The Style Deck by BEDECEIVED

[Linguist_]

I'm a huge fan of surrealism so I'd be more than happy with a surrealist inspired deck; mind you, I love skulls and things too so I love the Karnival series where most people go 'ugh, more skulls?'. My own picture of a deck inspired by the word 'mystery' was more minimalist, I think but surreal works too.

I guess I could see how surrealism might seem like horror, but it's more about unexpected or impossible things, or things that make you look twice rather than making you screw up your face or be shocked, like horror might.

I really enjoy the Style deck - nice and simplistic on the face and quite bold on the backs with a box that is very stylish and handling that seems effortless. I can understand where Colin comes from being a brand new company and using branding in their first deck to establish the brand and if they are turning it down for future releases then that's great.

[Don Boyer]

Hey guys!  I want to say thank you to all of you who have ordered the Style Deck thus far!  Hopefully most of you have enjoyed them!  They've been getting great reviews on Youtube and Facebook, so that's something great! 


I recognize the two main art concerns - the court cards and the backs.  I'd like to address them here, even if I've addressed them elsewhere.  Hopefully it will convince some of you to own this deck, and if not - at least it will offer some insight into some of our motivations   I plan to go in more detail here than I have elsewhere.


The backs:  I can honestly say that the backs did not look amazing on the photoshop mockups pictures.  I agree there.  I liked them from the start, but as people pointed out different things they definitely lost value to me.  In the beginning we asked for a design that incorporated the logo.  We wanted something simple that incorporated the logo, because we were trying to build up our brand.  We're a new company, so having that brand recognition was one thing that was kept on the forefront.  You can see the logo on the box, the back design, and the jokers.  I admit that is a lot of branding, however it gives a good "theme" to the deck (honestly) and with our next decks we're going for much less branding and logo-ing. 


One thing I do have to say about the back design is that you cannot judge it until you have it in your hands.  I know that sounds like a cop-out to get you to buy it, but I'm serious.  Like I said, I wasn't too wild about it after a while, but when i got my first deck and pulled them out of the box - I instantly fell in love.  While I may be a bit biased, I seriously love the backs, and they really POP and draw attention (in a good way of course).  Along with the dots on the tuck box, it adds a casino sort of feel to it.  These backs are definitely unique, and the only similarity between them and any deck I can find is the Smoke and Mirrors with the logo, but even that is completely different in this regard.  They are one of a kind, and when spread out they have a nice red ribbon going across them, which adds a cool touch to your ribbon spreads. 


Next comes the court cards.  I've explained these the most, and I can completely 100% see where people feel they look like the Sentinels.  I've never disagreed with that.  What I've disagreed with is that they are the same thing.  If you look closely (Evan does a great job of showing them side by side) the Sentinels are a lot busier and use more color.  What IS similar is the "zoomed out" look.  You could say the shape is the same, but the shape is the same as a bicycle deck - just zoomed out without the border around it.  So yes, they look similar.  They aren't the same, and personally - while I love the Sentinels a lot (they were my favorite at one point) - I like the Style Deck's court cards a lot more.  They're very simple, easy to recognize, and definitely "stylish". 


To add another point, these are the best cards I've ever felt.  They are perfect for how I like my cards to feel.  Really soft and springy. They spring great, anaconda like a dream, and plus the box is really really awesome (my favorite part).


Also remember that we have a 60 day guarantee.  I'm honestly saying that you need to look at these backs yourself and let them grow on you.  Buy them, check them out, and if they don't grow on you you can send them back in their original condition and I will refund all of your money and even pay for the shipping back.  That's how sure I am that these will grow on you.  And if not, hey!  There's always next deck (Which has begun design)!


tl;dr:  Just get them.  If you don't like them you can send them back.




Hope you all have a great day, and if you have any questions at all you can post in this thread (I'll try to check it often) or email me at ceo@bedeceived.com.  We also have a pretty cool live chat feature on the site that goes straight to me when I'm online, so you can ask stuff on there. 


Love,
Collin

I appreciate the effort you're making in reaching out to the community about your deck.  I actually ended up buying some.  They aren't my favorite deck, but certain aspects of the design have grown on me and the handling is great.

One question: was it intentional to have all four kings with the same face, as well as the queens and the jacks?  I would have preferred a little difference in facial expressions, something besides the suit to give the images more personality.

[Bedeceived]

I believe (I don't have one by me)  that in standards all of the faces are the same.  That may be where our designer got it

[Don Boyer]

I believe (I don't have one by me)  that in standards all of the faces are the same.  That may be where our designer got it

Actually, no.  In a Bicycle deck, each face has a distinctive appearance and features that allow you to tell them from the other faces.

King/Spades: curly moustache, scalloped beard, hair curls out, bears a sword pointing up.
King/Hearts: no moustache, split beard, hair curls in, bearing a sword held horizontally behind his head (hence the "suicide king" nickname)
King/Clubs: curly moustache, split beard, hair curls out with loose locks on his right, bears a sword pointing up.
King/Diamonds: head in profile facing his right, moustache, beard curled out, hair curled in, bears an vertical axe behind his head.
Queen/Spades: small eyes, pushed in nose, hair confined under headpiece, younger appearance, bears a flower and scepter.
Queen/Hearts: large eyes, full nose, hair scalloped at edge of headpiece, older appearance, bears a flower only.
Queen/Clubs: small eyes, full nose, hair in a wave peeking out from headpiece, much older appearance, bears a flower.
Queen/Diamonds: similar to Clubs except larger eyes and not as old in appearance.
Jack/Spades: head in profile facing his left, curly moustache, no beard, hair curls both in and out, bears a scepter.
Jack/Hearts: head in profile facing his right, curly moustache, no beard, long hair curled out, bears a vertical axe behind him and a feather in front of him.
Jack/Clubs: no moustache, no beard, hair curls out, feather in headpiece, bears a spear.
Jack/Diamonds: no moustache, no beard, hair curls out, bears a pike.

