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The artists for the UC2017 Fifth Annual Decks is Edgy Brothers, Dave & Chris, and the deck name is "Avant-garde", an Art Deco deck following our very successful Art Nouveau (& Bourgogne) decks by Karin Yan of Bonafide Playing Cards.

Here are some renderings, as well as the announcement of the Kickstarter campaign launch date, which will be 8-October at 5PM EDT / NYC time.
The first deck is the blue back deck, and the sketch goal is the (UC lime) green back deck, shown here as it would appear foiled, as in the Ultra Limited Edition deck yet to be specifically named, but similar to the Gran Reserva deck last year.
The plan is to use their standard courts for the blue back deck and the Royal House courts in the green back deck. Everything is still subject to change depending on the feedback here, so let's get started.

I put a little "you're right chach" note on the SWTWC #2017 & #2018 thread, because he's also correct that Rick Davidson of New Zealand will be doing the UC2018 Sixth Annual Decks.

Anything specific has yet to be worked out, he's very busy with his follow up "History" of the UC 2014 Deck of the Year "Origins".

I like it. We'll get our Edgy Brothers cancelled/failed SELECT finally.

Green Royal House courts will look great too.

Thanks for sharing Mike. As one of those screaming loudest for a proper art deco deck, I must say this misses the mark for me. There is way too much circles and arcs going on for a classic art deco style, it's closer to art nouveau with some art deco elements. Yeah, I get they share a lot of style elements, but there are few straight lines or waterfall styles here that evokes that classic art deco feeling. The font also while it fits the bill, starts with an A that is too stylized and closer to art nouveau which sets the wrong tone right off the bat. Plus, outside of the tuck, card back and ace the style is lacking across the entire deck. This is largely due to the use of semi-standard courts that for me are a huge disappointment and the custom courts on the special edition are a step in the right direction, the biggest issue will probably be cost. Perhaps when more is shared I'll change my mind.

Overall it's a solid deck one doesn't mind semi-standard courts or paying a (likely premium) for the special edition, the main issue is the theme isn't right for me.

Good luck anyhow, I'm sure it will do well.

Thanks, Nate! As always, a deck is previewed and the artists listen to feedback. The use of the EdgyBros standard courts for the blue version is a direct follow-up to their Select deck, and my request that we use the Royal House courts on the second (UC lime) green back deck is again - like we did last year - avoiding the cookie cutter process of recolor decks done by too many people these days.

Dave will be listening, pretty much the point for having the discussion here for nearly three weeks before launch on Kickstarter, and I am sure some adjustments will be made.

Personally I love the look and looking forward to seeing it develop. What I'd really love to see for the UC version is foiled / Metaluxe backs. That'd be the bee's knees, the cat's meow and the dog's bollocks all rolled into one.

Also looking forward to Rick's work for 2018.

chach wrote:Personally I love the look and looking forward to seeing it develop. What I'd really love to see for the UC version is foiled / Metaluxe backs. That'd be the bee's knees, the cat's meow and the dog's bollocks all rolled into one.

It's likely a stretch goal for foiled and/or spot IV on the backs. Almost certain that those will be used on yucky, so let's see how it rides.

I'd love to see it, really! We're thinking foiled backs for the Ultra Limited Edition decks, but haven't really been given a thumbs up to doing a partial run with foiled backs, so maybe it will work out either way?

It's done as a separate pass - hot stamped foils, so seems reasonable to me that it would be a doable thing.

Really liking the look of that tuck and the royal house courts. And very happy to be on the team myself Guessing thats a gold foil on the blue. Foiled backs seem to be the in thing at the moment - out of interest, what's the general feeling on their handling?

First, I would like to say what a genius I am for mentioning this first: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7464&p=101493&hilit=select#p101493" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Secondly I'd like to point out I was lied to!

Mike Ratledge wrote:Well, I agree that should have funded, but I am already in discussions with one of our artists about UC2017, and due to a similar circumstance(s), I don't want to vary the course.

All kidding aside I'm super psyched for these and I hope there's some kind of perk this time for being a UC member.

Which printer are we using?

I like the front of the tuck! I am not too crazy about the backs, I think it is not enough Art Deco like.

The courts are good but I would like more to have completly new courts.

