Prelaunch - The Graphic Cheat Sheet Playing Cards / KS 25th AUG

[CardCollectiveCo]

Hi Everyone,

First time posting here (new to the community) and just want to put this project out there to see if there is any interested as we are currently finalising the design and since we've been looking at it for so long, we'd like to get some thoughts from a pair of fresh eyes in case we missed anything critical. Looking to launch 25th August on Kickstarter.

Its not fully finalised so would like to hear some thoughts on where we can improve.

Kickstarter Preview Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ca ... n=d27967ea

In a nutshell:

• Graphic Designers Toolkit integrated into a deck of playing cards

• Features brainstorm cards, color coded cards, reference cards, ruler cards

• Printed by Cartamundi

• Fulfilled by Gamblers Warehouse

If interested, please make sure to follow us on @colorcollectiveco for the latest updates.
Sign Up Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ca ... ying-cards


The Graphic Cheat Sheet - Playing Cards

[rousselle]

There have been a few other color wheel decks (as well as typography and design decks) in the past. Some good, a few not-so-good.

I kinda like these. I think they hold their own. I'm a little disappointed in the lack of representation from the green and orange contingent, but I get why.

If the price is right, I'm likely in for a pair.

[Thirdway Industries]

Very nice, this may be really handy to have when designing stuff.

Especially I'm interested in the colors, it's relatively complicated find a good CYMK catalogue - I had to buy a €80+ book when I was designing Betrayers for have a clearer idea about how colors would look when printed. This is the book for the ones interested > https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/880813 ... UTF8&psc=1

I suggest to include also thinner lines. I often use 1 pt for my "thick" lines and 0,5 pt for my "thin" lines, so see from 0,1 to 0,9 may be useful for super-detailed designs.

Thanks from a fellow designer

[CardCollectiveCo]

Not sure how to respond in these forums but I'll use the method below.

@rousselle - Thanks for the comment, we tried to stay pure with the CMYK values and honestly did play a long time around with the colors! We are still working out the pricing and doing our best to keep prices down so its not a financial burden during this pandemic.

@Thirdway Industries - Very constructive comments, thank you. We are just waiting for the mock up to arrive (from MPC) and I am eager to see how it all turned out with the line weights and colors. We will definitely consider the thinner line weights too (although not sure if many will be able to see the thinner ones ).

[Thirdway Industries]

Not sure how to respond in these forums but I'll use the method below.

@rousselle - Thanks for the comment, we tried to stay pure with the CMYK values and honestly did play a long time around with the colors! We are still working out the pricing and doing our best to keep prices down so its not a financial burden during this pandemic.

@Thirdway Industries - Very constructive comments, thank you. We are just waiting for the mock up to arrive (from MPC) and I am eager to see how it all turned out with the line weights and colors. We will definitely consider the thinner line weights too (although not sure if many will be able to see the thinner ones ).

As far I know, 0,3 points is visible, I've used it sometimes
I never dared to use 0,2 or 0,1 so far - I agree that those two might be not visible.

[theCapraAegagrus]

All I'll say is that these are unplayable.

[brownsl]

I agree with @rousselle about the lack of green, not sure why though green is not represented well.

Regardless, I really like this deck and will be pledging.

[Fes]

A lot of thought is being put into this campaign, will be fun to see it evolve. I certainly applaud your efforts! I really like that you've included some of the story about how you came up with this deck. That's a cheerful story, it makes me smile. I am not sitting here considering how it came to be at all, you've filled it in and I love that. It enables my suspicious (of KS campaigns) mind to relax a bit because I see good strong effort and a story that makes sense, good things. How'd you come up with this? "Pulled it out of a hat"

Effort on the deck is easy to see, it's all over the cards. Solve a problem and accomplish your goal with a classy design that's easy on the eye. Solid information on the face cards with interesting design elements to make it more than just a color swatch, while being a color swatch. Only a couple difficult to distinguish cards (10oH, 30D) due to the hue's involved, not bad at all. Brainstorm cards are brilliant fun for any creative person. The ideas laid out there in an easy mixy match way, solid idea. Took it a step further though and added in some great design elements for a stable cardistry back. A lot of thought and looks like a lot of time in lay out. This is good effort!

