Kickstarter: 7 Questions with Marianne Larsen of Midgard Playing Cards

From the team at Design Imperator based in Denmark, the Midgard Playing Cards are inspired by the Norse mythology. Having already hit it’s funding goal of kr85k (~USD$10.1K) on Kickstarter, there are two decks on offer in the campaign: the Danegeld (Black) and the Yggdrasil (Dark Red) Editions.

Both decks are fully custom, from the pips, fonts, values, courts and aces. The card backs are designed in the traditional 2-way layout and inspired by the classic Bicycle backs. The court cards feature legendary Viking leaders of Scandinavia and deities of Norse mythology. Illustrations are hand-drawn by professional illustrator Patrick Leis and lead artist Nicolai Aarøe.

Both editions feature deluxe sturdy tuck boxes with hot-stamped metal foil (silver foil on black tuck for the Danegeld Edition and gold foil on dark red tuck for the Yggdrasil Edition) and richly embossed artwork on all sides. Both with a numbered tuck seal applied.

We were able to catch-up with Marianne Larsen from Design Imperator for a quick chat about the team at Design Imperator, designing the Midgard Playing Cards and experience from their previous Kickstarter projects.

For those of us who don't know, tell us a little about yourself and Design Imperator?
Design Imperator is a group of Scandinavian based creatives and freelance artists. While the team is supervised by me, Marianne Larsen, the responsibilities of each task and job is handled and administrated by the best man for each job in any project. We have been engaged in the development of numerous independent projects since our team was founded in late 2011. With a passion and genuine interest in playing cards, we seek to consolidate ourselves as developers of unique and rare custom decks. Our flexible cooperation with talented artists forms a solid basis that helps us raise the bar with every deck we make. While Design Imperator is just a small team we aim high and have very ambitious projects in the pipeline.

Can you describe the Midgard Playing Cards and why you're passionate about it?
Midgard Playing Cards form a bridge between historic legends of Scandinavia and iconic deities of Norse mythology. Thor, Frejya, Odin and Loki are all represented in the deck in a hand drawn format and style that really strikes a good nerve. As Scandinavians ourselves we always had a passion for this culture and the sagas. This theme has been on the drawing board for a long time, but we needed to gain insight, a following and hands-on experience before pitching it on Kickstarter. This is our most ambitious project to date and we are proud to look back on the huge amount of work that went into, before showing it off on Kickstarter.

Walk us through the process you took to design this unique deck. How did you come out with the idea and how did you get to this finished product?
Presenting deluxe features in the base package is a rare approach for playing cards on Kickstarter. But we needed the decks to be very ambitious and impressive even in their basic form. We made numerous sketches and drawings and left them in a pot for some time before re-approaching the full design a few months after. This is a great way to approach a solid design with fresh eyes and spot all the weaknesses for a chance to improve the artwork. The courts, drawn by professional artist Patrick Leis in a coop with Nicolai Aaroe, really was our breakthrough because of their unique style, perfectly reflecting our vision of the Norse legends.

We have presented several deluxe features of both decks right from the start, but thanks to the amazing support we are witnessing the decks are now loaded with even more special features, such as interior artwork and added cards!

What was your most brilliant breakthrough when designing the deck?
While the custom courts really did take the decks to the next level for us we felt like the 'story-telling approach' to the tuck backs was a great way to present something new and creative to the industry of playing cards. Few decks does this, and the tucks of Midgard have so much thought worked into their design, with no details left on random or without a good reason to have them there. The two decks are unique and very different in appearance, but the story telling tuck back designs are our main breakthrough, presented in metal foil and with rich embossing.

You have successfully funded numerous Kickstarter campaigns. What are a few key elements and principles you incorporated into your project that you think future Kickstarter creators could benefit from knowing?
It is important to show that you care. Let it shine through that you are passionate about your project and not just hoping to earn a few bucks on a new platform. Our first two deck project, Noble and Chivalry, were both well funded and convincing in their own form. Our backers witnessed how we are just as passionate about fulfilment as we are about designing, and this is an important factor. For a chance to succeed with a great idea you need to convince that you are able to deliver when the time comes.

