The Seers Magus: current look

[Seers]

Hello, I hope you guys can leave some helpful feedback for me, I have always liked this site, you guys are brutally honest! I am glad I have signed up!

The back design has been a main focus of mine during lockdown and I have been trying to make something that you can be proud of, I think it may have been getting there, but I don't know.

The tuck box face features some slightly more classical elements of tuck boxes on more standard decks because I think it really fits this style for the Magus.

The back of the tuck box features the back design with a border, this is something I had seen on other decks and I really liked it, but because we mainly do cardistry decks I had been unable to implement this as of yet, and I am glad I have had the chance now!

I have tried to keep the deck simple in its design in order to improve the believability that it is a standard deck, however, the tuck box does feature a 6 of spades reveal on the flap on the left-hand inner flap. This can't be seen in the renders but it's there I promise...

So what are your thoughts on the Magus as it is now, obviously this just shows the back design and the tuck box but I hope there's something good to be said about it!

[Fes]

I was getting lost with the color combination on the card back specifically. So I did what anyone should do when looking at something like this, Greyscaled it. Then of course, punched it from the other side and looked at it in negative so I can see it clean both ways. Used the tuck because of that blur stuck on the render of the card backs. I had to do this because there's something i don't like about the card back and I needed to understand what and why I didn't like it. I like Seers, they're in my collection, so it wasn't in my mind a natural dislike.

It's the card back that I don't much care for visually. I don't like how it feels to my eyes. Something isn't quite right and if something isn't quite right then my eyes feel like I want to look at something else. Anyway, the negative space on the card backs center is an issue for me. It's a large void with a moon sun and star. It's still a void. Meanwhile you have contrasting shapes wreathing the Seers eyes top vs the twisty loop kind of rope elements left and right. From there it's more largish areas of negative space with a rocket looking thing and some.. It doesn't matter. My eyes quit being happy and want to look at something else. I feel like things should be closer together so there's more of an even flow. Smoothing the overall feel out with more detail may help.

The face of the tuck, the center element and the upper portion of the design in particular is structured in a way that performs better visually. It's clear and distinct in a pattern without too much negative space between the lines and dots and ovals. My eyes like that order. The negative space is used better and it feels much better to me. I find myself thinking this would make a much better card back with the large seers eye dead center and all that scroll going on with whatnot radiating forth.

Color is subjective and some may like while others may not. Never been much of a robins egg blue kinda guy myself, I live in the desert the sky is blue almost every day of the year, I'm saturated. Colors though, it's all good. Some people consider Olive drab highly fashionable for example. Visual interest is another thing entirely something is a bit off on the card back. In my opinion it's not a good thing when my eyes want to slide off the thing I'm looking at. Anyway, hope that my comment helps. Not trying to beat you up or anything I see a lot of effort all over the images.

[Harvonsgard]

If you want input on your deck design the deck drafting section would be the more fitting place for your post. The new&custom section is for already existing or short to be released decks/Kickstarters. Maybe a mod wants to swing her/his magic wand .

For the deck design; Fes is spot on with the pretty void center. I would change that aswell. Babyblue, as we call it here, isn't my favorite colour, too. I know that darker blue hues are overdone since, they are besides red the classic back design colour, but I still prefer then over pastel blue, unless the pastel blue really elevates the design or fits the theme; which I would say isn't the case here.

[theCapraAegagrus]

There is an E deck that this looks all too familiar to.

[Harvonsgard]

There is an E deck that this looks all too familiar to.

Is it black'n red?

[theCapraAegagrus]

There is an E deck that this looks all too familiar to.

Is it black'n red?

Black and white, IIRC. Can't remember the name.

[Seers]

Hello, didn't realise I need to look at this post in order to see the comments assumed they would turn up in my notifications, sorry if I've arrived a tad late!

As for Fes's response, I just looked at the back and agreed on the dead space in the centre now really annoys me, I can't believe I hadn't noticed it! I shall play around with it and see what happens, who knows maybe it will be a bit better for having been played about with. I really like blue if you can't tell from this deck, England generally has a grey overcast sky and only in summer do we get a clear blue, this decks colour scheme was derived from our summer skies, so I would really like to keep it as that, hope that doesn't become a point of hatred for this deck... I think I would like to stray from standard reds and blues when we do another magic deck, but for this one I would like to keep the old blue. I think it does suit this deck and as you said I think colour is highly subjective, whilst I like blue I hate bright lime green, it just irks me, I really don't know why... Nonetheless I thank you for your contribution, I will be sure to post an updated back design if I can make it a bit more filled out. If you could suggest any specific colour you would like to see I would be happy to post a render of it in that colour for critical review from you.

As for Harvon's comment I am really new to what goes where on this website, I am sorry that I posted this in the wrong place I will post in the draft section next time. Once again if you would like to reply with a colour you would like to see I will happily render it and put it in a post for you to critique.

As for Capra, I haven't seen an E deck which looked like this one? I started designing it last year and have been playing with it slowly, I should expect whilst it may be influenced by cards I have seen I don't look at E too much anymore as over the last couple of years I have not had the time to buy cards... I am not sure if that has benefitted my wallet or not but I certainly have a smaller card collection due to the amount I play with vs the amount I buy. Also, Saxon and I really liked your comments about the Seers V1 and the Aspectu V1, they were blunt and really made us smile because it was like having another Saxon, if he dislikes something he says so! Thanks for your feedback.

Thanks for your comments and time, Jason.

