Magna Carta - Alex Chin

[vasta41]

Would love to hear any additional thoughts on light texture vs. no texture.

Texture? You want a thought on texture? Here's a thought- I could care less because I'm too distracted by one of the best Aces I've ever seen.

[Maddest Hammer]

The frog says it all

[sinjin7]

Would love to hear any additional thoughts on light texture vs. no texture.

Texturing/aging can be appropriate in certain instances, especially if it fits thematically. Other times designers use texturing more like a gimmick or a crutch. You have a very modern aesthetic, so I would expect you to keep things very clean. However, I think its very interesting that you're blending your modern touch with a classic design like this. It's also very interesting that your distressing was a direct pull from the actual Magna Carta. My preference would be to keep it clean with no texture, but very lightly if you ultimately opt for it.

[nECr0MaNCeD]

Would love to hear any additional thoughts on light texture vs. no texture.

Texturing/aging can be appropriate in certain instances, especially if it fits thematically. Other times designers use texturing more like a gimmick or a crutch. You have a very modern aesthetic, so I would expect you to keep things very clean. However, I think its very interesting that you're blending your modern touch with a classic design like this. It's also very interesting that your distressing was a direct pull from the actual Magna Carta. My preference would be to keep it clean with no texture, but very lightly if you ultimately opt for it.

I couldn't have said it better. I would still love to see this deck clean without distressing but I am also intrigued by your method and have total confidence that you possess the talent to pull off the distressing so..... I reiterate my earlier thought. 1 "clean" standard and 1 "distressed" LE. Or vice versa as you see fit.

[ecNate]

I'm also in the anti-faux aging camp, but I think this is one time it could work, especially the way you have done it and if you also made it slightly lighter. HOWEVER, the design behind the indicies AND the aging make it too much and almost distracting. I would suggest going with one or the other, but I also like the idea of 2 versions (provided the tucks are also different and as a stretch goal).

Either way, I'm in, great work as always Alex. Do you have a time yet for Aug 4th?

[LouCipherr]

That is one of the most eye-catching Ace of Clubs I have ever seen.

[ecNate]

So Alex just posted on Facebook that the official date time is August 11 4:00 CDT now

n order to provide the best possible product we can, our official launch date is moved to August 11 4:00 CDT. Until then, enjoy the Royals deck based on the crest of King John. ‪

He also mentioned the shared photo below is for Royals, but previously mentioned Rebels. Does that mean this will be a 2 deck set, I assume with same faces (possibly different colors like Seasons), but different backs (earlier Rebels one showed a sword and missing here)? Certainly with new tucks too???

[bamabenz]

Alex,

That Ace of Clubs is very, very elegant. I'm struck by the difference in your artwork vs. the imagery normally associated with the Magna Carta -- much cruder line work, lots of primary colors.

I think one way to marry the two is to keep your linework but add more primary colors to the courts -- go beyond the red and gold palette on the QoD.

I do like the idea of keeping one version clean, adding texture to the other version. Hopefully you'll add the texture to the more expensive version I'm in for a couple of bricks of the clean deck.

edit: Can you share what the white-backed deck will look like?

/bama

[hikeeba]

It's a puppy dog with lions for ears!!

[IAmTheChin]

He also mentioned the shared photo below is for Royals, but previously mentioned Rebels. Does that mean this will be a 2 deck set,

Yes! I believe in series to tell the story of the deck. To tell this story I split the decks up into the Royals deck (black) and the Rebels deck (white) so you can "choose a side" which I thought was a fun idea.

I do like the idea of keeping one version clean, adding texture to the other version. Hopefully you'll add the texture to the more expensive version I'm in for a couple of bricks of the clean deck.
edit: Can you share what the white-backed deck will look like?
/bama

After a bit of testing I am most likely going to be making the Royals deck "clean" and the Rebels deck "textured". It's still not solidified but I think you'll be happy to see though that the texture is barely noticeable though. It's more colored than anything. I haven't gotten to polish her up yet but it'll help give you an idea Bama.



I'll be posting the Rebels deck this week so stay tuned!

[sprouts1115]

IAmTheChin - Doesn't that Queen beg to have her crown complete. Break some rules...

[JacksonRobinson]

I really like these alot. The only thing that bugs me is the scaled and transparent corner elements. I like the idea but I think it would more effective if the elements were designed specifically for the corner rather than just taking another element and scaling it or bleeding it off the page. Great work as always though Alex!

[sprouts1115]

Jackson - As long as the transparent corner element is the same for the court, pips and Jokers it doesn't really matter. To me, the element that bleeds off is like a another border for the indices to overcome.... He makes it work.

[bamabenz]

I do like the idea of keeping one version clean, adding texture to the other version. Hopefully you'll add the texture to the more expensive version I'm in for a couple of bricks of the clean deck.
edit: Can you share what the white-backed deck will look like?
/bama

After a bit of testing I am most likely going to be making the Royals deck "clean" and the Rebels deck "textured". It's still not solidified but I think you'll be happy to see though that the texture is barely noticeable though. It's more colored than anything. I haven't gotten to polish her up yet but it'll help give you an idea Bama.

I'll be posting the Rebels deck this week so stay tuned!

I really like the way these decks are shaping-up.
I hope you are going with USPCC again -- if so, are you planning to incorporate a bit of the magna carta itself on the ad cards?

