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.

Card Flash: Culminus Playing Cards

Currently in fulfillment, Culminus Playing Cards by Nicolai Aaroe are inspired by the eschatological literature of the postexilic period. Culminus is represented by two meticulously crafted deck, Infernum (evil) and Infiniti (good).

Both decks feature matte tuck cases, embossed artwork, and exterior and interior gold foil. Infernum comes in a Black-brown stock and Ivory matte stock for Infiniti. The gold on white on the Infiniti is especially stunning.

Inside, the cards are fully custom with distinctive pips, ornamentation on the indices and hand-drawn courts. As expected, the artwork is top notch as always and what you come to expect from Nicolai Aaroe and award-winning illustrator Patrick Leis.

Both decks are printed by NPCC and handle reasonably well. Overall, the decks are very well done! If you've backed the project, you won't be disappointed.

Kickstarter: Shadows of London, A Victorian London themed Playing Cards

Shadows of London is a Victorian London-themed deck of playing cards currently on Kickstarter. Produced by Mariane Larsen with incredible artwork by Patrick Leis, the decks feature characters inspired by Victorian archetypes, Sherlock Holmes, the night watchman, Dr. Jekyll, and the roughneck on the docks. 

The deck showcases London in 1843 when the construction of Big Ben begins. However, there are already many bells tolling long echoes through the dark streets of London. These narrow streets are inhabited by suspicious figures that cast long shadows. A thief, a beggar, a prostitute, a corrupt politician, and his cunning wife. All skeptical and scheming about the intentions of the shadowy figure right around the corner and at the end of the street.  

 

There are two editions available during the Kickstarter campaign, Pennyless and Moonshine. The Pennyless tuck has a gloomy scenery printed in a matte material with a striking silver foil and an embossed title that brings the poor people of the Victorian streets to the foreground. This tuck box is designed to set the tone and atmosphere of the theme. It has a fully custom stamp-like, numbered tuck seal. The face cards are designed in a one-way format for an art-focused layout on the character illustrations. 

The Moonshine Edition tuck is manufactured in a horizontal format with a black soft-touch stock for a truly exquisite victorian feel. The tuck exterior is adorned with intricate and detailed gold foil on all sides, inspired by luxury brand tobacco and matchbox packaging from the time period. It has a fully custom stamp-like, numbered tuck seal.

The Moonshine number and face cards are designed in a classic two-way layout with an index in all four corners for optimized playability. Both editions share the same card backs featuring details such as Victorian street lamps, gate spikes, floral damask, and the Big Ben clock tower. 

Printed by TWPCC with Classic Finish. Pledge starts on Kickstarter. Also, add-ons such as antique Silver/Gold coin, illustrated booklet, and deck pouch are available during the campaign.

[post_ad]

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.

Card Flash: Midgard Playing Cards

Currently being fulfilled by the team at Design Imperator via Deutsche Post, Midgard Playing Cards is a Norse theme deck hand-drawn by professional illustrator Patrick Leis and lead artist Nicolai Aarøe.

The Danegeld (Black) and the Yggdrasil (Dark Red) Editions features fully custom pips, fonts, values, aces and courts with hand-illustrated legendary Viking leaders of Scandinavia and deities of Norse mythology. Both tucks are embossed, hot-stamped with metal foil- silver foil on black tuck for the Danegeld Edition and gold foil on dark red tuck for the Yggdrasil Edition and custom numbered seal.

Printed by NPCC on linen card stock, which handles reasonable well but requires a short break-in period.

Deck View: Midgard (Yggdrasil Edition) Playing Cards

Viking. Mythology. Hand-Illustrated.

Produced Design Imperator, Midgard Playing Cards is a Norse theme deck hand-drawn by professional illustrator Patrick Leis and lead artist Nicolai Aarøe (@nicolaiaaroe). The Yggdrasil Edition features a dark red tuck case and includes fully custom pips, fonts, values, aces and courts with hand-illustrated legendary Viking leaders of Scandinavia and deities of Norse mythology.

The card backs are designed in the traditional 2-way layout and inspired by the classic Bicycle backs. The deck is housed in an embossed tuck, hot-stamped with gold foil and a sealed with a custom numbered seal. Printed by NPCC on linen card stock.

Also, for more cool playing cards, check out JP Playing Cards.

Kickstarter: Culminus Playing Cards by Nicolai Aaroe

Inspired by the eschatological literature of the postexilic period, Culminus form the third and final volume in the Light versus Darkness series of deluxe, dark art poker playing cards.

Meticulously designed by Nicolai Aaroe, Culminus aims to represent ultimate evil and ultimate good with two gorgeous standalone deck designs, Infernum and Infiniti, where infernal devils are seeking to wreak havoc to neutral men, and ethereal guardians are trying to stop them. In its essence, Culminus symbolizes the moral compass and ethical dilemmas that all monarchs have faced in history and time as saints and sinners.

Both decks feature a matte tuck cases designed with both exterior and interior gold foil and embossed artwork. Black-brown stock for the Infernum and Ivory matte stock for Infiniti.

Fully custom, the distinctive pips are unique, each court is hand-drawn in collaboration with award-winning illustrator Patrick Leis and ornamentation has been added on the indices. Also, the card back adorned with Metallic ink with gold pigment.

The Infernum deck has black cards matching the Dominus Obscura deck for consistency, while the Infiniti deck has a clean, white design to match its predecessor, the Dominus Divinus deck. Both decks will be printed by NPCC. Available now from Kickstarter. Pledge starts from DKK$89 (~USD$13).

Thalassic II: Tropical Treasure Playing Cards

Thalassic II: Tropical Treasure Playing Cards is a vibrant continuation of a pirate-inspired series, blending nautical adventure with richly illustrated, anthropomorphic characters. Produced by Marianne Larsen in collaboration with artist Patrick Leis, the deck expands its world with bold storytelling, exotic island influences, and a cast of unforgettable seafaring crews.

This second volume on Kickstarter introduces two completely distinct editions: Captain Alvaros and SFL Bautista...  each with its own artistic direction, back design, jokers, and overall identity. 

The Captain Alvaros Edition leans into a more detailed, one-way composition that emphasizes forward motion and narrative, while the SFL Bautista Edition adopts a classic two-way layout, offering a more traditional feel without losing its personality.

At the heart of the deck are twelve fully custom court cards, each representing one of four unique pirate crews. From dockside schemers and master negotiators to agile explorers and open-sea specialists, every crew brings its own flavor to the adventure, reflected not only in the characters themselves but also in the design of the aces and supporting artwork. 

The number cards continue the storytelling with hidden details woven into custom nautical pips, rewarding closer inspection.

Both editions feature premium production, including metallic foil accents, embossed tuck boxes made from vintage-style raw stock, and striking edge gilding: sunset orange for the Captain Alvaros Edition and coastal turquoise for the SFL Bautista Edition. 

The tuck designs are equally expressive, with gold and copper foiling bringing to life imagery of legendary captains, galleons, and tropical ornamentation, all sealed with antique-style labels that evoke the spirit of old maritime expeditions.

Printed on casino-quality linen-finish stock, the custom decks are designed for both durability and smooth handling. Limited to a maximum of 2,500 copies per edition, pledge starts at $25 on Kickstarter.