SOUNDBOARDS - A deck in progress from Patrick Varnavas, Stuart Palm and LPCC

[Patrick Varnavas]

Hello all!
I'm here today to talk about a deck of cards I've been working on together with Stuart Palm and LPCC. The cards are called Soundboards, themed around a combination of music equipment from different generations. The project has only very recently started to develop and I figured this would be a perfect opportunity to involve the community of card enthusiasts in the design process.

Current Back Design (Subject to Change):



1st sketch:




Ace of Spades Concept:




The tuck case will be designed to appear and open like a cassette player. Basing the tuck case off of this device:




Currently that's all we have to show for this project. Changes and edits are frequently being made, nothing is set in stone. We would greatly appreciate any opinions or suggestions, all will be taken into account during the design process. We've still got a long way to go with this project, and we're excited to continue working on the Soundboards.

Thanks so much,
Patrick Varnavas

[Will W.]

http://www.vat19.com/item/cassette-tape-deck-playing-cards

I have a deck similar to your idea already in my collection.
You can see an example of it at the web address that I've posted.

[Patrick Varnavas]

That is indeed similar to what I was going for! You seem to have used actual plastic cases for the box, we were trying to create a tuck case made of traditional materials that emulated that look. I was considering using a single ad card with the cassette tape printed on it that would be visible through a plastic window in the side of the box. I didn't want to outright use the cassette tape as a back design though, rather I wanted to create something different but thematically fitting. Thanks for the input!

[Will W.]

If you made the tuck look like a cassette player rather than the cassette itself. That would be unique. I also like the idea to use traditional materials rather than plastic.

[Don Boyer]

I'd consider making a "deluxe" version with the player case and a "standard" version with a standard tuck box.  I'm thinking that the case design you have in mind could be prohibitively expensive for most people.

A side-loading tuck box would be an excellent alternative if you couldn't make the cassette player without breaking the bank.  Visually it's somewhat reminiscent of a cassette or a handheld player.  USPC, Legends PCC and Expert PCC all can make side-loading tucks for you, though USPC may be more expensive - they're likely to use a third-party manufacturer for the boxes.

BTW: the design is very promising so far - I like what I'm seeing.

[ecNate]

I love the idea of this theme, but undecided on how well it will translate to cards.  Will wait and see once face cards are provided.

I don't know how you can incorporate CDs and digital music into the back design, but it would be neat if that could be worked in.  I like that you are planning a cardstock tuckbox that appears to be a cassette case instead of actual plastic.  Radical 80s also had a similar case, but actual plastic there.

[Patrick Varnavas]

Thanks everybody for the input! The box has been a major point of focus for us, as we believe that a unique box could be a major selling point. I considered using the current sideways tuck design with embossing, foil and such, but I felt that it would be a little lackluster. I'm really hoping that the tuck case we create can be used for future projects as a feasible tuck case style. This decision was mainly inspired by the Buck Twin's Private Reserve decks. I would like to take the same path and create a new style of box, something that will draw interest and create great first impressions.

My plans for pricing on the decks of cards would most likely fall between the $7-$9 range, depending on how many we choose to print. I think this price is more than reasonable considering the current state of the premium playing card market. The key here is to create a new style of tuck case that can be produced/sold in the same price range as other tuck cases. If I have to invest more money on my end to make this a reality, I will.

Again, thanks so much for the input! Very much appreciated.

-Patrick Varnavas

[publius]

Love the concept. Can't wait to see what you come up with. One tiny little design comment on the back design - where your tape is flowing over the rollers and reels, it may look better if it was connected, like you have in your original sketch. You could add a tiny little space between the tape itself and the roller so it flows over the roller without actually touching it, but the tape is always connected to itself. I know it's nit picky, but I'm a designer as well - I can't help myself. Great concept.