I'm a fan of more traditional pips myself but I can understand these ones fine. Perhaps a bit overly simplified but when you're on a roll designing. Well I say keep on that roll and keep on designing. These Pips popped out and that's cool. I like the jokers too, useful for folks. I wonder what you are considering for stretch goals. A clear measuring tool may be a cool and useful stretch goal.

[CardCollectiveCo]

All I'll say is that these are unplayable.

Appreciate the comment, curious to hear your thoughts on what can be improved/tweaked to bring this to a more playable deck. Gets a bit tricky when we try to balance out the tool/utility function vs the playable function. Maybe we are missing a small detail that could switch your thoughts about this deck? We'd like to be able to have these types of discussions here so we can find a resolution for both worlds as best as possible This is what got us motivated actually, getting more than just a set of standard playing cards.

[CardCollectiveCo]

A lot of thought is being put into this campaign, will be fun to see it evolve. I certainly applaud your efforts! I really like that you've included some of the story about how you came up with this deck. That's a cheerful story, it makes me smile. I am not sitting here considering how it came to be at all, you've filled it in and I love that. It enables my suspicious (of KS campaigns) mind to relax a bit because I see good strong effort and a story that makes sense, good things. How'd you come up with this? "Pulled it out of a hat"

Effort on the deck is easy to see, it's all over the cards. Solve a problem and accomplish your goal with a classy design that's easy on the eye. Solid information on the face cards with interesting design elements to make it more than just a color swatch, while being a color swatch. Only a couple difficult to distinguish cards (10oH, 30D) due to the hue's involved, not bad at all. Brainstorm cards are brilliant fun for any creative person. The ideas laid out there in an easy mixy match way, solid idea. Took it a step further though and added in some great design elements for a stable cardistry back. A lot of thought and looks like a lot of time in lay out. This is good effort!

I'm a fan of more traditional pips myself but I can understand these ones fine. Perhaps a bit overly simplified but when you're on a roll designing. Well I say keep on that roll and keep on designing. These Pips popped out and that's cool. I like the jokers too, useful for folks. I wonder what you are considering for stretch goals. A clear measuring tool may be a cool and useful stretch goal.

Thank you for your indepth analysis It seems like you fully understand this project head to toe lol. Currently we are still figuring out what the stretch goals are which best suits this deck, but your transparent measuring tool is a cool idea! Open to opinions also, it helps to find out what the community usually looks out for or are interested in.

[theCapraAegagrus]

All I'll say is that these are unplayable.

Appreciate the comment, curious to hear your thoughts on what can be improved/tweaked to bring this to a more playable deck. Gets a bit tricky when we try to balance out the tool/utility function vs the playable function. Maybe we are missing a small detail that could switch your thoughts about this deck? We'd like to be able to have these types of discussions here so we can find a resolution for both worlds as best as possible This is what got us motivated actually, getting more than just a set of standard playing cards.

The color swatch idea detracts from suit/pip recognition. Most people won't have 'fun' trying to read them. I don't think I can offer any solutions. It's just an idea that doesn't translate to playing cards. It's more of a novelty than anything else.

[vasta41]

All I'll say is that these are unplayable.

Appreciate the comment, curious to hear your thoughts on what can be improved/tweaked to bring this to a more playable deck. Gets a bit tricky when we try to balance out the tool/utility function vs the playable function. Maybe we are missing a small detail that could switch your thoughts about this deck? We'd like to be able to have these types of discussions here so we can find a resolution for both worlds as best as possible This is what got us motivated actually, getting more than just a set of standard playing cards.

The color swatch idea detracts from suit/pip recognition. Most people won't have 'fun' trying to read them. I don't think I can offer any solutions. It's just an idea that doesn't translate to playing cards. It's more of a novelty than anything else.