No standard deck I've ever seen has identical-looking faces throughout.  Some people might like that, but most people prefer something that hews a little closer to the standard, at least in that the court cards' faces should all have distinctive appearances making them easily distinguishable from each other.  If you believe the ancient lore about playing card designs, the cards were meant at one time to represent famous historical figures, so they were never meant to look identical to each other.  It's in the Wikipedia article, "Playing Card".

Consider this for your next deck, if you would, please.  Like I said, the Style deck has grown on me some and I do enjoy the handling.  The indices are particularly unique, and I'm rather fond of them.  While this one isn't my favorite deck, perhaps the next deck will be.  I'm at least interested enough to see.

Please, for all that's good in the card design world, don't fall into the trap that some others have - focus more on the CARDS than on the BOX that they come in!  A pretty box is a wonderful thing, but if the cards don't live up to it, there's little point.

[Bedeceived]

Of course.  I've learned a lot from looking at some recent deck releases that got some pretty bad reviews based on the facts that it was crap in a pretty box.


Thank you for the tips!

Collin

[Bedeceived]

The decks sold out today!  i want to give another huge thank you to all of you who purchased.  Now if only we can sell out these uncut sheets!

I've seen the kings and some queens of the Mystery Deck, and omg are they amazing.  I think you guys are seriously going to love them - and I think they bring something totally unique to the field.  I know a lot of people say that, but these are seriously unique.  We didn't show our designer ANY playing card designs for inspiration.  We only showed some art and told him our concept.  Again, we went with a non-playing card designer like with the first deck, however Jason did not design this one. I really think you guys are going to enjoy it.

Collin

[cosmicsecret]

Congratulations!
3 Style decks are on the way to germany for me
Would have ordered a uncut sheet in addition but kicked it out of my cart in the last minute.
Sooo many new decks are being released in the last time....and that means spending your hard cash wisely...
Wish you all the best with the Mystery deck!
Hopefully you will  show up with something unique as you said (as i said soo many decks being released)

 

[Linguist_]

The decks sold out today!  i want to give another huge thank you to all of you who purchased.  Now if only we can sell out these uncut sheets!

I've seen the kings and some queens of the Mystery Deck, and omg are they amazing.  I think you guys are seriously going to love them - and I think they bring something totally unique to the field.  I know a lot of people say that, but these are seriously unique.  We didn't show our designer ANY playing card designs for inspiration.  We only showed some art and told him our concept.  Again, we went with a non-playing card designer like with the first deck, however Jason did not design this one. I really think you guys are going to enjoy it.

Collin

Congratulations! I've got my uncut sheet still in the tube waiting to be framed . This is the first deck that I've purchased from the initial release that has then sold out. I must say it is a greater experience on my bank account than finding it from a reseller some time after!

Also, cue the obligatory 'when do you think it'll be released?' at the first mention of a new deck. I doubt the name of the deck 'Mystery' will deter them from asking!

[Evan]

Congrats on selling out of them! That's a huge accomplishment for the company. I'll be honest... I didn't except the Style deck to go very far but it did and I was extremely happy with the deck. I'm very excited to see the Mystery deck!

[Bedeceived]

Hopefully you will  show up with something unique as you said (as i said soo many decks being released)

I honestly think this is something that will differ from anything else out there.  But it's a Mystery

The decks sold out today!  i want to give another huge thank you to all of you who purchased.  Now if only we can sell out these uncut sheets!

I've seen the kings and some queens of the Mystery Deck, and omg are they amazing.  I think you guys are seriously going to love them - and I think they bring something totally unique to the field.  I know a lot of people say that, but these are seriously unique.  We didn't show our designer ANY playing card designs for inspiration.  We only showed some art and told him our concept.  Again, we went with a non-playing card designer like with the first deck, however Jason did not design this one. I really think you guys are going to enjoy it.

Collin

Also, cue the obligatory 'when do you think it'll be released?' at the first mention of a new deck. I doubt the name of the deck 'Mystery' will deter them from asking!

We're hoping to release it in June!  So far I've only seen the kings and a queen, and we're developing around a card every day or 2.  So by the time the final touches are put on and everything is printed, it will be June

Congrats on selling out of them! That's a huge accomplishment for the company. I'll be honest... I didn't except the Style deck to go very far but it did and I was extremely happy with the deck. I'm very excited to see the Mystery deck!

Thank you! Me too!

You guys have a wonderful community here.  I have the Shell, but I'm certainly honored to be a part of this group of people.


Collin

[Don Boyer]

Congratulations on your successful sell-out.  Maybe you can hold some sheets for contest prizes, or offer some on eBay?

You guys have a wonderful community here.  I have the Shell, but I'm certainly honored to be a part of this group of people.


Collin

What's the Shell?  The only capital-S "Shell" I know is the fuel company...

[Bedeceived]

it's the Bedeceived Forums.

Collin