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Playing Card Chat ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦ => Playing Card Plethora => Topic started by: Don Boyer on May 08, 2013, 07:29:30 AM

Title: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Don Boyer on May 08, 2013, 07:29:30 AM
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm proud to announce Uusi's forthcoming deck, coming soon to Kickstarter.

ROYAL OPTIK

This is the third deck in the Uusi series.  Let me give you a quote from Linnea Gits about her and Peter Dunham's work:

"Basically the deck is a mix of woodcut and op art. We love how they both rely on negative space to create volume and movement. The court faces all employ an expressive woodcut feel to them and the bodies rely on the interaction of the op art, geometric forms that shape the postures of the court characters. The inky black and reds of the deck were created using fields of color that we first painted on printmaking paper and then scanned into the computer. We then drew the court characters and cut them out of these intense pigment fields in photoshop. This allowed the blacks to be deeper in tone in some areas and to have hints of blue or deep green in them and the reds to have deep maroons or burnt red highlights.  It is pretty subtle, but it's a detail your eye will notice over a flat, computer-black or red pantone color."


These photos don't do that subtle color detail any justice - better close-up images are on the way in the near future.  I'm looking forward to hearing what you think on this - I happen to think it's great work and an excellent follow-up to the Bohemia deck.  :))

EDIT: last photo updated to show correct pip orientation.

LATE EDIT: I still can't believe that NO ONE posted a link to the project yet!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1244376122/royal-optik-playing-card-deck
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: BiggerDee on May 08, 2013, 09:37:20 AM
Wow! This is a REALLY beautiful deck! I'm a sucker for the old style engraved look. This is one of the better looking decks that I have seen in a LONG time! I am all-in on this one!
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: BastianBJ on May 08, 2013, 11:53:36 AM
Wow!!! those cards are looking amazing! I really love what Uusi is doing once again...
Btw, any info about the date of the Kickstarter campaign? :karrit:
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Gunshy1 on May 08, 2013, 12:17:53 PM
i hate the faces. love the index cards and pips. love the backs. buuuuuuuuuuut kickstarter is a pain
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Don Boyer on May 08, 2013, 02:36:26 PM
Wow!!! those cards are looking amazing! I really love what Uusi is doing once again...
Btw, any info about the date of the Kickstarter campaign? :karrit:

All I can say is "soon," as in "very soon."
Title: Edited* Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Card Player on May 08, 2013, 02:44:01 PM
As far as Kickstarter projects go, I almost backed one project and backed out of another. I've always found something wrong with a deck on Kickstarter, whether it was practicality or a design flaw that dis-interested me. It's too early to tell but at this point, I can't find anything wrong with this deck... *aside from the one way suits on the numbered cards but that's not a big deal to me.

I did notice that the spades and clubs are a dark blue instead of black. I think it's pretty interesting that this deck only utilizes two colors the blue and the red. Since the blue is also used in the back design I'm hoping there will be a red version to accompany the blue?

To say the least, so far I'm interested. I find the court cards to be very well designed. I also like the fact that the face cards are simple print on white, not any of that background graffiti like we are starting to see with other decks.
Title: Re: Edited* Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Don Boyer on May 08, 2013, 09:44:52 PM
As far as Kickstarter projects go, I almost backed one project and backed out of another. I've always found something wrong with a deck on Kickstarter, whether it was practicality or a design flaw that dis-interested me. It's too early to tell but at this point, I can't find anything wrong with this deck... *aside from the one way suits on the numbered cards but that's not a big deal to me.

I did notice that the spades and clubs are a dark blue instead of black. I think it's pretty interesting that this deck only utilizes two colors the blue and the red. Since the blue is also used in the back design I'm hoping there will be a red version to accompany the blue?

To say the least, so far I'm interested. I find the court cards to be very well designed. I also like the fact that the face cards are simple print on white, not any of that background graffiti like we are starting to see with other decks.

From you, this is high praise, indeed!  :))

You realize that all suit pips except diamonds are normally one-way, right?  And that the pips invert in the normal pattern you'd expect from any ordinary deck of cards?

