BlackTales Playing Cards is an intriguing deck conceptualized by graphic designer, Eduardo Mendez currently funding on Kickstarter. Over a year in the making, the deck is Eduardo’s take on the traditional playing cards using pirates elements as the theme. The deck is VERY well thought out with well-proportioned lines, enhanced pips, beautiful colors and gorgeously illustrated courts, all while keeping the traditional elements of playing cards in place. Eduardo told Kardify,
I wanted to give the community a deck with a hidden history behind, and at the same time preserving the traditional elements and design of playing cards. This is the first of many decks which will be a more personal, but full of mysteries.
Here are 5 things you didn’t know about BlackTales Playing Cards:
1. The Essence is in the Name
The design process is a combination of many things. At first, Eduardo wanted something that would represent the work behind, as this deck was completely done during the night. Edoardo said, “Due to my day job at the agency from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, then being father and husband from 6:00p.m. to 11:00p m, BlackTales was conceptualized, created and developed during 1 year of work only from 11:00 pm. to 3:00am- 5:00am, within those hours of darkness, peace, silence, fatigue, reflection, even madness. Born the essence of these cards, dark, mysterious, barbaric, basic and then with the idea of pirates and the history behind, the name BlackTales would fit the deck perfectly.”
2. Looking for a Style
To start off, Eduardo looked for a style that would represent the main idea of the deck. He researched designs, experiment with different styles- realistic, modern, minimalist and pop amongst many. “I realized that the more I wanted to be unique, the closer I got to the majority of fully custom decks. I realized that there are few decks that have a specific style and maintain the original design of a deck of cards. With this, created an intriguing design that pays tribute to the traditional design.”
3. The Hidden History of the Origin of Playing Cards
Immediately the idea of the story came to my mind, taking that little confusion of how and where the cards were born, that for those who are not very familiar do not know their origin, “I wanted to fill that gap with an attractive story, full of historical facts but using the sea, magic, cheating, and pirates as backdrop. As a finishing touch, we have the BlackTales deck as a representation of the cards created and used by pirates 400 years ago.”
4. The Pirates
The deck is very well thought out. Each card includes a character within the history of BlackTales. Each suit is represented by a group, each with its own distinct personality and how they use a deck of cards.
+ Hearts. Born pirates, lovers of the sea, and of their beauty. Use cards to create figures and movements representing the sea and the stars.
+ Diamonds. Assassins, silent, sometimes barbaric. Use cards as a lethal element, perfect and accurate.
+ Clubs. Ambitious, greedy, lovers of gold. Use cards to bet and gamble.
+ Spades. Lovers of navigation, intelligent, found in the cards are elements of deception. Card manipulators. Makes card appear and disappear in front of your eyes.
5. Living as a Pirate
To immerse themselves in the world of pirates, Eduardo and his two best friends Bastian Besnier, history writer and Matias Cuevas, musician, and composer, lived 3 days under the stars on the beach accompanied by a good bottle of rum during the concept stage. “That was a huge experience, there we also started the recording of the video that today you can see on my Instagram account.”
BlackTales will be printed by the USPCC with Linen Finish. The deck is currently 94% funded with 21 days to go. If you’ve like what you read here and would like to support Eduardo, head to the Kickstarter page here! Pledge start at $12.