We have been open and transparent from the start and our backers have seen this from the start. To fund well you must earn the trust of backers, and on that note, it helps you if you are a backer yourself, and not just a project creator.

What's next? Can we expect to see more card designs in the future?
Absolutely! We have about five solid ideas for other projects, but they will be kept hidden and secret for now. Some of our projects take years to bring from a to b so we need to plan and strategize well before revealing anything about the these. We also have some ideas about the creation of a web shop at some point, but things take time, and we don't want to rush anything. In terms of playing cards project, we have some designs and themes that have been brought to an almost complete state.

These may be pitching on Kickstarter in the future, so stay tuned for more creative ideas coming your way. And on a closing note, Midgard Playing Cards may not be the last Viking themed deck you've seen from us, with Midgard hitting so many stretch goals already!

Finally, what are your favourite playing cards?
There are so many great designs out there. We could mention a favorite deck for every category out there, elegance, fantasy, historic, modern, etc. But if we have to pick just one out that really stands out from the rest we would probably go with the Arcanas by Chris Ovdiyenko. The amount of work that went into their design is extreme and obvious. Hand drawn illustrations are unique and personal in their own way.

Thank you for your time and congratulations on hitting the funding goal! The project is already 204% funded with 18 days to go. If you want to support the Midgard Playing Cards, you can find it on Kickstarter here!


Pledge starts from kr89 (~USD$13) and the deck will be printed by the NPCC. Dealer coin, booklet, and deck pouch are available as an add-on.

52 Plus Joker Diamond Award 2024 Winners Announced!

The prestigious 52 Plus Joker Diamond Awards were revealed last weekend at the 2024 52 Plus Joker Convention in Niagara Falls, NY. For the THIRD consecutive year, Artist of the Year went to Lorenzo Gaggiotti of Stockholm17, solidifying his place as a powerhouse in the world of playing card design.

Marianne Larsen’s Cirque Luciole deck took home the Deck of the Year award. The deck dazzled collectors with its intricate design, paying homage to the magic and mystery of the circus world. 

The competition for Deck of the Year included other notable designs like Forged Playing Cards by Chris Hage & Jody Eklund, La Mouche Playing Cards by Elettra Deganello, Nazo Nazo by Jack Brutus Penny & Portfolio 52, ShanHai Playing Cards by ARK and Space Suits by Russ Gray & Meadowlark.

Congratulations to Lorenzo, Marianne Larsen and all the nominees for their incredible work!

Kickstarter: Circus Playing Cards by Marianne Larsen

Circus Playing Cards is a limited-edition deck of playing cards with deluxe features in a vintage circus theme currently funding on Kickstarter. Designed by Marianne Larsen the deck is truly spectacular and amazing, conveying the exuberant energy of circus performers.

Two decks are on offer during the campaign, DELUXA and BLACK MOSQUITO.

The DELUXA card backs are printed with metallic golden Pantone to make it stand out from the standards of CMYK printed playing cards. The DELUXA number and face cards are both designed in a classic two-way layout with index on all four corners. The court cards are hand-drawn in collaboration with professional illustrator Martin Helgren and feature many iconic artists of historic circus archetypes.

The DELUXA tuck is manufactured with a pearlescent red stock for a truly exquisite look and feel. The tuck exterior is adorned with intricate and detailed gold foil on all sides. The artwork is embossed to further add depth and character to the already spectacular tuck.

Meanwhile, the BLACK MOSQUITO card backs are printed with metallic golden Pantone in combination with red and green Pantone to make it stand out from simple CMYK printed playing cards. The 'washed out' color scheme is a perfect contrast to the golden ink and adds to the vibe of the deck.

The number cards are designed in a classic two-way layout with index in all four corners, the court cards feature vintage circus archetypes in a one-way design. The courts are drawn deliberately with a dark twist by Martin.

The BLACK MOSQUITO tuck is designed with a vintage feel to it, with a dark color scheme and warm copper foil on all sides of the tuck exteriors. The artwork has embossed highlights to further enhance the already magnificent tuck. Both tucks come with a specially designed 'ticket style' numbered seal. These seals are going to be positioned at the tuck bottoms.