I'm glad you could spot the color subtleties - I sure can't!  But my eyes aren't what they used to be, either!
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: MrMollusk on May 08, 2013, 11:20:48 PM
Uusi is quickly becoming my favorite card company.
 3 completely maginificent decks in a row.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Yin on May 09, 2013, 12:12:23 AM
Oh boy. I missed out on Blue Blood (got them off BMPOKER), backed Bohemia and I'm definitely backing this one!
Question is WHEN? :)
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Card Player on May 09, 2013, 06:39:52 AM
Quote
You realize that all suit pips except diamonds are normally one-way, right?  And that the pips invert in the normal pattern you'd expect from any ordinary deck of cards?

I'm not sure if I don't understand or you don't understand me? Maybe you do understand? Suits in general, yes I know all suits except diamonds are that way. Odd number cards are one way also on decks that use traditional suit placement. What I was saying is that in this particular example the suits are NOT mirrored from top to bottom, they mirror each other from left to right. Because they are using this particular design for the suits you can see that on one half of a numbered card the suit solid is pointed inward and the other half the solid is pointed outward. From what I can tell it looks to be done purposely because its done with all the numbered cards Ive seen. As you know I'm not a magician. I don't know how this one way would benefit or be a disadvantage to someone. You'll have to explain that to me Don?
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: uusikissa1 on May 09, 2013, 07:56:05 AM
Quote
You realize that all suit pips except diamonds are normally one-way, right?  And that the pips invert in the normal pattern you'd expect from any ordinary deck of cards?

I'm not sure if I don't understand or you don't understand me? Maybe you do understand? Suits in general, yes I know all suits except diamonds are that way. Odd number cards are one way also on decks that use traditional suit placement. What I was saying is that in this particular example the suits are NOT mirrored from top to bottom, they mirror each other from left to right. Because they are using this particular design for the suits you can see that on one half of a numbered card the suit solid is pointed inward and the other half the solid is pointed outward. From what I can tell it looks to be done purposely because its done with all the numbered cards Ive seen. As you know I'm not a magician. I don't know how this one way would benefit or be a disadvantage to someone. You'll have to explain that to me Don?

Hi Legacy - Just saw this and realized we handed off the wrong image file to Don, the final version of the pips does have the suit symbol design mirroring on all the cards. Nice eye! Thanks!
We'll send a revised image for Don to post...

As soon as we have a KS launch date (should be early next week) I'll post it on this thread.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Loop Cuts on May 09, 2013, 08:17:22 AM
I'm starting to notice some great things for some of these independent designers.  They carry a signature with there work that cannot be matched and never should be. Its allowing originality across the board without any disappointment. 

Lance T Miller
Encarded
Uusi

 :D
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Don Boyer on May 09, 2013, 10:28:12 AM
You'll have to explain that to me Don?

No - I have to apologize!  You were right.

I've posted the corrected pip photo.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Card Player on May 09, 2013, 11:01:56 AM
Quote
Hi Legacy - Just saw this and realized we handed off the wrong image file to Don, the final version of the pips does have the suit symbol design mirroring on all the cards. Nice eye! Thanks!
We'll send a revised image for Don to post...

That's awesome!
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: uusikissa1 on May 15, 2013, 07:16:14 PM
Just wanted to let those interested know that we will be launching the Uusi "Royal Optik" Playing Card Deck tomorrow morning (the 16th) at 11:00am CST. We have greatly appreciated the support from the discourse on our past decks and hope Royal Optik will be received as well as our past designs. Thanks in advance for checking out the project!

Here is a quick sneak peak at the ace of spades:

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/8743000634_df1f067ac6_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Card Player on May 15, 2013, 08:22:44 PM
Hi

I'm really digging the Ace with the two tigers to the left and right. Very unique to the brand.

If I'm going to be completely honest, I don't understand the ribbon? It almost looks like I does not belong. How stuck are you on keeping it and just going with plain royal optik font at the bottom of the ace?
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: MrMollusk on May 15, 2013, 09:12:41 PM
Hi

I'm really digging the Ace with the two tigers to the left and right. Very unique to the brand.

