7 Questions with Gustavo Borboa of The Kingdom of the Dead Playing Cards

The Kingdom of the Dead Playing Cards by Sextante Studio is inspired by the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead. The deck is a reinterpretation of one of the oldest traditions, the design respects the classic images of playing cards. The team at Sextante Studio, headed by Gustavo Borboa have reimagined the symbolism, colors and traditional characters into a modern aesthetic.

We were able to catch-up with Gustavo for a quick chat about the team at Sextante Studio and the design and idea behind The Kingdom of the Dead Playing Cards.

For those of us who don’t know, tell us a little about yourself and Sextante Studio?
I am a professional illustrator and since I was a child, I tried to sell my drawings and finally, people pay for my work, that’s amazing! I have worked on comic books, graphic novels and publicity illustration for marketing agencies and sales companies. I love to illustrating children's book and I have also an artistic career which I developed in addition to my design career. I founded Sextante Studio with some partners like Carlos Maccelli- Architect & Designer, we offer creative solutions to clients around the world.

What do you guys love most about being a designer? And what are some favorite projects you’ve worked on?
I think, the best part is making dreams a reality. I mean, as designers, we can take an idea and turn it into real life. My first comic book collection was one of my favorites, it was like a dream. Of course, our most recent project, the Mexican designed playing cards deck.

Can you describe the Kingdom of the Dead Playing Cards? and why you’re passionate about it?
El reino de los muertos (The Kingdom of the Dead) is a professional deck of cards inspired by the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead. It is a collector’s item as the graphics and figures have great artistic value. The members of the court —the King, Queen and Jack—, are works of art that were painted by hand in watercolor. The traditional figures in the cards have been reimagined in the rich traditions of Mexico.

The deck is produced in accordance with international standards, from texturized linen cardstock imported from France and complies with the quality requirements for use in casinos. The project is a reinterpretation of one of our oldest traditions, the design respects the classic images of playing cards. We have reimagined the symbolism, colors and traditional characters into modern aesthetics. Each image was created with profound respect and significant research. Bright and cheery colors are contrasted with dark, elegant borders.

The traditional figures are transformed into irreverent and playful characters with a touch of solemnity. The illustrations are dynamic and detailed. There are textures of perforated paper. Playing with these cards will be an experience that will take you on a journey through the layers of tradition encapsulated in each card.

Talk to us a bit about going from the first draft to the final version. How did you get to this finished product?
At first, I analyzed the geometry of the classic court figures and discovered a lot of interesting details. I took the main shapes and created a grid, in which I placed my new characters. After that, I defined the outlines and shapes with ink and digitalized the first drawing. The next step was to print those outlines over special cotton paper to create a guide path to paint over with watercolors. Finally, we took a high-resolution picture of the artwork and proceeded with the digital manipulation to get the final card images.

What was your most brilliant breakthrough when designing the deck?
To share that ancient and magic feeling with the users. I think the users can feel the magic and the power of the traditions through the images. That’s the result of months of work, research, analysis and design.

What’s next? Can we expect more deck designs from Sextante Studio?
Sure, we are thinking about taking other historical concepts maybe from other parts of the world and maybe related to magic.

Finally, what are your favorite playing cards?
I love Contraband from Theory11

Thanks for your time, Gustavo! 


The Kingdom of the Dead Playing Cards deck is printed by Cartamundi with texturized linen cardstock imported from France. Available for sale now here from USD$10.5 for a single deck (excludes shipping).

First Look: The Kingdom of the Dead Playing Cards by Sextante Studio

El Reino de Los Muertos (The Kingdom of the Dead) is a professional deck of cards inspired by the Mexican tradition of the Day of the Dead. The deck is a reinterpretation of one of the oldest traditions, the design respects the classic images of playing cards.

The team at Sextante Studio have reimagined the symbolism, colors and traditional characters into a modern aesthetic. Each image was created with profound respect and significant research. Bright and dynamic colors are contrasted with dark, elegant borders.