The decks are printed in Europe by NPCC with premium linen finish. Pledge starts at $14 for a single deck and there are multiple add-ons available such as brick boxes, gold coins, satin pouches, and printed booklet. Check it out on Kickstarter!

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Thalassic Playing Cards by Marianne Larsen

Award-winning creator Marianne Larsen returns with Thalassic playing cards, a bold new project that dives deep into myth, mystery, and maritime lore. Designed in collaboration with artist Martin Helgren, Thalassic is a dual-edition deck that captures the spirit of the sea through luxurious finishes, rich storytelling, and intricate illustration.

Inspired by the legend of the Green Galleon, a ship said to have sunk in shark-infested waters with a fortune in gold and sapphires aboard-Thalassic invites collectors on a journey filled with daring pirates, mythical peacocks, and hidden maps.

Two unique editions, Blue Lagoon and Green Galleon, tell different sides of the story through distinct card backs, gilding, and custom tuck boxes adorned with vintage foil and embossing.

Each deck features original artwork for the court cards, grouped into four pirate crews: the rebellious Buccaneers, the tactical Armada, the wild Scallywags, and the sly Picaroons. 

While both editions share the same crew illustrations, the Blue Lagoon edition presents them in full-art, one-way designs, and the Green Galleon in classic mirrored layouts. The number cards hide thematic surprises, including elements of a treasure map when arranged in sequence.

Printed on M31 linen stock by MPC and limited to 2,500 decks per edition. Pledge starts at $25 on Kickstarter.

The Cursed & The Crooked Kingdom Vol 2 Playing Cards

Now seeking funds on Kickstarter, the Cursed & the Crooked Kingdom playing cards is the second volume in Marianne Larsen’s whimsical fairytale series, offering two uniquely crafted decks that transport players to an enchanted realm. Twice awarded Deck of the Year at the 52 Plus Jokers Diamond Awards, Marianne blends luxurious design with rich storytelling, as seen in her previous projects like Ragnarok Playing Cards and Shadows of London. 

Set in the merged villages of Bakus and Garsia, the kingdom is a place where nature and legend intertwine. Bakus, founded by master bakers, and Garsia, with its ancient stone and creeping vines, celebrate their union each year with warm festivities. Characters like Madeira the Huntress, Barry the Blacksmith, and King Trÿstan add depth to the narrative, with their stories further explored in the accompanying booklets.

Inside, each deck comes with embossed tuck boxes with holographic gold foil and intricate illustrations capture the kingdom’s magical essence. 

The visual designs extend to the card backs, where Bakus and Garsia decks feature distinct one-way and mirrored illustrations that reflect the union of the two villages. 

Also, add-ons are available during the campaign. This include standard brick and half-brick boxes, as well as the exclusive Festivitas Hardbox, a sturdy, linen-textured container made from recycled chipboard. Custom metal coins with 3D embossing are also available as collectibles, adding another layer of charm to this magical world.

Printed in Europe by NPCC with premium linen finish. Pledge starts at $14 on Kickstarter.

Find Out Who Won the 2021 52 Plus Joker’s Diamond Awards

The 2021 52 Plus Joker Diamond Award winners have been announced on this weekend’s virtual event by 52 Plus Joker. The ‘Artist of the Year’ award went to Alex Chin for NPCCD Hindsight Edition, which had five main decks – two ungilded (Destruction & Disease) and three gilded decks (Dissent, Disaster and Death) – and one bonus deck only available with the purchase of the limited-edition “6 Spirit” set (Hope).

As with Alex’s past designs, there are some interesting innovations he devised, pushing the envelope of playing card design and packaging. One stand-out feature is the box; not a traditional tuck box, but a box that unfolds from the face to open, revealing an interior and exterior design meant to evoke a Greek temple.

