First Look: Enigma Playing Cards by Enigma Cards

Launching NOW on Indiegogo are the Enigma Playing Cards. Produced by Enigma Cards based out of Monterrey, Mexico and founded in 2007, is currently Mexico's largest playing card retailer. Founder Héctor Pérez Bejarano has built the company with a passion for cardisty and magic.

We strive to give the best experience possible to our clients when they are looking to buy playing cards, and in this journey we set a challenge to ourselves, how could we reimagine a deck of cards different from what is available right now. 

Enlisting the help of Anagrama Studio, a world-renowned Mexican design team know for their work on architecture and branding, Enigma was presented to them as a challenge.

We were looking to create a deck that would set itself apart from any known deck available in the current market, using elements not commonly used in playing card designs but at the same time we wanted this deck to be our presentation card to the international world of card collecting, magic and cardistry.

The concept of the deck is based on the definition of the word Enigma, a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence. The goal was to bring the "Definition" to the deck without an overly complicated design.

The back design uses horizontal traces to maintain and enhance the movement and flow of cardistry moves. It also suggests the idea of a riddle, a labyrinth, some might think there is something hidden in it. At the same time the back design produces an optical illusion were the spectators brain might try to fill in the empty spaces between the horizontal traces enhancing the decks presence when performing.  

The court cards have been designed with the same minimalist approach as the box, stripping down all the “heavy” elements from the court cards and making them simple and sleek.

The ace of spades it's our mascot, the all seeing eye embedded in a big spade that is being pierced by 2 swords. It's the only eye in the whole deck (all the court cards are missing their eyes).

Enigma is being printed by The Expert Playing Card Co. and single deck rewards start at $14.00 (Includes FREE shipping to the US and Mexico). The project will also have a few stretch goals attached to it, including, embossed tuck box, full custom court cards and a custom seal. Included in the campaign will be some awesome "Enigma" add-on's such as shirts, close up pads, coins and a few other special items.

Enigma is a bold, retro project and we appreciate the time and information Héctor has given us. We would also like to acknowledge the entire Enigma team for their hard work and dedication to this project.
+ Co-founder: Claudia Sepúlveda
+ Design Team: Maria Rosa Pérez Bejarano
+ Operation Managers: Jose Luis Cantu Gonzalez, Noe Cantu Gonzalez and
+ Sponsored Cardists: Raul Torres, Luis Faz, Fran CG and Saúl García has given us.

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Card Radar: Calavera Playing Cards by Cartamundi

In 2015, the Calavera Playing Cards by Cartamundi was unveiled as part of a lifestyle-branded playing card decks aimed at the teenage and young adult market and retailed for £3.99.

The Calavera deck is a rather minimal approach to the day of the dead theme, a traditional Meso-American holiday dedicated to the ancestors; honoring both death and the cycle of life.

The bold eye-catching graphic elements and vibrant colors accentuate the theme and the uniqueness of the deck.

According to designer Jirs Huygen,

This is why we chose to do this deck, as one of the first custom decks for Cartamundi. The design is based on the colorful papeles people make as decoration for the day of the dead. I chose the minimal approach because the lightness of the cardboard is a perfect balance to the bold black sugar skull figures and bright colorful elements that make up the imagery on the court cards.

The deck is fully custom, from the card backs to the Aces, pips, to the bold courts and jokers. This distinctive deck is now available from amazon.de.

Deck View: Sons of Liberty (Patriot Blue Edition) Playing Cards

History. Patriots. Revolution.

The Sons of Liberty Playing Cards by Dan & Dave are inspired by rich history, the look and feel as well as the historical story behind the Sons of Liberty come together very nicely in this deck. Dan & Dave released the stunning Patriot Blue Edition in conjunction with the launch of the all-new dananddave.com.

The deck features some really nice touches and elements. The tuck box is among the most exquisite the Buck twins have ever produced, featuring sculptural embossing in both bronze and pewter foil. The cards themselves feature a plethora of masonic imagery, a Liberty Tree ace of spades, and a tax stamp seal. A handful of the Son’s most patriotic members are represented on the court cards in 18th-century style etching.

Sons of Liberty is a really nice offering from the Buck Twins, the theme was well thought out, beautifully designed by Jeff Tish and presented in an eye-catching package. Add to that the $12.00 price tag and it should please a variety of playing card aficionado’s, history buffs would love this deck, definitely worth picking up.

Available now from Art of Play.

First Look: Gemini Playing Cards by Stockholm17

[Update] Gemini Playing Cards are now LIVE on Kickstarter!

Two years in the making, Gemini is a fascinating deck of playing cards designed by Lorenzo Gaggiotti of Stockholm17, creator of stunning playing card decks such as Requiem, Heretic, No.17 and Le Chat Rouge. The Gemini Playing Cards has been meticulously crafted to give it a classic medieval feel.

The deck features aces that are depicted as axes and the royals of the court cards interact with their own pip, becoming part of the illustration. The number pips are bold, big and they take a lot of space. Lorenzo used an unconventional index (horizontal layout instead of vertical) for Gemini because he likes to push the boundaries and bend the unwritten rules of playing cards design.

The striking tuck box design is a collaboration between Lorenzo and Calligraffiti ambassador Karl O'brien from UK (Instagram: @85Kobe). This beautiful calligraphic text has been handcrafted by Karl and it looks like an ancient manuscript.

On the design process, Lorenzo said,

Gemini has been a long project that took 2 years of discontinued development; from the first concept sketch done in August 2014 (below) to what was unveiled in April 2015 when the style, the color palette, and the layout were set.

 The name Gemini is based on the peculiarity of the court cards. Lorenzo explained,

At first glance the royals of each court card look perfectly symmetrical, but they are not. I depicted them as twins (Gemini in latin), so you will be spotting differences when you look at the details. Those who followed Heretic Playing Cards, will remember this feature in the 58th card of the deck: the smiling-crying Queen of Hearts. I thought that the Gemini zodiac sign would fit this idea, so it gets a bit astrological in its design. The archetype of Gemini is fascinating and intriguing.

Like his previous projects, Lorenzo will have a few special items designed exclusively for Gemini, which will be unveiled at the right time. The campaign will start with a goal set for 2 decks: Gemini Terra and Gemini Ignis (fire in latin). Also, there is an awesome add-on that Lorenzo was able to show it in its real beauty: a poker card guard (or card protector) shaped like Gemini symbol in black nickel, with plated vines.

For the stretched goal, Lorenzo have the Gemini Noctis and when it will is unlocked new rewards and items will be unveiled! Finally, Lorenzo will release Gemini Experimental: a special version of the deck as he used during the kickstarter campaign. More will be unveiled soon.

[Update] Gemini Playing Cards are now LIVE on Kickstarter!

To keep up with the launch of Gemini Playing Cards on September 10, you can follow Stockholm17's event on Facebook.