/bama

[ecNate]

FYI - https://www.facebook.com/events/1608916186028286/

Join us in celebrating the 800th anniversary of the the Magna Carta with our limited edition deck release of Royals vs. Rebels. Today the Magna Carta is the foundation of liberty and democracy in many parts of the world. This deck series was created to honor and celebrate this momentous document

These decks are gorgeously illustrated in a foundation of elegance that you've come to expect from Seasons. Be sure to check out more pictures in our Facebook stream and sign up with our newsletter to be notified via e-mail!
https://www.facebook.com/Seasons/photos_stream

Be sure to join this event to be notified with a live link at launch so you don't miss out! We hope to see you on launch day!

[IAmTheChin]

I really like these alot. The only thing that bugs me is the scaled and transparent corner elements. I like the idea but I think it would more effective if the elements were designed specifically for the corner rather than just taking another element and scaling it or bleeding it off the page. Great work as always though Alex!

Thanks JR! Warm and fuzzy feelings all around The design was actually meant to compliment the shoulder areas and does especially well with the Jokers which feature the King's round seal. But I see what you meant and redid the configuration. I was playing around a lot with the design and decided the best way to approach this was with mirroring corners from the pips to help balance the image out. I also opted out from the bleed to make it better for performers.

I really like the way these decks are shaping-up.
I hope you are going with USPCC again -- if so, are you planning to incorporate a bit of the magna carta itself on the ad cards?
/bama

Great to hear Bama! The cards will be with USPCC. I actually originally wanted the Magna Carta on the deck itself so if you had an uncut it would form the full Magna Carta. But that made the card really dirty looking. The cards are actually going to be clean now. The box is really elegant and I'm proud of it. I didn't want it to be weird pulling out an off-colored deck from a radiant white box. Probably doing some fun gaff cards this time around so I'm thinking maybe interior printing of the box itself.

Image of the Rebels deck and new CC layout here:

[IAmTheChin]

Here's a peek at the mural I worked on for this project. It's based on probably the most famous image of the Magna Carta signing. I took a few artistic liberties with it incorporating my own personal view of how it would have looked. Overall though I'm pretty happy with it and hope you guys will like the real thing this Tuesday!

[IAmTheChin]

2 days until the release! Here's a peek at the jokers and the boxes.




Stay updated with our event page and get the live link at launch: https://www.facebook.com/events/1608916186028286/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[IAmTheChin]

Tomorrow the Magna Carta campaign launches at 4:00CDT.

This is a full look at the Rebels deck. So many of us collectors start out with facing decks but as our collections grow we begin to stack them like books. Personally my shelf looks the same way. For this launch I really wanted to make a deck that stands out instead of just having a title or a factory name. These decks are made to stand out in any collection shelf by featuring the people of the Magna Carta signing and becomes a great way to pay tribute to such a momentous event. A Royals figure was illustrated on the left and the Rebels figure was illustrated on the right so that you're literally "Choosing sides". Each side was made to look great stand alone but also looks amazing in a set so that every collection makes a cohesive image.

[sinjin7]

I love how you always come up with innovative designs for your tucks. I do have some reservations about all that negative space on the front of the tucks, but hopefully you'll have some embossing or something else to compensate for the emptiness. Please allow me to offer early congratulations on another spectacular deck.

[Cbkimble]

I really like seeing designers do innovative designs because it almost forces other designers to begin doing the same thing.

[ecNate]

Agree with sinjin, the front needs more detail. I love that you are focusing on the sides and helping those that display in that fashion. It's awesome, but in this case it's at the expense of the front. I still and I'm sure always will display the fronts, this is disappointing. Please consider improving the look on the front too.

The cards look great so will probably be in either way, but please do us fronters a favor and make some tweaks.

[volantangel]

Looks like I'll have to get a minimum of 4 to get the complete picture ! Rebel, Royal, Royal, Rebel. Now I'm hoping the top and bottom of the box would have some connecting elements as well !

[IAmTheChin]

It's only now that you guys mention it that I noticed the texture blown out in the picture. Don't worry guys, I actually really did focus on creating the deck as you see it. The negative space actually has some subtle vertical pin striping across the front and back. (You can sort of see it in the black deck. I'll fix that picture up more).

Lately it's been feeling that foil is the front and center option, and while it's so much fun it's seemed like embossing hasn't really gotten it's chance in the sun. Angles that display embossing textures really well are almost always different than the lighting angles of foiling. The idea behind this was that as the lighting changes , certain deck areas of foiling or embossing would be "activated" to result in a dynamic looking deck. To really bring out the embossing in full effect it does need a bit of breathing room from foil. Don't worry, the corner suits are still embossed as well, but I wanted to make sure that the embossing areas in the negative space really had a chance to flourish.

The pinstripes were based on the pleating on knights back then. Here is a mock-up:


I hope this helps address that negative space issue! I'm pretty proud of the deck and hope everyone likes it!

-Alex

[bamabenz]

Elegant.

/bama.

[th4mo]

Tomorrow the Magna Carta campaign launches at 4:00CDT.

4:00 AM or PM?

[sms69x]

Tomorrow the Magna Carta campaign launches at 4:00CDT.

4:00 AM or PM?

PM

[jodyeklund]

Alex this really looking sweet! I am looking forward to the launch today! Good luck!

[nECr0MaNCeD]

F5 ...F5... F5... F5... F5...F5

[ecNate]

Those updated photos with greater clarity do show it much better. Thanks. I'm still a bit sad the edge gets such details, but your other decks were simple elegance so actually this is the best layout for it. I do like it and looking forward to it. Great work as always Alex!