Bicycle Lucent by Sean Whelan - KICKSTARTER LIVE !

[SeanWhelan]

Take me to the Kickstarter campaign....




http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/129 ... ted-by-usp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


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Hey Guys!
First off I apologize for not really being active on the boards. I do however visit everyday to check the post and see whats going on in the playing card community. I just don't have the time to respond back as often as I would like.

As most of you know I am the creator/designer behind the Galvanic deck that launch on Kickstarter a few months back. I have plans on releasing a sequel to that deck call Surge and will be the counter part to the storyline. However, do the amount of work is involved in the trailer (yes there will be a 5 min 3d animated trailer that shows and explains who the Galvanics are, how the Surges were created and what will come of the future : D ) I have chosen to release a whole new deck before hand. The Surge will be released early in the year.

Now Lucent is a whole new deck on its own. No storyline attached, just good old fashioned design. I have plans to hit Kickstarter some time next month after I talk to uspcc.

Here are some images to show you what I've been working on and would love some feedback!

Here is some answers to your questions:
- fully custom deck (pips, back, ace, joker, tuck etc etc)
- WILL be a Bicycle deck (however if I get enough feedback and pledged It will be a deck of cards all on its own)
- 2500 deck print run
- Magic Finish and Aristocrat Stock
- Amazing rewards that have never been done before on a playing card deck : D


*Side Note* The color scheme is off due to online web colors and the back design middle ribbons are not supposed to look all messed up like that
Thanks!
Sean Whelan
3D artist

( click on these pictures for much larger versions that you can zoom in on )

[max]

Hello Sean!

I like this design very much.

Wishing to see it on KS.

Best wishes

[Strag]

Looks good. I'm confused by this statement though;

- WILL be a Bicycle deck (however if I get enough feedback and pledged It will be a deck of cards all on its own)

On its own? Is it a Bike deck or not? Sorry, but I'm just easily confused.

[max]

I understand Sean plans to make a Bicycle branded deck but if the deck is widely welcomed, he is considering to make a deck without "Bicycle" on the box

Please, Sean, make it as Bicycle!!!!!

[Encarded]

Oddly though, it costs more to make a Bicycle deck than an unbranded one, so I don't imagine that decision will be very dependent on how much pledging the deck gets...

[BMPokerworld]

Oddly though, it costs more to make a Bicycle deck than an unbranded one, so I don't imagine that decision will be very dependent on how much pledging the deck gets...

I don't think that is odd. You are paying for brand strength and brand recognition. That is why it cost more.

Thanks!

[Encarded]

Oddly though, it costs more to make a Bicycle deck than an unbranded one, so I don't imagine that decision will be very dependent on how much pledging the deck gets...

I don't think that is odd. You are paying for brand strength and brand recognition. That is why it cost more.

Thanks!

I was mainly referring to the statement from Sean that if there was enough demand for the deck he'd remove the Bicycle branding. That seemed somewhat backwards to me, as usually we see that once a deck reaches a certain success on Kickstarter they add that branding because they have the money to do so.

[Russell]

I assume Sean is thinking like this:

Would the LTD deck be as sexy with a giant BICYCLE logo on the front of the box? Nope.

[BMPokerworld]

Oddly though, it costs more to make a Bicycle deck than an unbranded one, so I don't imagine that decision will be very dependent on how much pledging the deck gets...

I don't think that is odd. You are paying for brand strength and brand recognition. That is why it cost more.

Thanks!

I was mainly referring to the statement from Sean that if there was enough demand for the deck he'd remove the Bicycle branding. That seemed somewhat backwards to me, as usually we see that once a deck reaches a certain success on Kickstarter they add that branding because they have the money to do so.

Again, I don't think it is odd because it cost more. I assume he will use this as one of the stretch goals.

Thanks!

[Sharpie]

Oddly though, it costs more to make a Bicycle deck than an unbranded one, so I don't imagine that decision will be very dependent on how much pledging the deck gets...

I don't think that is odd. You are paying for brand strength and brand recognition. That is why it cost more.

Thanks!

I was mainly referring to the statement from Sean that if there was enough demand for the deck he'd remove the Bicycle branding. That seemed somewhat backwards to me, as usually we see that once a deck reaches a certain success on Kickstarter they add that branding because they have the money to do so.

Again, I don't think it is odd because it cost more. I assume he will use this as one of the stretch goals.

Thanks!

That's why this is odd. Sean says he will take away the Bicycle brand if he gets enough interest (ie - money), instead of adding it as you would expect.

So far, this deck would need the Bicycle brand to peek my interest.

[BMPokerworld]

I don't think that is odd. You are paying for brand strength and brand recognition. That is why it cost more.

Thanks!

I was mainly referring to the statement from Sean that if there was enough demand for the deck he'd remove the Bicycle branding. That seemed somewhat backwards to me, as usually we see that once a deck reaches a certain success on Kickstarter they add that branding because they have the money to do so.

Again, I don't think it is odd because it cost more. I assume he will use this as one of the stretch goals.

Thanks!

That's why this is odd. Sean says he will take away the Bicycle brand if he gets enough interest (ie - money), instead of adding it as you would expect.