Circus playing cards by Marianne Larsen and Martin Helgren won the ‘Deck of the Year’ award. Circus, comes in two versions, Deluxa and Black Mosquito. The Deluxe edition employs two-headed court cards while the Black Mosquito edition has one-way, head and torso portraits, both performed in a dark, Victorianesque style.  The details include a unique deck seal, individually serial-numbered and printed to look like a ticket to the show, metallic inks on the cards, and embossing on the tuck boxes. 

Congratulations to both Alex and Marianne. 😀

Now on Patreon, Kardify Magazine Issue 77

Issue 77 of Kardify Mag is now available on Patreon!  Patrons who pledged $3 or more will be able to download the latest issue from our Patreon page. This issue compiles selected articles published from mid-Septeber to mid-October. Deck images, articles, and news to keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest playing card news, releases, and previews. If you love playing cards, you will love Kardify Magazine!

Also, don’t forget to check out our other cool reward tiers on Patreon! The tiers include monthly desktop and smartphone wallpapers, a mystery deck shipped to you every 4 months of ongoing contributions, social media shout-outs, and multiple sponsorship tiers! Check it out!

Funds received from the magazine will help us keep the site running and growing, and bring new quality content to you. Our aim is to support designers by backing crowdfunded projects and supporting magic and playing cards retailers with their new releases. If you want to support us, please head over to our Patreon page. If you have an idea for an article you would like us to pursue, do get in contact with us. We hope you enjoy the read. In this issue:   

+ Cirque Luciole V2: Designed and produced by Marianne Larsen this deck is a follow-up to the award-winning Circus playng cards. Find out more!

+ Let’s Play: Meticulously crafted by Luke Wadey, this eye-catching deck is a fresh and innovative take on traditional playing card design. Check it out!

+ Bicycle Disney Classic Mickey: An homage to the iconic global cultural figure, Mickey Mouse, serving as visual narratives of his most endearing moments

+ White TIger: Return to the realm of Chinese astrology and celestial creatures with ARK‘s grand finale. This beautiful deck is the culmination of ARK’s acclaimed Four Beasts series! Check it out!

+ Incubo For this brand new deck series, designer Giovanni Meroni manifests the nature of monstrous nightmares onto decks of playing cards. 

+ Fantastica: Have a look at Carolina Cabedo’s striking deck, a tribute to the Circus.

 + Smoke & Mirrors 15th Anniversary: Dan and Dave with Brad Fulton, have released a new fifteen-anniversary edition in a green colorway that takes inspiration from 19th-century typography. Have a look!

+ Black Panther: Take a look at the exquisite deck by Theory11 crafted in honor of one of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most notable superheroes. 

… and more! 52 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Final Hours on Kickstarter! Cursed and the Crooked Playing Cards

After taking home the Deck of the Year at the 52 Plus Joker Diamond Award 2021 for Circus Playing Cards, Marianne Larsen is back and has launched The Cursed and The Crooked Playing Cards on Kickstarter.

The dark fairytale decks feature different fantasy characters, all richly illustrated with incredible details. There are two different editions, the Cursed and the Crooked. The Cursed Edition is more towards the standard design of playing cards: four corner indices, normal arrangement of customized pips, and two-way court cards.

The Crooked Edition is more towards the heavy artwork deck of playing cards: heavily detailed illustrations on the faces – detailed frames on both numbered and court cards, along with one-way full-length courts showing the characters clearly.

The court cards and Jokers featured heavily detailed illustrations of at least 20 different fantasy characters. Some are mischievous and dangerous, while others are friendly and helpful.

The card back design for the Cursed Edition shows a two-way design featuring a rich detailed illustrations of folklorish floral ornamentation and the ever-staring eyes from the depths of the forest. The card back design for the Crooked Edition shows a borderless design. It features a myriad of creatures from the dark fairytale hidden within the dark forest. The dark color scheme with the heavily detailed illustration would create an appealing visual fan.

The tuck box for both editions are done with premium stock. The Cursed Edition comes with a dark brown stock with gold, copper, and purple foil, while The Crooked Edition, in a dark green stock with gold and copper foils.

