Bicycle Lucent by Sean Whelan - KICKSTARTER LIVE !

[SeanWhelan]

Don't worry shipping will be covered : D This is my gift to everyone who pledges

[sprouts1115]

this is barebones shipping with a little meat. damn spell check.

[Aaron]

I really hope this deck gets funded, it looks awesome and Sean puts alot of work and consideration into his decks.

I think maybe a couple more add-ons would be alright, like a poster and maybe like a gold-seal deck for collectors or something. porper clips could be a good idea or skateboard decks also look cool.

Also it may not be the best time to be trying to get a deck funded, with christmas and everything.

good luck sean!

[SeanWhelan]

Thanks Aaron for that!

First off: Promotion is now over! Thank you so much to everyone who pledged and purchased more decks. Please share the kickstarter link so that the goal will be met!

Second: I'm really not a big fan of add-ons but it's really going to help bring people in then by all means I'll do it.

Third: This time of year was perfect to launch a project. Its the holiday season so people tend to use their credit cards more : P

[Strag]

this is barebones shipping. your taken a little meat for him. shipping is a smurfette. starting to learn it sues.

Is this English?

[BMPokerworld]

this is barebones shipping. your taken a little meat for him. shipping is a smurfette. starting to learn it sues.

Is this English?

LOL

[sprouts1115]

50% with 14 days. what can he do to drum up support. http://www.kicktraq.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is kicktraq good?

[Frequenter]

Pledged! Enjoying the purple - nice to finally see those courts in some royal colours!

[SeanWhelan]

Really surprised that this didn't do so well as I expected. O well no biggy I guess. I will be re-launching this sometime next month and do it again just like I did with the Galvanics. I will be getting prototypes done for the t-shirts and charms to showcase what the final product will look like. I will also be adding more items for rewards since that seems to be the new trend now on Kickstarter : /

Just really surprised because my prices were so cheap, especially for international backers.

[UtterFool]

That is rather defeatist.
You still have 10 days left

[alvinhy]

Its a shame when a lot of time and effort is put by designers in a deck and does not get funded

according to kicktraq it seems its not gonna get funded.


May there be miracles~~

[Strag]

I think it's gonna be tough. I think one of the problems is the look itself. Because it's done rendered, I don't know if it looks "real" enough for people. This was one of the reasons I didn't pledge for Galvanics (but I would get them know having seen actual photos).

For better or worse, the decks that are getting funded have more updates, and lots of "fluff" which, as we have all stated, are really not part of the decks but does help the funding.

I really want to see this one get made.

[sprouts1115]

52% to 51%. Damn. all i know if i can get Strag to buy one of my decks i have a good system. that guy is picky. i wanted this one to succeed. i backed it.

[SeanWhelan]

Thank you to everyone who pledged during the course of this project. Unfortunately, goal was not met this time around. The good news is though I will be re-launching this again next month. Just like my Galvanic deck, I'm sure it will get funded during the second time frame.

I am going to go back to the designs and re-touch up on the back design, ace and court cards. On top of that I will be adding a lot more rewards for everything since that is the trend now on Kickstarter.

My intentions was to make another dream come true by creating a deck of playing cards, not have a store with little stuff based off the cards. But since that's what everyone is looking for now, I will step up and meet everyone's expectations.

Thank you again for pledging and be sure to follow me on the Lucent Facebook page to see the new designs in the next few weeks! : D

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

Sean Whelan
3D Artist

[walrus]

Hey Sean, I was bummed to see you did not close the deal. I agree with you, when I back cards on KS I am only interested in the cards. I have seen some pretty good shirts but I can live without all the "fluff". I think if you make yourself a bit more active here it may help in your next run. This is an active community so people are probably more apt to watch your work. I think a little retooling of the Lucent deck will serve you well. It may make me increase my pledge. I think the deck may be a little to quiet and lacked pop, if that makes sense to you. I have no doubt they will handle great as did the Galvanic. I am in no way saying the Lucent is bad, I really like, I am just saying reworking it a bit may move it to the next level. I do not know if that makes sense to you. Alright, I am looking forward to the next run. If you would like I am willing to sign a few decks for you. You can add them on a higher level. Good luck.

[SeanWhelan]

Thanks walrus for the feedback. You always help when it comes to that. You pointed out a few things which I want to fix.
Much like the Galvanics, I will so back and make the designs pop more. Here is what I have planned:
- redo the corner designs on the back
- redo the court cards entirely but using the same color scheme
- redo the background designs on the ace of spades
- refine each pip design
- touch up on the jokers

I will also be getting t-shirts made, charms, etc to show pics of the physical look of each reward. Another thing I noticed (I might sound crazy here) but I placed the project in the wrong category. When Galvanic was first active it was on one category then during the second time I changed it to something else (At the moment I can't remember which ones they were in). Lucent was placed in the Graphic Design category this time but after viewing other projects, I want to place it in the "Tabletop Games" the second time around. This looks like it'll have more web traffic on Kickstarter.

Starting now I will be a lot more active on these forums, not just responding to my threads. Believe it or not I refresh this site like 50 times a day haha I'm addicted. I'm one of those who loves to be on a site but never responds to a topic. However, starting now that will change and I will respond back with my thoughts. Your right on that one. I see myself on this site everyday but not everyone see's me respond. You have to give to receive.

Thanks!