So far, this deck would need the Bicycle brand to peek my interest.

Ahhhh!!! Got it now. My bad.

Thanks!

[Evan]

The back design is nice and simple but I think it needs something more.

[DelMagic]

Without much significant artwork at the edges/corners and the subdued colors, spreads and fans may be modest.

[Ryric]

The back design is nice and simple but I think it needs something more.

I like the subtle faded grid (Tendril/Aurum and others have used a similar effect). I do wonder how the edging is going to be implemented - are the grids going past the border to allow for slightly uneven cuts?

Would be interested in seeing some models or test deck of the back design on a physical product, but I think I like the understated / delicate appearance (think a proper border might screw that up).

[alric]

The back design is nice and simple but I think it needs something more.

Without much significant artwork at the edges/corners and the subdued colors, spreads and fans may be modest.

I have to agree with these statements. I love a clean, simple design, but you might have a little too much negative space in your back design, maybe a few simple embellishments would help.

[SeanWhelan]

Thank you so much everyone for the positive and honest feedback.

Just so clarify things though, this deck WILL be a Bicycle branded one. My heart and sole has always been in Bicycle when it comes to playing cards. However, if I get enough feedback or request then I will take the brand off the box and make it its own line of playing cards.

I wanted to go with a simple yet elegant style with this deck and I hope I proved it with the ace as well as the back design. I would love this deck to have a white border.

Now a question for you guys: I plan to do something no ones done yet with a playing card project and I hope this will be a successful one.

How many of you would be interested in pledging for a necklace charm?

[Evan]

I'd have to say no to the charm. I know you want something original, but dice seem to be very successful alongside decks!

[DelMagic]

Anything jewelry-ish is a no-go for me.

[MJF]

Only thing extra I ever pledge for in terms of deck is prints or dice. Jewelry, clothing, bottle openers, cd's, coasters, etc... just doesn't do it for me.

[Strag]

T-shirts: Rarely, has to be a very good design and I prefer one that is card/court focused (not back design etc).
Cover coins: love 'em!
Chips: Meh, needs to be amazing
Dice: No thanks
Clips/Boxes: Sometimes, again needs to be amazing
Custom brick boxes: Don't usually buy bricks, have only ever gotten for Bohemia

[CBJ]

Since most card collectors are male... I think the charm is a bad idea.

[Encarded]

In my experience so far, it's quite clear that people want the cards. And that's about it.

Cards, rare versions of cards, signed cards, cards in display boxes, cards with certificates.

Things like art prints, dice, coins, etc will appeal to a few folks (more if the items are cheap) and can be beautiful little creations on their own, but they seem best suited to limited production. Aside from the Eco clips, which proved decently popular, most of the other secondary items I've had sell in quite limited numbers. Even uncut sheets appeal to a small collector audience, as beautiful as they are.

[neongrey]

Since most card collectors are male... I think the charm is a bad idea.

Honestly even as a woman, that particular charm doesn't do much for me. I don't think the concept is terrible, but what I like in an add-on seems to be different from what literally everyone else does.

[kc62002]

Since most card collectors are male... I think the charm is a bad idea.

Honestly even as a woman, that particular charm doesn't do much for me. I don't think the concept is terrible, but what I like in an add-on seems to be different from what literally everyone else does.

Agree completely! I don't mind dice..as long as they're not 4-10 bucks for a pair. now that everyone is trying to do something different in terms of add-on rewards, you're seeing some stuff that is just...not working. I say no to charms/jewelry/key chains/luggage tags..(a la ellusionist). I can't think of anything else at the moment. I'll post again if i can think of anything else or suggest an idea.

As for the deck itself, the back need corner embellishments in MHO. I don't really like the AOS at the moment.

[SeanWhelan]

Official Facebook page has been created! Looking to launch on Kickstarter Dec 15th!

http://www.facebook.com/LucentPlayingCards" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would love for all of you to follow me throughout this experience. Will be updating the page frequently and will start to give away prizes once it has enough likes : D

[Evan]

The back design looks a lot better, and I like the new color!
I just think that fans will be plain white since there is no design close to the corners.

[SeanWhelan]

Have you been following the facebook guys? : D Updated the back design and fixed the issue with spreads! Here is a very quick render to show the corners will be visible.

[alric]

I'm really liking the back design! However, that is not nearly enough of a design element in the corners to make fans look good. If you want to cater to cardists, you have to have some bold designs/colors both in the corners, as well as down the sides for attractive fans & spreads.

I wouldn't sacrifice your vision of the back design just for cardists because the back is beatiful as it is, you just won't have a go-to deck for cardists, but collectors will still love it. If you can incorporate bolder design elements in the corners and sides and still maintain the integrity of your design esthetic, then that will be icing on the cake and your deck will be desireable to a broader demographic. Good job so far and good luck!

[SeanWhelan]

More images revealed on the facebook page! Be sure to like it to see future reveals: http://www.facebook.com/LucentPlayingCards" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SeanWhelan]

Mock up design has now been uploaded to the facebook page : D
Court cards will be revealed within the next week

http://www.facebook.com/LucentPlayingCards" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;