If I'm going to be completely honest, I don't understand the ribbon? It almost looks like I does not belong. How stuck are you on keeping it and just going with plain royal optik font at the bottom of the ace?

I like the ribbon.
It balances the design of the ace out a bit, and adds some variety to the theme.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: BiggerDee on May 16, 2013, 01:35:45 PM
69% funded in 1.5 hours, wow!
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: BastianBJ on May 16, 2013, 04:18:23 PM
Wow! Funded withing hours of the launch! Amazing! :D
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Card Player on May 16, 2013, 04:59:17 PM
Hi

I'm really digging the Ace with the two tigers to the left and right. Very unique to the brand.

If I'm going to be completely honest, I don't understand the ribbon? It almost looks like I does not belong. How stuck are you on keeping it and just going with plain royal optik font at the bottom of the ace?

I like the ribbon.
It balances the design of the ace out a bit, and adds some variety to the theme.

I agree it does balance the design. Now that the project is launched and I see the ad cards it all ties in very nicely. The king of heart's concept is incredible. Love that side profile of the queens crown. The jokers are classic.

Finally my FIRST Kickstarter!
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: uusikissa1 on May 16, 2013, 06:31:28 PM
Hi

I'm really digging the Ace with the two tigers to the left and right. Very unique to the brand.

If I'm going to be completely honest, I don't understand the ribbon? It almost looks like I does not belong. How stuck are you on keeping it and just going with plain royal optik font at the bottom of the ace?

I like the ribbon.
It balances the design of the ace out a bit, and adds some variety to the theme.

I agree it does balance the design. Now that the project is launched and I see the ad cards it all ties in very nicely. The king of heart's concept is incredible. Love that side profile of the queens crown. The jokers are classic.

Finally my FIRST Kickstarter!
Hi Legacy!  There is nothing more rewarding than pleasing a tough customer :) We are honored to be your first Kickstarter deck! Eep! 
Linnea
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Don Boyer on May 16, 2013, 11:41:16 PM
Linnea, you and Peter have done an astounding job here.  I knew you were going to get funded, but in FOUR HOURS?  That's practically a record!  Congratulations.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: uusikissa1 on May 17, 2013, 08:09:03 AM
Linnea, you and Peter have done an astounding job here.  I knew you were going to get funded, but in FOUR HOURS?  That's practically a record!  Congratulations.

Hey Don,
Thanks! Yeah, we were a little floored to say the least at how fast we were funded. Here's to hoping the project keeps going strong!

Thanks again for your help on the project!

P&L
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: The Quadfather on May 17, 2013, 08:39:59 AM
I backed these without even looking at the photos. Missed out on the Bohemia last time, and everybody seems to like those! Glad I did though after seeing the photos!
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Card Player on May 21, 2013, 11:31:06 AM
Hey P&L

Just received the latest update with the overfunding goals. I really hope you get 700% your looking for. With the 2 specific colors strictly being used for this project nothing would be more complementary then it's red counterpart.

Will there be updated rewards to help you get to your 700% goal? It looks like most of your high end rewards are gone or limited, making your goal more difficult to obtain.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Don Boyer on May 21, 2013, 11:47:53 PM
Hey P&L

Just received the latest update with the overfunding goals. I really hope you get 700% your looking for. With the 2 specific colors strictly being used for this project nothing would be more complementary then it's red counterpart.

Will there be updated rewards to help you get to your 700% goal? It looks like most of your high end rewards are gone or limited, making your goal more difficult to obtain.

That might not be an issue.  Uusi decks have become more popular with each successive release.  They did 400% on their last project, Bohemia.

BTW: Peter & Linnea - I don't know if you noticed, but we're having a tournament for "best deck of cards" chosen in a somewhat arbitrary manner by votes (OK, it's only a handful of people voting, but still...)  I started a contest when we were down to only thirty-two decks remaining - pick the winners of the remaining matches, whoever gets the most gets a prize.  (It's in the Deck Battles board.)

Of the eight contestants, four chose your Bohemia deck to be the champion and one more chose it to make it to the finals!

So, while that's hardly a good sample from which to make an analysis, I suspect this deck will have a great following!  :))
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: JacksonRobinson on May 22, 2013, 01:21:07 AM
Let me list a few things I really like about this deck.