The traditional figures are transformed into irreverent and playful characters with a touch of solemnity. The courts are meticulously painted by hand in watercolor. The traditional figures in the cards have been reimagined in the rich traditions of Mexico.

The casino quality deck will be printed by Cartamundi with texturized linen cardstock imported from France. Available for sale on November 20th!

News: Bicycle Mythical Creatures Playing Cards by Sextante Studio

The Bicycle Mythical Creatures Playing Cards is a fully custom deck featuring legendary mythical creatures from Greek, Norse, Egyptian and East Asian mythology designed by Sextante Studio for Gent Supply Co.

Illustrated by Gustavo Borboa (@GuzoBorboa), a lot of thought has gone into the design of the deck. Each suit represents a different pantheon: Spades - Greek, Clubs - Norse, Diamonds - Egyptian and Hearts - East Asian.

The mirrored back design is decorated with symbols and iconic elements of the four suits. Also, each of the court cards and Aces are represented by a mythical creature from the culture.

On the design, Guzo told Kardify,

Working for United States Playing Card Company is a dream come true, I worked out each creature in detail to represent its strength, magic and majesty. The whole deck is full of symbols of the four cultures integrated subtly to endow each card with mystery.

Printed by the United States Playing Card Company with a Linen Air Cushion Finish. This deck includes 52 cards plus two unique jokers, one double backed card and a card identifying all the Mythical Creatures. Available now from Gent Supply Co. for $14.85.

Kickstarter: Axolotl Playing Cards by Sextante Studio

The beautiful Axolotl Playing Cards are created to support the Mexico axolotl conservation efforts in mind. The idea is to help create awareness about this amazing creature through the art contained within the Axolotl deck.

The Axolotl is named after an Aztec god and the inspiration for a Pokemon. The amphibian can heal itself better than Wolverine from the X-Men, even regrowing lost limbs. In nature, the Axolotl is in peril. It is native only to Lake Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage site outside Mexico City.

In 2006, the species was declared critically endangered due to habitat degradation and the pervasiveness of invasive fish in the lake. In 2009, experts estimated that the axolotl population had fallen 90 percent in the past four years, a decline further exacerbated by urbanization.

Axolotl Playing Cards are fully custom with hand-illustrated art by Gustavo Borboa of Sextante Studio, including the courts, aces, and joker. The design is inspired by the Axolotl and its natural environment, focusing on 3 main elements: the water hyacinth, the Axolotl and the water.

For example, the gorgeous back design illustrates how the axolotl interacts with these elements that are constantly present through all its life. Guzo explained on the campaign page,

Ripples in the water created by the movement of the axolotl pass through the water hyacinths, this scene displays the harmony that its present between the 3 elements the water hyacinth, the axolotl and the water.

The deck is kept in a matte black tuck box and spot UV ink print for all the details. Printed by Cartamundi on their popular True Linen B9 Finish.

Pledge starts at $10. If you want to support the Axolotl Playing Cards, head over to the Kickstarter campaign here! If this project is successfully funded, the team will donate 100% of all profits produced from the decks that remain after the campaign.

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Deck View: El Reino de los Muertos (Expert Edition) Playing Cards

Tradition. Mythology. Modern.

The El Reino de los Muertos (Expert Edition) Playing Cards celebrate Mexico’s rich cultural heritage through a fully custom deck inspired by Día de los Muertos traditions and pre-Hispanic mythology. Created as both an artistic and cultural tribute by Sextante studio, the deck explores themes of life, death, remembrance, and the journey to Mictlan, the underworld of Aztec belief.

Every card features original artwork, from the custom courts and aces to the numbered cards, jokers, and back design. The courts depict iconic Mexican figures reimagined in the style of calaveras and catrinas, including revolutionary heroes and ancient deities. The aces combine traditional Day of the Dead imagery with pre-Hispanic symbols, while the vibrant back design incorporates cempasúchil flowers, papel picado, skull motifs, and indigenous influences.

Printed by Cartamundi on Slimline B9 stock and finish, the deck offers premium handling alongside its striking artwork. Limited to 5,000 decks, it stands as a distinctive fusion of Mexican tradition and modern playing card design.