The front of the box for the Cursed Edition showcases an illustration of an antique key with filigrees along with the series name. The box for Crooked Edition featured an illustration of a forest with the series name – the back features the fairytale of the series done in gold foil. Both tuck boxes featured numbered seals placed on the bottom of the box.

The cards will be produced by Noir Arts Playing Cards on premium linen finish stock and pledge starts at $12 on Kickstarter.

Kickstarter: Hunter of York Playing Cards by Nicolai Aaroe

Funded in 48 hours, the Hunter of York Playing Cards are inspired by the witch-hunting era and the Tulip Mania set in York, 1636. This is the first volume in the Florus Drama series by artist Nicolai Aaroe.

These enchanting decks have been Nicolai's ‘go-to’ project for the past 3 years. He started working on the design about the same time the Indictus Playing Cards was launched on Kickstarter. The deck design has been kept a secret up until now and the reactions have been overwhelming.

Hunters of York started off as a theme that captures the tension of affection between a man and a woman in the renaissance era. The court characters have been illustrated in collaboration with another Danish master of the pen, Martin Helgren. On the design, Nicolai told Kardify,

I had so many ideas about the concept of ‘the hunt’ that the theme needed to be expanded with more factors of ‘hunt and ambition’. Hunters of York is set in 1636 and it is very much inspired by the Tulip Mania of that time to give it an authentic and historic touch of elegance in the form of floral artwork. The fact that the movie Tulip Fever came out in the end of the development process was pure coincidence, but it formed an obvious inspiration to the final touches of the designs.

This project has been hugely influenced by the ideas generated through creative sparring with Marianne Larsen. She has really made a great impact on major design choices, such as the beautiful tuck boxes.

The original designs were discarded completely and new designs were made based on fresh ideas and a rich sparring on the elements of what makes a great and interesting tuck case.

With the successful funding of the deck, Nicolai is motivated to continue working on the second volume in the Florus Drama series. Nicolai continued,

Florus Drama is a series where I will experiment with colors and story telling in a very unique way, blended with deluxe features on every aspect of the design process.

Two editions of the Hunter of York Playing Cards will be made available during the Kickstarter campaign- Master and Mistress Edition. The decks will be printed by NPCC and pledge starts at DKK$89 (USD$14) on Kickstarter.

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We Just Released Kardify Magazine Issue 102 on Patreon!

The latest issue of Kardify Magazine is now on Patreon! Patrons who pledged $3 or more will be able to download the latest issue from our Patreon page. This issue compiles selected articles published from mid-October to mid-November. Deck images, articles, and news to keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest playing card news, releases, and previews. If you love playing cards, you will love Kardify Magazine!

Also, don’t forget to check out our other cool reward tiers on Patreon! The tiers include monthly desktop and smartphone wallpapers, a mystery deck shipped to you every 4 months of ongoing contributions, social media shout-outs, and multiple sponsorship tiers! Check it out!

Funds received from the magazine will help us keep the site running and growing, and bring new quality content to you. Our aim is to support designers by backing crowdfunded projects and supporting magic and playing cards retailers with their new releases. If you want to support us, please head over to our Patreon page. If you have an idea for an article you would like us to pursue, do get in contact with us. We hope you enjoy the read. In this issue:   

+ Astro: Filled with quirky robots,  rayguns, and nostalgic sci-fi flair, Jackson Robinson’s latest deck captures the charm of vintage space-age imagination.

+ Patternwork: From Jack Brutus Penny, Patternwork is a  deck of fully-custom art playing cards inspired by Renaissance tapestry and Japanese fabric.

+ Circus Corinthia: Have a look at the third Circus deck by Marianne Larsen featuring paying homage to the enigmatic jesters of medieval festivals, masters of deception and delight. 

+ Triton 42 Club:  Antique Restoration by A. Haines Playing Cards. The deck represented the quintessential premium player’s deck designed for high-end enjoyment at gaming tables, and was printed in several different versions over the years. Find Out More!

+ Case Study: The latest deck series crafted by Dan and Dave is an exhibition of playable art after decades of study and practice. 