1. Great Color selection.
So many deck designers don't realize the power of NOT picking a completely saturated color to design with. The easiest way to make any design seem unfinished or collegiate in execution is to slap some 255 red or blue on their. Great job guys.

2. Fresh Court Cards.
I don't own my own Bohemian deck, but can already feel Usi's style spanning both of the decks.

3. Extreme Readability and Functionality of the number cards.

4. Ignoring the corners of the tuck case.
I like the full wrap design.

The only crit that I would say, and it super small is that I would like to see the numbers hand drawn as well. I want to see slight imperfections in the edge quality just like is in the courts. It will even sell the fact that someone painted this.

Great work guys, can't wait to get my deck.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Don Boyer on May 22, 2013, 01:52:56 AM

The only crit that I would say, and it super small is that I would like to see the numbers hand drawn as well. I want to see slight imperfections in the edge quality just like is in the courts. It will even sell the fact that someone painted this.

Great work guys, can't wait to get my deck.

Actually, I think they are.  I know they were for the Bohemia deck and this deck shares many of the same design elements.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: uusikissa1 on May 22, 2013, 08:36:34 AM
Hey P&L

Just received the latest update with the overfunding goals. I really hope you get 700% your looking for. With the 2 specific colors strictly being used for this project nothing would be more complementary then it's red counterpart.

Will there be updated rewards to help you get to your 700% goal? It looks like most of your high end rewards are gone or limited, making your goal more difficult to obtain.
Hi Legacy,

Thanks for the support in hoping we reach the goal for printing a second color deck! Yeah, the design/color scheme we are working on for a second deck looks great with the black Royal Optik tuck box - and yes, it is a darkish red background with the same off white/cream pattern color as the black tuck, and of course the backs would match.

As far as adding more rewards, this is something we are working on. We have a couple designs for items that are a compliment to the deck stands and card cases, that I am currently developing in the shop/studio that should be up on our KS page soon. We would definitely do mixed bricks if we reach the second color goal (and of course there would be the red uncuts). Interestingly enough though, most of ones funding in KS card deck projects comes from 1, 2 and 3 deck pledges and also brick pledges. The extra incentive items ( T-shirts, prints, deck stands, card cases etc.) definitely add a nice boost in over funding goals though.

Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: uusikissa1 on May 22, 2013, 08:54:46 AM
Hey P&L

Just received the latest update with the overfunding goals. I really hope you get 700% your looking for. With the 2 specific colors strictly being used for this project nothing would be more complementary then it's red counterpart.

Will there be updated rewards to help you get to your 700% goal? It looks like most of your high end rewards are gone or limited, making your goal more difficult to obtain.

That might not be an issue.  Uusi decks have become more popular with each successive release.  They did 400% on their last project, Bohemia.

BTW: Peter & Linnea - I don't know if you noticed, but we're having a tournament for "best deck of cards" chosen in a somewhat arbitrary manner by votes (OK, it's only a handful of people voting, but still...)  I started a contest when we were down to only thirty-two decks remaining - pick the winners of the remaining matches, whoever gets the most gets a prize.  (It's in the Deck Battles board.)

Of the eight contestants, four chose your Bohemia deck to be the champion and one more chose it to make it to the finals!

So, while that's hardly a good sample from which to make an analysis, I suspect this deck will have a great following!  :))

Thanks for that vote of confidence Don! Even though we are off to a great start, reaching 700% is really going to be a challenge. We are hoping our backers can really spread the word and we will be posting some new rewards in the upcoming week. It would be really great to see the red Royal Optik deck get printed!

Thanks for the heads up on the Deck Battle contest! That's awesome that Bohemia's in the running.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: uusikissa1 on May 23, 2013, 07:26:37 AM
Let me list a few things I really like about this deck.

1. Great Color selection.
So many deck designers don't realize the power of NOT picking a completely saturated color to design with. The easiest way to make any design seem unfinished or collegiate in execution is to slap some 255 red or blue on their. Great job guys.

