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Graphic Design & Illustration

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Futuristic Bestiary Playing Cards

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I conceptualized and designed the “Futuristic Bestiary” deck of playing cards, choosing a theme that blends mythological creatures with a futuristic vision. The deck, focusing on the diamonds suit, features the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Joker, each card depicting legendary beings such as Leviathan, Hydra, Dragon, Chimera, and Griffin. I used geometric shapes to enhance the futuristic theme, creating a modern representation of these mythical figures. The challenge was to effectively use a limited four-color palette to maintain visual cohesion and impact as well as successfully convey the theme through my illustrations.

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Graphic Designer, Illustrator

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Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop

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6 weeks

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My illustration skills were something I often second-guessed, and this project was a challenge to step out of my comfort zone. The initial sketches marked a challenging start. My early attempts were imaginative, yet they didn’t fully grasp the futuristic theme I had envisioned. Recognizing this, I knew I had to revisit and realign my designs more closely with the project’s futuristic vision. In the bottom row of my refined sketches, the order showcases the Hydra, Dragon, Leviathan, Chimera, and Griffin, in contrast to the more varied sketches of these creatures in the first two rows.

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Restarting the sketches was both a challenge and a revelation. It wasn’t just about drawing; it involved rethinking the composition of each card and ensuring consistency in size and theme across all illustrations. This stage taught me the value of persistence and adaptability in design. I reordered and refined the creatures, with the new lineup showcasing the Griffin, Chimera, Hydra, Dragon, Leviathan. Each iteration brought me closer to a design that felt right.

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The final sketches involved significant changes, including a complete redesign of the Leviathan to match the other characters, and minor tweaks to the Griffin and Hydra. Adding color to these sketches is always a highlight for me. It brings the designs to life, showcasing them in full vibrancy and aligning with the theme.

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Working on the back side of the cards was a thoughtful and deliberate process. I knew I wanted to create a pattern, but the challenge lay in selecting shapes that were both visually appealing and aligned with the futuristic theme. Each iteration brought me closer to understanding the right balance between aesthetics and thematic consistency. The final design I chose resonated well with the theme, seamlessly integrating with the face cards to complete the overall look of the deck.

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The full deck is displayed here in a single layout on the cards themselves, showcasing the culmination of the project. The case design, like the cards themselves, went through several revisions, balancing functionality with aesthetic appeal. The final design harmonizes with the futuristic theme of the deck, employing geometric styles and the bold color scheme that complements the mythical creatures represented on the cards.

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Tackling the Futuristic Bestiary project was a real eye-opener for me. I’ve never considered myself an illustrator, and to be honest, I’m still warming up to the title. However, this project highlighted my capability to stretch beyond my perceived limits. The project evolved significantly thanks to constructive feedback and criticism. These inputs helped in refining and sharpening my vision, ultimately enhancing the final look of the face cards and the case design.
Along the way, I learned a valuable lesson about the importance of archiving the evolution of design elements. While I’ve generally been good at saving my work, there were certain aspects of this project where I didn’t save interim versions, and that oversight has made me realize what I’ve missed. It’s taught me to keep each iteration, not just the broad strokes.

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