in the playing card community/industry?

Definetly! I personally don't care about poker or bridge size, but the collectors scene is dominated by US guys and they are used to poker sized playing cards. Plus, even though this may not be your target audience, cardists and magicians use mainly poker sized cards aswell.

Again, You've come through with valuable insights, Thank you so much! (Really, I appreciate)

[flashcards]

I am not a designer by any means but I feel like there is too much white space on the court cards. The boxes around the figures are too small and feel claustrophobic. I know you are trying to have the figures breaking through the boxes which is great. I think you could expand the box itself and still achieve this effect. As it is, I feel a little uncomfortable when looking at them. Expanding the boxes might also allow you to expand the figures a bit allowing a bit more of the details to be seen. I think the pips could be made a little smaller to accommodate this without sacrificing game play.

I don't need blinged out tuck boxes but I believe this design would definitely benefit from embossing and a bit of foil. For me poker sized cards with quality texture/feel are essential. I always encourage creators to show faith in their projects by producing the best quality deck from the best printers they can. It takes more effort and expense but if the first project is not quality, some may ignore later efforts because of it. I personally will not buy a deck printed by MPC or WJPC. I'm just a small (mud) fish in the collecting world but that just means I have to be more selective in what I buy.

Your theme and art are great. With a few changes and a quality printer, these would be a no-brainer (assuming a price of under $15 USD for me). There are lots of schemes for funding on KS but if the basic product is not quality, none of them matter. Thanks for sharing with us and best of luck

[osaze]

I am not a designer by any means but I feel like there is too much white space on the court cards. The boxes around the figures are too small and feel claustrophobic. I know you are trying to have the figures breaking through the boxes which is great. I think you could expand the box itself and still achieve this effect. As it is, I feel a little uncomfortable when looking at them. Expanding the boxes might also allow you to expand the figures a bit allowing a bit more of the details to be seen. I think the pips could be made a little smaller to accommodate this without sacrificing game play.

I don't need blinged out tuck boxes but I believe this design would definitely benefit from embossing and a bit of foil. For me poker sized cards with quality texture/feel are essential. I always encourage creators to show faith in their projects by producing the best quality deck from the best printers they can. It takes more effort and expense but if the first project is not quality, some may ignore later efforts because of it. I personally will not buy a deck printed by MPC or WJPC. I'm just a small (mud) fish in the collecting world but that just means I have to be more selective in what I buy.

Your theme and art are great. With a few changes and a quality printer, these would be a no-brainer (assuming a price of under $15 USD for me). There are lots of schemes for funding on KS but if the basic product is not quality, none of them matter. Thanks for sharing with us and best of luck

Thanks a lot for the feedback, I truly appreciate. I'd look it and share a revised version as soon as im done.
Regarding the claustrophobic feeling (boxes being too small) it could be because this is a bridge size deck illustration. For poker size, the width is quite larger allowing more space. I'm definitely switching to poker size in the new edition and I'd factor in what your critiques.

Thanks again for the feedback, I truly appreciate.

[niyomax85]

Hi Osaze,
i would love to share with you about Gakondo and assist you in any way so that you can have your deck on kickstarter.
i decided to produce them my self and launch an e-commerce website so that the cards enthusiasts industry could be able to buy them.

Since our location is not allowed to kickstart on kickstarter.

DM Me on Instagram and we can take talk in details.

hope i've answered you .

good day.