[neongrey]

Honestly I think it's less to do with extra swag (though I can't imagine having some stuff hurts) and more to do with getting the word out-- think of the decks that really knock it out of the park, they're not just going after the card enthusiast market, they're spreading their nets as wide as they can. I think getting the deck out to the right ears will help make sure that lots of people hear about it, and you were priced at a level that'll get a lot of those passers-by chipping in.

It's a solid deck so I'm sure it'll make it next time.

[Encarded]

If I do another campaign, I think I will consciously choose to just do cards. These projects to are way too complex now (with dice, posters, shirts, boxes, art, coins, clips, chips and more), with too much focus taken off the cards. Maybe we can start a reverse-trend and get back to basics.

[alvinhy]

If I do another campaign, I think I will consciously choose to just do cards. These projects to are way too complex now (with dice, posters, shirts, boxes, art, coins, clips, chips and more), with too much focus taken off the cards. Maybe we can start a reverse-trend and get back to basics.

I only put poster for extras for my project. Too much hassle if you have a lot of fluff items to give

[4pmdesigner]

Honestly I think it's less to do with extra swag (though I can't imagine having some stuff hurts) and more to do with getting the word out-- think of the decks that really knock it out of the park, they're not just going after the card enthusiast market, they're spreading their nets as wide as they can. I think getting the deck out to the right ears will help make sure that lots of people hear about it, and you were priced at a level that'll get a lot of those passers-by chipping in.

It's a solid deck so I'm sure it'll make it next time.

Agreed. You look at decks like 8-bit which hit a high number but had a ton of extra stuff including multiple decks then look at Pedale that hardly had anything and the proof is in the numbers. A good design that's well marketed will sell, period. Everyone could argue what decks they think are good or bad, but that's all opinion. The facts are in the numbers. You can't expect a design to sell itself, that's a bit over arrogant and destined to fail. No one is above a little hustling. If you truly believe in your project, hustle the hell out of it. If people are willing to back a lunch box with your design, then pimp it. Not willing to put in extra card related stuff yet focusing on a charm which has absolutely nothing to do with playing cards is a bit hypocritical. Pride doesn't pick up the bill, At the end of the day it's about getting your cards made. You got a good deck and I too was pretty surprised it didn't do well. But there's a lot that could've help push it. Art and business are two very different things. Do the work, and it will show. Good luck next time around!

[BMPokerworld]

I have to agree with both Encarded and 4:PM designs. I think people will buy a deck they like without all the other items. They just muck everything up and make it harder for the creator to make a profit on their deck.

Thanks!

[DukeBoy]

The only extra I have ever bought was the art print that was built into the pledge on CoC. And they were not able to ship it to me unless I paid an extra $4 or had it folded to fit in an envelope. I am not a fan of all the extra stuff I collect decks. If I found an item I thought I would use reguler basis I might go in for it. but everyone keeps making the add-ons so specific to the deck that the add-on would be out of place when not using that deck.

[SeanWhelan]

Thank you everyone for the feedback! It just blows because this time had no real "fluff" yet still failed. Maybe it was just bad timing with the holidays and all. I'll go back and refine the artwork and launch in a few weeks. I'll listen to your advice and Ill make the goal $10,000 and no rewards at all pretty much. Just straight out playing cards.

[walrus]

Sean, do you think that will work. Your audience on KS will be larger than us. I also do not care and actually would prefer not to have the fluff but I think a lot of people who pledge on KS expect it. I hope I am wrong, I hope the Lucent will speak for itself.

[Russell]

make the fluff separate than the decks... as add-ons or whatever.

Problem solved.

[SeanWhelan]

This is kind of on topic yet off. I created a thread in the General area about comics. Besides collecting playing cards I also enjoy comics every since I was a kid. I'm thinking as a nice reward to a kickstarter project (lets say the Surge deck in the future) would be my Galvanic comic cook series. I'm hoping to get these printed and released this year. Would be an amazing add-on in my opinion

[jmrock]

I truly admire your persistence... However, I have to say that I am not a real fan of the original Galvanic, nor of the Lucent... And if I'm being honest, the comic seems quite amateurish... I don't want to come off as disrespectful, because again, I do respect your drive, but I seem to be the only one on here that will tell you that perhaps you should consider spending your time working on other ventures or studies... All the best...

[SeanWhelan]

jmrock no hard feelings at all man. Galvanic to me is just a story that I would love to get out by any means necessary.
I'm still going to push for this dream of getting this out there. If it fails or goes no where then by all means I will lay it to rest.
The more I strive for my goal the better I'll be at it. Trust me I thought the Galvanic deck was going to flop but I pushed and people helped me out by backing that project.
Its my passion that's all. I enjoy doing this : )

[jmrock]

Hey, you never know... Wouldn't I have put my foot in my mouth if I flip on TV one day and there's the preview for Galvanic: The Movie... Good luck... Perhaps some art or design classes may help your cause...

[Sinsandman]

I'm kinda with Rock on this one. I think you're a good guy and have massive persistence. Galvanic is not in my collection and I didn't pledge this one...just not my style. What story can be said about a robot that hasn't already been told? Typically the robot takes on human like qualities, has a self evolved higher ai...ect ect. As far as the Lucent goes, it was flat and blah. If you do a major overhaul I may jump aboard, but I don't see that happening. But, that does not speak to my opinion of you as a person. Like I said, I think you're a cool cat.