2. Fresh Court Cards.
I don't own my own Bohemian deck, but can already feel Usi's style spanning both of the decks.

3. Extreme Readability and Functionality of the number cards.

4. Ignoring the corners of the tuck case.
I like the full wrap design.

The only crit that I would say, and it super small is that I would like to see the numbers hand drawn as well. I want to see slight imperfections in the edge quality just like is in the courts. It will even sell the fact that someone painted this.

Great work guys, can't wait to get my deck.

Hey Jackson,
Thanks for the call out on those design points - pretty much spot on. As for the numeric and lettered indices, our thinking is that ever since they have been in use on playing cards they have pretty much been typeset ( with maybe some rare exceptions) so to us that seems consistent, but we do and try to add some hand feel to them by filling their form with hand painted color fields.
Thanks again!
BTW - those uncuts you sent out in your update look awesome!
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Card Player on May 31, 2013, 07:22:31 PM
Project Update #7:

Thanks for the teaser "Royal Optik Red"

I really wish there was more I could do to help make it happen (bump)  ;)
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Don Boyer on June 01, 2013, 01:58:46 AM
Project Update #7:

Thanks for the teaser "Royal Optik Red"

I really wish there was more I could do to help make it happen (bump)  ;)

To say nothing of a fine, handcrafted wooden box that holds at least a half-dozen decks...  :))
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Card Player on June 01, 2013, 07:28:06 AM
Project Update #7:

Thanks for the teaser "Royal Optik Red"

I really wish there was more I could do to help make it happen (bump)  ;)

To say nothing of a fine, handcrafted wooden box that holds at least a half-dozen decks...  :))

No doubt the box is beautiful. They were already gone by the time I got the email that five more had been added. Do you know if these boxes will be branded with the Uusi name? That would be a nice touch. I think what ended up happening is instead of new backers of the project, existing backers ended up upgrading their current pledge to get the box.

Let's speak hypothetically for a moment. What happens if the project does not get back over 700%? Is that the end of the red deck discussion? Or will they consider creating another Kickstarter project to fund the red deck?
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Don Boyer on June 02, 2013, 12:31:14 AM
Project Update #7:

Thanks for the teaser "Royal Optik Red"

I really wish there was more I could do to help make it happen (bump)  ;)

To say nothing of a fine, handcrafted wooden box that holds at least a half-dozen decks...  :))

No doubt the box is beautiful. They were already gone by the time I got the email that five more had been added. Do you know if these boxes will be branded with the Uusi name? That would be a nice touch. I think what ended up happening is instead of new backers of the project, existing backers ended up upgrading their current pledge to get the box.

Let's speak hypothetically for a moment. What happens if the project does not get back over 700%? Is that the end of the red deck discussion? Or will they consider creating another Kickstarter project to fund the red deck?

I got a closer look at that box - a brick of cards in a beautiful wooden case.  Nice.

I don't know if they will be Uusi-branded, but I'd be surprised if they weren't identified in some manner as being from Uusi's studio.  And as long as the money comes in, so what if it's from an existing backer?  He likely has added as much to the project as any new investor to upgrade, because in most cases whatever goodies they may have pledged for already they would still want!

As far as the red deck, I can't speak with utter authority, but having some idea of what Peter and Linnea are doing overall, I'd say no, if 700% isn't reached, no red deck, period and they'd be moving on to the next deck project.  Remember, they're a design company first - they intend to release exactly six designs and no more.  Is it possible they'd change their minds?  Anything is possible, but I wouldn't call it probable.

So what that means is that you need to drum up word about this awesome deck and get more people on the bandwagon if you want that cool red deck!
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Card Player on June 04, 2013, 04:35:36 PM
So excited to get these! The red looks amazing. Pleasant surprise when I saw this update sitting in my email. To be honest, the custom brick boxes are nice, but the red deck was a necessity of completeness.

THE RED DECK IS HERE!! - Project Update #8
Quote
Hi Everyone!

We promised you that if we got 700% of our goal that we'd introduce a red Royal Optik deck and make it available to you – but we, like you, just couldn't wait! We're making that deck available NOW! As a trade-off, in order to make this happen, we've had to make a few little changes, none of which I think you'll be entirely unhappy about.

