Links to the top playing card designer’s sites

[RandCo]

Here is a reference list of the best playing card designers. All of the designers listed here have successfully Kickstarted multiple decks or produced multiple decks for playing card publishers.

If you are working on or considering designing your own custom playing card deck, look at the work of these artists first. Really analyze what you like most about each designer’s work.

One thing all of these designers have in common is a professional level of illustration. Playing card “design” is almost a misnomer, there is more “illustration” involved in a good custom playing card design. You don't have to be a professional illustrator to create a successful card design, but you should refine your artwork to as high a level as possible.

Some of the common aspects of their design and illustration are consistency in style, consistency of line weight, use of the entire card surface without weak areas, and proper use of the indices.


Here is the list of links to the designer’s and studio’s sites in alphabetic order. There are a few others I wanted to include, but they didn’t have a functioning website.

Blackout Brother - http://www.blackoutbrother.com
Randy Butterfield - http://midnight-cards.myshopify.com
Paul Carpenter - http://encarded.com
Alvin Cheung - http://www.sishouplayingcards.com
Tyler Deeb - http://tylerdeeb.com
Jody Eklund - http://www.blackinkplayingcards.com
Lorenzo Gaggiotti - http://www.stockholm17.com
Sam Hayles - http://www.dose-productions.com/playing-cards
Emmanuel José - http://emmanueljose.com
Scott King - http://www.crookedkingscards.com
Roman Kotiv - http://noir-arts.com
Lotrek - http://www.halfmoonplayingcards.com
Lee McKenzie - http://cargocollective.com/kenzii
Giovanni Meroni - http://www.thirdway.it
Steve Minty - http://www.steveminty.com
Chris Ovdiyenko - http://deadonpaper.com
Jackson Robinson - http://kingswildproject.com
Mark Stutzman - https://www.behance.net/markstutzman
Joe White - https://www.behance.net/yeoldestudio

Studios:
Brain Vessel Studios - http://www.bvcargo.com
Edgy Brothers - http://edgybrothers.com/Edgy_Brothers/Home.html
Joker and the Thief - http://jokerandthethief.net
Erik Mana & Alvin Campana - http://www.manaplayingcards.com
Pocono Modern - http://shop.poconomodern.com
Uusi - http://uusi.us

Of course there are many very good designers who have created one custom deck, these designers have produced multiple decks. If you think I missed someone, post a link to their site.

[ecNate]

Thanks, I should make sure we have all of these represented with proper websites on Portfolio52 as well. I haven't been very good about adding new ones lately with a few exceptions.

BTW, here's the list of artists and production companies listed there.

[RandCo]

Thanks, I should make sure we have all of these represented with proper websites on Portfolio52 as well. I haven't been very good about adding new ones lately with a few exceptions.

BTW, here's the list of artists and production companies listed there.

How have I not seen Portfolio52.com before. A great reference source for designers to check out.

[daveEdgerly]

Edgy Brothers
http://edgybrothers.com/Edgy_Brothers/Home.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RandCo]

Thanks for the reminder Dave. I thought you were on the list, missed your site when posting somehow. I added you to the Studios section. I like your new Select deck, good luck on the Kickstarter.

[daveEdgerly]

Thanks!

[ecNate]

Alex Chin - http://www.seasonsplayingcards.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Natalia Silva - http://nataliasilva.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Karina Eibatova - http://eika.work" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Robert Tomlinson - http://www.tomlinsoncards.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Shane Tyree - http://www.shane-tyree.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

4pm Designs - http://4pmdesigns.webs.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Albino Dragon - http://albinodragon.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Noir Arts - http://noir-arts.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Virts - http://thevirts.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lee's primary site (just not updated - perhaps add as 2nd link) - http://www.kingsandcrooks.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Same for Mark Stutzman - http://www.markstutzman.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sprouts1115]

Maybe this needs to be on "Knowledge Base"