+ Fulton's October V2: Twelve years after the release of the original Fulton’s October, artist Steven Noble and designer Brad Fulton have reunited to conjure an all-new sequel. Check it out!

+ Fantastic Four: This Theory11’s deck pays tribute to Marvel’s First Family, inspired by the retro-futuristic style of the 1960s, the design captures the energy and optimism of the Fantastic Four’s earliest adventures!

… and more! 48 pages of articles and deck images. Enjoy!

Cirque Luciole, Vol 2 in the Circus Playing Cards Series

Circus is a travelling performance still favored by both adults and children. They always captivate the audiences with their acrobatic skills, grand performances, and epic illusions. Marianne Larsen designed and produced Circus Playing Cards, which won the 52 Plus Joker Diamond Award in 2021. Now, the next volume is ready for the world to enjoy, Cirque Luciole Playing Cards, the next volume to the Circus series.

Cirque Luciole is an imaginary and visionary ensemble of spectacular stage performers known as “The Fireflies”, from Paris in the early 1920’s. It is a group cast of mentalists, illusionists, magicians, and acrobats who are performing grand acts to bring marvels to your eyes.

The deck is available in two editions: Stella Nova and Luna Polaris. Each of the editions has a print run of 3000 decks and it comes with a custom numbered seal placed on the bottom of the box.

Stella Nova deck features tuck box in premium dark blue pearlescent stock adorned with elegant, embossed gold foil details. It features intricate artwork of stars and the moon within the metallic framework.

The box features UV elements: stars will glow under UV light. The back design of the cards mirrors the artwork featured on the box. The court cards presented for this edition are shown as two-way character illustrations.

Luna Polaris deck features a box in premium black pearlescent stock adorned with embossed gold elements. The front side features a poster of a performer holding the moon in his hand with his beautiful costume. The box features vibrant holographic foil elements, creating the sparkles for this very edition.

The back design of the cards features two-way illustrations of graphical illustrations of a woman performer holding the stars on her hands. The court cards presented for this edition are shown as full-length one-way character illustrations.

This volume comes with a booklet explaining the characters showcased in the deck. The project also comes with an exclusive custom-designed brick box for 6 and 12 decks. Printed by Noirs Playing Cards Co. with premium linen finish and pledge starts at $14 for a single deck on Kickstarter.

Circus Corinthia: The Grand Finale Playing Cards

Step right up for the THIRD act of the beloved Circus series: two exquisite playing cards celebrating the spectacle of performance and the art of mischief. Circus Corinthia- The Grand Finale pays homage to the enigmatic jesters of medieval festivals, masters of deception, delight, and dazzling display.

In this festive world, jugglers, tricksters, and jesters transform an ancient kingdom of silence into a realm of laughter and light. Under the guidance of Jestia and Jiggz, the court brings life, color, and whimsy to every corner of the kingdom. 

The decks are designed by award-winning artist Marianne Larsen in collaboration with Patrick Leis, blending theatrical flair with vintage sophistication. Insides, each card is bathed in rich purples, gleaming gold foil, and intricate vintage ornamentation, capturing the mystery, theatrics, and regal charm of the court fool. 

Court cards and pips are fully customized, adorned with jewel-toned hues and intricate filigree. The jokers carry two elegant monograms: one for Circus Corinthia and one for Jestia or Jiggz. Each deck captures the essence of performance, theater, and vintage elegance, transforming a simple deck of cards into a miniature stage of art, storytelling, and spectacle.

The Grand Finale features two limited edition decks: Jestia in crimson and gold, and Jiggz in teal and gold. Each deck comes in an elegantly crafted tuck box with dual foils, spot gloss, embossed details, and fully custom, numbered seals that mark each deck’s unique place in the series.

Corinthia’s playing cards showcase opulent jester royalty:mJestia as the regal jester queen and Jiggz as the confident jester king. The Corinthia tuck backs shimmer with dual foils, ornate scrollwork, and a symbolic hand juggling a Globus Cruciger. The borderless card backs feature swirling filigree, celestial orbs, and playful jesters, perfect for spreads or displays.

Pledge starts at $20 on Kickstarter.