The first change is that the custom brick box is now an overfunding goal at 700% instead of the red deck. The second change is that, rather than promising that exactly 5,000 Black decks will be made, we will make NO MORE than 5,000 – and quite possibly less, depending in part on the demands of the people pledging. The more black decks you pledge for, the more we'll make, up to the 5,000 deck limit. The red deck will be printed in whatever quantities are needed though it is very unlikely that we'll be ordering more than 5,000 of that deck as well.

Please note that the red deck will be offered ONLY AS AN ADD-ON. Any orders for decks in the reward tiers are for the black deck only. If you simply want to addd red decks to your existing reward tier, just add the required amount for the quantity you want. If you have more than one deck in your reward tier and want to swap out some black decks for red ones you can message us your changes to your reward tier. We will get back to you only if there is a problem with your swap, (ie, you've added more decks to your pledge than you have funding for).

The Add-On Chart below will also be appearing on the project home page and will be made as clear as possible. You'll be able to add other items as well, including black decks. In order to comply with Kickstarter rules, only 12 decks total per backer please.

Hope you enjoy the new red deck and please keep spreading the word on Royal Optik!

Linnea & Peter
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Don Boyer on June 05, 2013, 01:39:01 AM
So excited to get these! The red looks amazing. Pleasant surprise when I saw this update sitting in my email. To be honest, the custom brick boxes are nice, but the red deck was a necessity of completeness.

THE RED DECK IS HERE!! - Project Update #8
Quote
Hi Everyone!

We promised you that if we got 700% of our goal that we'd introduce a red Royal Optik deck and make it available to you – but we, like you, just couldn't wait! We're making that deck available NOW! As a trade-off, in order to make this happen, we've had to make a few little changes, none of which I think you'll be entirely unhappy about.

The first change is that the custom brick box is now an overfunding goal at 700% instead of the red deck. The second change is that, rather than promising that exactly 5,000 Black decks will be made, we will make NO MORE than 5,000 – and quite possibly less, depending in part on the demands of the people pledging. The more black decks you pledge for, the more we'll make, up to the 5,000 deck limit. The red deck will be printed in whatever quantities are needed though it is very unlikely that we'll be ordering more than 5,000 of that deck as well.

Please note that the red deck will be offered ONLY AS AN ADD-ON. Any orders for decks in the reward tiers are for the black deck only. If you simply want to addd red decks to your existing reward tier, just add the required amount for the quantity you want. If you have more than one deck in your reward tier and want to swap out some black decks for red ones you can message us your changes to your reward tier. We will get back to you only if there is a problem with your swap, (ie, you've added more decks to your pledge than you have funding for).

The Add-On Chart below will also be appearing on the project home page and will be made as clear as possible. You'll be able to add other items as well, including black decks. In order to comply with Kickstarter rules, only 12 decks total per backer please.

Hope you enjoy the new red deck and please keep spreading the word on Royal Optik!

Linnea & Peter

I wrote most of the copy you see in that update!  I take pride in my work!  :))

I'm very happy that Peter and Linnea opted to go for the red deck earlier than planned.  It's been barely more than a half-day and the pledges shot up by close to $5,000!

Deck designers - take note!  A second deck color, timed correctly, can really goose the bottom line.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Emmanuel on June 05, 2013, 11:52:09 AM
I love that shade of red that they used, gorgeous deck all around :)
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Card Player on June 05, 2013, 07:43:55 PM
Quote
Deck designers - take note!  A second deck color, timed correctly, can really goose the bottom line.

Not taking anything away from the timing but this had more to do with the design and the project. Adding another deck before getting the overfunding is a calculated risk for any Kickstarter. One that I'm sure will payoff in this particular example.

The original stretch goal of 700% would have put Royal Optik at $63,000. We are not quite there yet. I hope everything works out in the end numbers wise for Uusi. This project deserves the support.

With the early release of the Red Deck, this project has that Labor of Love Tag written all over it.

Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Don Boyer on June 06, 2013, 06:54:42 AM
Quote
Deck designers - take note!  A second deck color, timed correctly, can really goose the bottom line.