[james001a]

The color is nice, the font is too digital looking for the theme

[Kage X]

There is an E deck that this looks all too familiar to.

Is it black'n red?

Black and white, IIRC. Can't remember the name.

Sleepers?

[Seers]

Hi James, just goes to show preference, I also like the blue. I think the font is too digital, I thought I had changed it to a curly cursivey font but obviously not, I meant to, thanks for pointing that out

[Seers]

Sleepers?
[/quote]

I just looked them up, I was not aware of these cards... I shall try to differentiate the Seers from these as much as I can.

[Harvonsgard]

I am really new to what goes where on this website, I am sorry that I posted this in the wrong place I will post in the draft section next time. Once again if you would like to reply with a colour you would like to see I will happily render it and put it in a post for you to critique.

No worries at all, no need to apologize. It was just a FYI. Mods can move threads so no worries.

As mentioned a darker blue tone would be more fitting imo. I like the contrast of a dark navy (like a dark night) and the open eyes. A dark orange might fit aswell but I would avoid reds to not draw to much similarity to AoP's Memento Mori deck.

[Seers]

Thanks for the understanding, generally I would like to avoid doing orange for something else, I think it's a bit too much, but I can do a darker blue.

[Fes]

I don't think it's just a case of color shifting. If you ask opinion again the first thing I'll do after taking a solid look is once again grey scale and look at the design as best as I am able. I really like the image on the upper half of the tuck face. Has a nice eye feel to it. I'm looking forward to seeing what changes you make. I think you're accepting the points we've mentioned and are taking a nice objective look at the design. Where you go with it and how it evolves, I think this is the interesting and fun stuff. Definitely have a nice start and the direction you're going in is a departure from your recent decks. Exploring it is a good thing.

[Seers]

Hello! I have retouched the design and shall share some pictures here now, I have also tried some new colour themes, leave any thoughts below please! I hope this is a better attempt, I have tried to make a good contrast between minimal and classical, it's a balance that I think I have done well to keep. Hope you like them!

The retouched back design but with the original colour theme

[Fes]

I like the improved design dead center. It helps a lot with the negative space. Bright blue with white lines is a nice combination in my opinion. Some small changes can help add focus and flow for your eyes. I think the design is looking much better. Consider taking a moment to objectively look at the lopsided flying envelope looking thing near the northern and southern dots. The balance there is off and that close to a dot it stands out a bit. The bars on the sides of the card north and south of the mountain, is good for overall card balance.

Nice direction you're headed in. Will you refine more? Are you finding it a more pleasurable design to your own taste and is it still moving in the direction that you wanted to create? Questions that don't need answers. Just questions to ask in general. I do like the progress!

[Aces_Rye]

I really like the original color in the first post, primarily that muted blue. It gives the deck and tuck case an interesting look instead of typical bright, bold colors... looks kinda vintage or something.
I have your other Seers decks, but the color of that tuck case would def make this one my favorite.

[Harvonsgard]

I really like 2 and 3. That frosted look is nICE.

[shermjack]

First I would like to say that its great that the creator is engaging with the community and has taken the comments and suggestions given to heart.

I personally still like the color scheme of the first version with the revised back. 2 and 3 remind me too much of Kevin Ho's Skateboard deck and 4 makes me think of E's Green Keepers, even though the back is different.

Anyways, keep up the good work, I look forward to seeing the final design.

[Seers]

Hello Shermjack, I still like the original colour scheme as well, I think we will continue to use it. It has been fun playing with the colours on it especially because it just requires a quick swap not a whole redesign of parts of the deck, I have enjoyed doing that as well though.

I will attach some pictures of what I think we will go with and await your feedback.

Thanks,

Jason

[Seers]

Here is a tuck with a more relevant font.

What are the thoughts on this colour scheme?

[Fes]

Color is always going to be subjective so I never try to focus on that. Personal preference is always going to have a huge impact. I remember one kid when I was in school who didn't like candy canes, not because of the flavor, because of the red and white stripes. Yea, crazy right? I thought so, then again I am forever the fat kid and have always liked the occasional candy cane.

This font change is nice. I'm digging on the tuck and I'm still quite fond of the tuck face. White lines adds so much to the color and the drama of the tuck. Font change absolutely refines it.

[Seers]

Thanks a lot for your kind words, I really like the white I think it is a more subtle and classical style, let's hope people like it!

Here's a render of the new back:

[Harvonsgard]

Great improvements imo.

Odd idea - I think the back is better the way it is right now but how does it look, if you tilt the eyes 90 degrees!?
[👁👁]

[MagikFingerz]

Great improvements imo.

Odd idea - I think the back is better the way it is right now but how does it look, if you tilt the eyes 90 degrees!?
[👁👁]

Like a cat that's been watching way too much TV?

[Seers]

Great improvements imo.

Odd idea - I think the back is better the way it is right now but how does it look, if you tilt the eyes 90 degrees!?
[👁👁]

I feel that doing that would make the deck look weird, I am in fact terrified by the idea but because you asked!
Like this:

Why?

[shermjack]

This should be a gaff card

[Seers]

This should be a gaff card

Please no... I will do anything...

[Harvonsgard]

Hahaha, love it. Thanks for doing this. It looks so odd, in a positive way.
Sherman ! It would be a fun double backer .

... the more i look at it the more I tend to prefer it over the actual back design. Aaaah, don't mind me

[Seers]

I am not so sure it should be but maybe?