Great choice

I thought this deck was very good from the first time I saw it, I'm happy it will have another chance to get funded.

Good luck!

Hello all,
In an effort to make the standard courts more special, I've done some shading and coloring without changing the original designs. We plan on printing with EPCC

I personally like it A LOT. As long as the green version has custom courts then we get the best of both worlds!

Great job on the courts! Really like the new changes!

I want those courts (even though they are "standard") on the green foiled deck. Love them! And yay on EPCC.

The revised standard courts look awesome! Keep up the great work!

Great work. Homerun.

Shading = winner!

Very unique custom playing cards i have ever seen with nice design and look.

So, I ask this every year it seems but what (if any) perk(s) are going to be set in place for UC members?

I agree with Paul. We've had early release and such. I think this year we should try an UC exclusive.

RickDavidson wrote:Foiled backs seem to be the in thing at the moment - out of interest, what's the general feeling on their handling?

The technology of foiling the backs of cards have definitely come a long way. Handling for the purposes of magic or card games (such as poker) is just fine for either EPCC/LPCC or USPCC decks. In terms of cardistry, there definitely is a difference between EPCC foil and MetaLuxe from USPCC.

When an EPCC deck is foiled, they appear to utilize a stamping technique, so you can actually see and feel the pattern of the foiling through to the front side of the card. EPCC does a good job with the finish over the foil on the cards, so the negative impact on fans and spreads is minimized, but it's still there. Foiled EPCC decks will fan/spread slightly worse than non-foiled decks. Perhaps the physical irregularity caused by the stamping also contributes to the slight fanning/spreading degradation. But this is camouflaged to a degree by the fact that some of the various types of EPCC finishes tend not to fan super smoothly or evenly in the first place.

As for the USPCC, there is virtually no difference in performance between MetaLuxe foiled deck and a non-foiled deck. I don't know how the foil is applied to USPCC decks, but there is no stamping or textural effect from the application of the MetalLuxe foil, the cards are smooth and retain the free and even slip that the Air Cushion/Magic finish is known for.

MPC also makes a foiled back deck, but they intentionally texture the cards with raised UV printing over the foil (perhaps to mask the foil stamping). They look good, but the handling is sub-par and I wish they would come out with a foiled deck without the raised UV printing to see if the handling improves.

I agree with sinjin. I think everyone knows my preference for LPCC/EPCC over USPC (wish they would work on their registration issues!), but MetalLuxe is the way to go for foiled backs.

This appears to be a rebrand of Select Playing Cards? Sorry, I'm unaware of the history behind UC Annual decks and was under the impression that new concepts and designs make the cut for Annual decks.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/21 ... escription

Nothing against Edgy Brothers as well. I've seen the work and it is great but Select Playing Cards campaign failed for some reason. I do hope that reasons of the campaign not reaching the goal were looked into, and with UC backing this time around, I'm sure that Avant-garde will be a success.

guru wrote:This appears to be a rebrand of Select Playing Cards? Sorry, I'm unaware of the history behind UC Annual decks and was under the impression that new concepts and designs make the cut for Annual decks.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/21 ... escription

Nothing against Edgy Brothers as well. I've seen the work and it is great but Select Playing Cards campaign failed for some reason. I do hope that reasons of the campaign not reaching the goal were looked into, and with UC backing this time around, I'm sure that Avant-garde will be a success.

I think it's a tip of the hat appreciation to the Edgy Bros. who twice tried to get this deck to the public but failed. The new shading is incredible as is the color change on their successful Royal House Kickstarter deck courts UC stretch deck.

I don't know UC's deck design history either but want to see both succeed too.

Last UC deck, Nouveau, was also launched and failed twice before coming into Mikes hands (advice). And look at it now, new campaign (bijoux), same topic and going strong.

jsantafe wrote:Last UC deck, Nouveau, was also launched and failed twice before coming into Mikes hands (advice). And look at it now, new campaign (bijoux), same topic and going strong.

Was not aware of this and it does sound good. Third time's a charm. It does speak about UC being a great brand as well.

Coming on five days - now with glorious foil!

vasta41 wrote:So, I ask this every year it seems but what (if any) perk(s) are going to be set in place for UC members?

...so nothing?

We will definitely be doing something special for UC members. We are working on that this week.