Not taking anything away from the timing but this had more to do with the design and the project. Adding another deck before getting the overfunding is a calculated risk for any Kickstarter. One that I'm sure will payoff in this particular example.

The original stretch goal of 700% would have put Royal Optik at $63,000. We are not quite there yet. I hope everything works out in the end numbers wise for Uusi. This project deserves the support.

With the early release of the Red Deck, this project has that Labor of Love Tag written all over it.

I know...

What I meant by the timing was waiting until they were into overfunding and could clearly cover the costs of the second color deck without cramping the profits.  We're saying the same thing in different ways.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: uusikissa1 on June 06, 2013, 11:54:12 AM
Quote
Deck designers - take note!  A second deck color, timed correctly, can really goose the bottom line.

Not taking anything away from the timing but this had more to do with the design and the project. Adding another deck before getting the overfunding is a calculated risk for any Kickstarter. One that I'm sure will payoff in this particular example.

The original stretch goal of 700% would have put Royal Optik at $63,000. We are not quite there yet. I hope everything works out in the end numbers wise for Uusi. This project deserves the support.

With the early release of the Red Deck, this project has that Labor of Love Tag written all over it.

Hi Legacy,

I just read your post and yes, these decks pretty much are a "Labor of Love". For some reason we really do not catch fire with the KS playing card backers. I think it is partly that we are very different from the vast majority of decks being made – our tuck boxes in particular do not follow the traditional look or template – and partly that we are not offering more popular, unlimited over funding items like dice or poker chips. It seems like Backers who seek our decks out, like yourself, are looking for something different and are extremely supportive and a pleasure to work with.  Success for us is creating something that matters and that feels complete, which is exactly why we brought out the red deck. Over funding is awesome at any level and obviously the more funding we get the more we can produce for this market. Though it would be sweet to see larger amounts of backers, it is wonderful to know the decks will be made. We can't wait to send them on to everyone!
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: JacksonRobinson on June 06, 2013, 06:36:26 PM
You guys are doing an awesome job! So many projects now are like flea markets. I love that you guys are focusing on the quality of your decks as apposed to the visual vomit of rewards and trinkets. You guys have already established yourselves as one of the top designers when it comes to quality, awesome work keep it up. The shear number of projects out right now will only serve as a crucible for the peoples standards and expectations, a situation in which you guys will come out on top of when the bubble bursts.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Paul Carpenter on June 06, 2013, 08:30:59 PM
You guys are doing an awesome job! So many projects now are like flea markets. I love that you guys are focusing on the quality of your decks as apposed to the visual vomit of rewards and trinkets.

Agreed, amen and hallelujah to that. Way, way too many projects these days set tiny goals and then throw a dozen products at you hoping to make up the difference. It is a breath of fresh air to see thoughtful, complete design and just a couple highly-relevant items in a campaign. Maybe it won't break "records" but at least it makes the project easy to understand and deliver.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Emmanuel on June 07, 2013, 01:08:47 AM
Agreed with everything said. Quality always trumps quantity.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: uusikissa1 on June 07, 2013, 06:31:13 PM
First off I want to thank Jackson for posting our deck in an update to his backers today. It was an incredibly generous gesture that we greatly appreciated and is an awesome role model for other project creators. I suspect you are building up some mighty good karma there, Jackson!  Plan on being overwhelmed by your upcoming project :o  (I don't know what the hell that emoticon means, but I am using it as a super-rabid fan face who is dying to see more of that limited black deck!!)

Paul, your contribution to these discussions and your support of our projects from the beginning means so much to us!

We also agree with everyone that the bigger topic here is staying true to your design beliefs and not trying to pander and exploit a market that is having a moment. The second you give in to the chase for dollars over content you lose whatever was worth having about your idea. Its a one and done model that I don't think any of us want to participate in. We are honored to be included in such great company, to learn and share with everyone here and are looking forward to seeing how the custom deck market and your work in particular, evolves over the next few years.  Super exciting!!