I never thought I'd say this in a million years but I agree with 2pc. 100%.

[CardCollectiveCo]

All I'll say is that these are unplayable.

Appreciate the comment, curious to hear your thoughts on what can be improved/tweaked to bring this to a more playable deck. Gets a bit tricky when we try to balance out the tool/utility function vs the playable function. Maybe we are missing a small detail that could switch your thoughts about this deck? We'd like to be able to have these types of discussions here so we can find a resolution for both worlds as best as possible This is what got us motivated actually, getting more than just a set of standard playing cards.

The color swatch idea detracts from suit/pip recognition. Most people won't have 'fun' trying to read them. I don't think I can offer any solutions. It's just an idea that doesn't translate to playing cards. It's more of a novelty than anything else.

Thanks for clearly outlining the concern there, will test some things

[theCapraAegagrus]

The color swatch idea detracts from suit/pip recognition. Most people won't have 'fun' trying to read them. I don't think I can offer any solutions. It's just an idea that doesn't translate to playing cards. It's more of a novelty than anything else.

I never thought I'd say this in a million years but I agree with 2pc. 100%.

You've done it before.

[CardCollectiveCo]

Here's an update with photos of the prototype we ordered from MPC. (for those of you who haven't been following us on IG - @colorcollectiveco)

Pretty happy with the results! From now until the launch, I'll be busy working on the video and photos for the campaign.
Any comments, please share.

[Harvonsgard]

I like the idea and execution of this deck. If I would be a graphic designer I would definitely pick up a brick to gift them to my fellow colleagues. Unfortunately I'm not - so, there won't be any financial support coming from my side.
I wish you best of success with the campaign though.

EDIT: That said, it's fancy and colourful enough to maybe find some friends amongst cardists as well.

[JacksonRobinson]

I really like this deck! Really interested in it as a tool.

Because it is meant to be a tool I have a few specific questions that are gonna make me sound really nerdy but are very important to this deck being usable.

1. Are all the RBG colors used within the CMYK safe window?
2. What color profile are you and your printer using for these colors?
3. What type of finish will be used on the paper as it will affect the value of the colors?
4. How are you post matching the colors with your color profile after printing to ensure the accuracy?

Apologies if my questions bore anybody.

[guru]

I really like this deck! Really interested in it as a tool.

Because it is meant to be a tool I have a few specific questions that are gonna make me sound really nerdy but are very important to this deck being usable.

1. Are all the RBG colors used within the CMYK safe window?
2. What color profile are you and your printer using for these colors?
3. What type of finish will be used on the paper as it will affect the value of the colors?
4. How are you post matching the colors with your color profile after printing to ensure the accuracy?

Apologies if my questions bore anybody.

Thanks Jackson for asking this as I'd one of the question in my mind as well as a potential resolution. Given that finish or embossing plus varnish can affect the color value, my recommendation would be to try 2 prototypes of this deck...one with normal linen finish and second with smooth finish to compare n contrast. This could have already been tested and validated, so apologies just in case...

[CardCollectiveCo]

I really like this deck! Really interested in it as a tool.

Because it is meant to be a tool I have a few specific questions that are gonna make me sound really nerdy but are very important to this deck being usable.

1. Are all the RBG colors used within the CMYK safe window?
2. What color profile are you and your printer using for these colors?
3. What type of finish will be used on the paper as it will affect the value of the colors?
4. How are you post matching the colors with your color profile after printing to ensure the accuracy?

Apologies if my questions bore anybody.

Hey Jackson,

First of all thanks for the interest!

Those are quite technical questions, please see my response below:

1. Are all the RBG colors used within the CMYK safe window?
We work in Illustrator and we enter in the CMYK code and RGB respectively from the color panel with eyedropper tool, therefore it is a direct comparison of each other. Not sure if that is what you mean? Would be great to know if this is the correct method or if there is a more accurate way to do this? As I am not too sure what you mean by safe window.

2. What color profile are you and your printer using for these colors?
We export from Illustrator as Document CMYK - Web Coated FOGRA28 (ISO 12647-2:2004), Output as press quality PDF, I will have to check our printers settings (Cartamundi) and revert back to you what they are using. Out of curiosity is there anything specific I should request from Cartamundi in regards to find out their color profile?


3. What type of finish will be used on the paper as it will affect the value of the colors?
We'll be using True Linen B9 Finish, will check with Cartamundi if it affects the value of the colors.

4. How are you post matching the colors with your color profile after printing to ensure the accuracy?
Very good question, Cartamundi have professional printers and we do trust that they will print accurately, and our prototype from MPC is in a very similar linen finish which gives a fair comparison which should cover most of the color inconsistencies. To match the color profile, I would actually like to ask what the best method would be. At the moment I can only match to CMYK color book which is on different paper stock and printed on a different printer. Is there a way to compare color accuracy apples to apples?

Coming from an Architecture background, my knowledge of colors does not go so indepth when it comes to printing! Super grateful you brought this up and I am hoping you can shed some light for me in regards to what are the best methods to ensure color accuracy as it definitely interests me and I'd like to make it right to make this deck as usable as possible. Once I get that knowledge, from here on out I can ensure all our future decks will all be color accurate! Looking forward to hearing your suggestions.

[CardCollectiveCo]

I really like this deck! Really interested in it as a tool.

Because it is meant to be a tool I have a few specific questions that are gonna make me sound really nerdy but are very important to this deck being usable.

1. Are all the RBG colors used within the CMYK safe window?
2. What color profile are you and your printer using for these colors?
3. What type of finish will be used on the paper as it will affect the value of the colors?
4. How are you post matching the colors with your color profile after printing to ensure the accuracy?

Apologies if my questions bore anybody.

Thanks Jackson for asking this as I'd one of the question in my mind as well as a potential resolution. Given that finish or embossing plus varnish can affect the color value, my recommendation would be to try 2 prototypes of this deck...one with normal linen finish and second with smooth finish to compare n contrast. This could have already been tested and validated, so apologies just in case...

Hey Guru,

Thanks for interest!

Due to the minimum order quantities from Cartamundi, it will be unfeasible to just have 2 decks made with different finishes. As mentioned above in my response to Jackson, it would be great to hear back from professional graphic designers what is the best method to match colors. Different printers print differently on paper, so I'd be interested to really get to the bottom of this on how to make sure what we are getting out from Cartamundi is indeed color-friendly for designers.

[CardCollectiveCo]

Hi Everyone,

Just a kind reminder that our KS project is now live on Kickstarter!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ca ... ying-cards

[Fes]

Yea I stumbled in all by accident since I didn't know what time. Backer No. 21, I think it's a good number. Best of luck.

[Fes]

This campaign is doing well. Funded and stetch goals are being achieved. Looks like they're thinking about a green deck as well. A "green kickstarter" edition, update #2.

My opinion on it is, it's cool if you dig green. I do dig me some green don't get me wrong. I have loads of green Erdnase decks. This WIP one reminds me of a self healing cut mat though. If they can wriggle in some way to make a green deck more charming it would be interesting. Time will tell what they come up with it's pretty clear though that a second deck wasn't really thought of prior to the campaign. Makes me wonder why they'd want to do one during the campaign when the deck the actual campaign is for is so good.

[Fes]

The green deck is now unlocked. They've made some mistakes with shipping prices on a couple tiers. Updates 4 and 5, be sure you check them out if you're a backer as they may effect you. I know some folks out there are like me and don't read updates all the time. (just too many of the things after a while, campaigns add up it is not singular after a certain point.)

[CardCollectiveCo]

The green deck is now unlocked. They've made some mistakes with shipping prices on a couple tiers. Updates 4 and 5, be sure you check them out if you're a backer as they may effect you. I know some folks out there are like me and don't read updates all the time. (just too many of the things after a while, campaigns add up it is not singular after a certain point.)

Thanks for sharing the update Fes
Here's an image of it for anyone that may be interested!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ca ... ref=ecb35c