Linnea
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Collector on June 07, 2013, 07:00:23 PM
I just read your post and yes, these decks pretty much are a "Labor of Love". For some reason we really do not catch fire with the KS playing card backers. I think it is partly that we are very different from the vast majority of decks being made – our tuck boxes in particular do not follow the traditional look or template – and partly that we are not offering more popular, unlimited over funding items like dice or poker chips...

Pop will be always more popular but... Uusi, please, stay Jazz.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Don Boyer on June 08, 2013, 12:42:23 AM
I just read your post and yes, these decks pretty much are a "Labor of Love". For some reason we really do not catch fire with the KS playing card backers. I think it is partly that we are very different from the vast majority of decks being made – our tuck boxes in particular do not follow the traditional look or template – and partly that we are not offering more popular, unlimited over funding items like dice or poker chips. It seems like Backers who seek our decks out, like yourself, are looking for something different and are extremely supportive and a pleasure to work with.  Success for us is creating something that matters and that feels complete, which is exactly why we brought out the red deck. Over funding is awesome at any level and obviously the more funding we get the more we can produce for this market. Though it would be sweet to see larger amounts of backers, it is wonderful to know the decks will be made. We can't wait to send them on to everyone!

My friends, while your deck might not be the blazing inferno of a Pedale Design or a Federal 52 (and now, Name of the Wind), you're indeed on fire.  Even in the early days of this Kickstarter trend for creating custom playing card decks, earning the kind of numbers that you guys are earning was considered pretty remarkable - and really, it still is.  As of this moment, you're funded at just over 475% of your goal, with over a week remaining - and it's not like you chose some low-ball goal to start with, either.  Considering that most projects that are big successes often receive a big ramp-up in funding towards the end of the campaign, you're on track now to easily surpass what you earned on the Bohemia project, and possibly by a significant number.  I'm predicting you'll close somewhere between 600-700% of you goal, minimum.  That's $54-63K, folks!

Don't sell this success short by any means - your project is a hit, plain and simple, and yet another milestone in a proven track record of success.  I can show you countless projects whose backers would give you their vital organs to have numbers as good as yours!
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: uusikissa1 on June 08, 2013, 09:36:11 AM
I just read your post and yes, these decks pretty much are a "Labor of Love". For some reason we really do not catch fire with the KS playing card backers. I think it is partly that we are very different from the vast majority of decks being made – our tuck boxes in particular do not follow the traditional look or template – and partly that we are not offering more popular, unlimited over funding items like dice or poker chips...

Pop will be always more popular but... Uusi, please, stay Jazz.

Ha! love that line, but I'm probably a little more metal than jazz...
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Card Player on August 24, 2013, 12:57:32 PM
I received my mixed brick of Royal Optik decks on Thursday. I had an opportunity to open the package today. So happy I backed this deck. I've really enjoyed watching the transition that many designers are making from design first to attention to function details. This deck embodies Uusi more then any deck they have created to date. The pips have a Uusi style of their own. I really like how Uusi's wood working was incorporated in the line work of the Pips. The court cards are simply amazing!! Awesome that Uusi decided to stay with the RO Limited Seal for both decks. It does not get more perfect of a Kickstarter project then this.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: Nurul on September 12, 2013, 08:01:03 AM
I just went to pick up my decks from he post office. Man, times like this I wished I lived in America because customs is a bitch. On this occasion, it's worh it though - Uusi, your decks r some of me favourite. I love the way you package the decks too, so neat and tightly boxed and then put in an envelope, not just crammed in like most companies do. Hats off to you, congratulations again on another successful deck. I look forward to the rest of the series.
Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: uusikissa1 on September 12, 2013, 03:36:51 PM
Thanks so much Brownmagacian!

Title: Re: Royal Optik, from Uusi (KS)
Post by: uusikissa1 on September 12, 2013, 03:38:22 PM
Also wanted thank everyone here for all the support and compliments. We apologize for disappearing for awhile, we are just now coming up for a brief (very brief) breath of air after getting the bulk of the Royal Optik deck orders out and simultaneously running BB Redux. So its back off to shop for me to finish the case goods for RO, while Linnea will be jumping back on BB Redux and all that's involved in that project. Phew... It's totally worth it though when we have supporters of our designs like we have here at the Discourse.

Thanks again!

P & L