Black Widow Deck

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

Hey Everyone!  Here is another project I am working on with my designer.  Everything is hand drawn as usual.  I wanted to post a couple different options of the back of the card we are working on.  Please let me know which one you like the best.  The box is a work in progress.  We are going to work on the lettering Widow some more.   Let me know what you think.  Thanks!

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

Tuck Box!

[Don Boyer]

As much as I'm a big fan of two-way backs, this deck really rocks with that HUGE-A$$ spider on the one-way back.

If you're sticking to a two-way design instead, go for the one at the bottom.  To me that looks better, perhaps even a bit more menacing.  But take the flies out of the web's center and offset them a little - each spider tracking a different fly would look more visually interesting and (should you opt to do so) would allow you to put something in the center - or not.

Perhaps an already-cocooned fly!

[sprouts1115]

Jamm - You really need to make me believe the hour glass in on the bottom of the spider.  I can't tell.  Maybe if you put the spider in the upper left corner fighting the fly at the center at a diagonal that would work better.  If the the red hour glass shows up in the fan that would be a plus.  Maybe go 3-D.  Randy knows 3-D.  Maybe, the Widow is fighting the fly through the web.

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

Jamm - You really need to make me believe the hour glass in on the bottom of the spider.  I can't tell.  Maybe if you put the spider in the upper left corner fighting the fly at the center at a diagonal that would work better.  If the the red hour glass shows up in the fan that would be a plus.  Maybe go 3-D.  Randy knows 3-D.  Maybe, the Widow is fighting the spider through the web.

Thanks for all the feedback, as usual it is helpful. Glad people like it so far. Yes we are being more stylized not actual on this design.  We are taking artistic liberties with the hour glass - is it on the front or back, up to interpretation to the viewer. 

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

As much as I'm a big fan of two-way backs, this deck really rocks with that HUGE-A$$ spider on the one-way back.

If you're sticking to a two-way design instead, go for the one at the bottom.  To me that looks better, perhaps even a bit more menacing.  But take the flies out of the web's center and offset them a little - each spider tracking a different fly would look more visually interesting and (should you opt to do so) would allow you to put something in the center - or not.

Perhaps an already-cocooned fly!

I know Don, I love two-way designs as well but the first option is one of my favorites. I am not sure how the card community will react to the one way design.  Thanks for the feedback!

[Vadim Smolenskiy]

I know Don, I love two-way designs as well but the first option is one of my favorites. I am not sure how the card community will react to the one way design.  Thanks for the feedback!

What if you put the "butt" for lack of a better word of the widow in the middle of the back of the card and give her two heads (one facing up, the other down). Sure, you'll lose some "real" factor but it will make it reversible AND the red hour glass will be in the center!

Could be worth a shot!

-Kleetz

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

I know Don, I love two-way designs as well but the first option is one of my favorites. I am not sure how the card community will react to the one way design.  Thanks for the feedback!

What if you put the "butt" for lack of a better word of the widow in the middle of the back of the card and give her two heads (one facing up, the other down). Sure, you'll lose some "real" factor but it will make it reversible AND the red hour glass will be in the center!

Could be worth a shot!

-Kleetz

That is a great idea!  We tried that and with the legs it looks messy and doesnt work to well. thanks for the suggestion!  Appreciate all the feedback!

[Vadim Smolenskiy]

That is a great idea!  We tried that and with the legs it looks messy and doesnt work to well. thanks for the suggestion!  Appreciate all the feedback!

The four hind legs could connect (morph into each other), that would make it less messy. I'll keep thinking!

[Don Boyer]

I know Don, I love two-way designs as well but the first option is one of my favorites. I am not sure how the card community will react to the one way design.  Thanks for the feedback!

What if you put the "butt" for lack of a better word of the widow in the middle of the back of the card and give her two heads (one facing up, the other down). Sure, you'll lose some "real" factor but it will make it reversible AND the red hour glass will be in the center!

Could be worth a shot!

-Kleetz

That is a great idea!  We tried that and with the legs it looks messy and doesnt work to well. thanks for the suggestion!  Appreciate all the feedback!

Seriously, the idea Kleetz suggested is good, as is the big one-way back.  Regardless of your final choice, making that spider HUGE really makes the deck back striking.

I'd suggest using a light shade of gray for the details on the card back - perhaps even multiple shades of lighter gray.  If the gray is too dark, it won't stand out well against all that black.

Yes, real Black Widow spiders have their hourglass on the underside - but who cares?  If you REALLY wanted to make it a more authentic design, however, put the spider UNDER the web, outlined in white rather than gray!  You could have a bit of fun with making the mouth big enough to see and scary enough to spark children's nightmares!  You always see spiders drawn from above, but rarely see them drawn from below - and below is where all the action is!

[sprouts1115]

"real Black Widow spiders have their hourglass on the underside - but who cares?"  This is what symbolizes a Black Widow spider.  Symbolism in a deck of cards goes a long way...

[Rob Wright]

I really like the concept here, but I have to say the hourglass is killing me. I do not see a hourglass. I see two red triangles. It doesn't match the geometry of the rest of the back. look at the picture Sprouts posted of a real Black Widow. The hourglass should be closer to that, and maybe a little smaller. I would round the outer four corners off. I would leave the center pretty narrow, but still round the points in like this- )( 
JMO!

[Don Boyer]

I really like the concept here, but I have to say the hourglass is killing me. I do not see a hourglass. I see two red triangles. It doesn't match the geometry of the rest of the back. look at the picture Sprouts posted of a real Black Widow. The hourglass should be closer to that, and maybe a little smaller. I would round the outer four corners off. I would leave the center pretty narrow, but still round the points in like this- )( 
JMO!

Honestly, if he made his "hourglass" look like the one on the underside of a real Black Widow spider,  it would look almost more like a barbell weight used in strength training.  It's a bit stylized but I have no issues at all with the "two red triangles" of the hourglass.

As you stated, just your opinion.  We all have 'em.

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

I really like the concept here, but I have to say the hourglass is killing me. I do not see a hourglass. I see two red triangles. It doesn't match the geometry of the rest of the back. look at the picture Sprouts posted of a real Black Widow. The hourglass should be closer to that, and maybe a little smaller. I would round the outer four corners off. I would leave the center pretty narrow, but still round the points in like this- )( 
JMO!

Honestly, if he made his "hourglass" look like the one on the underside of a real Black Widow spider,  it would look almost more like a barbell weight used in strength training.  It's a bit stylized but I have no issues at all with the "two red triangles" of the hourglass.

As you stated, just your opinion.  We all have 'em.

The hourglass with the sharp edges ending up looking sharper and more menacing than rounded edges.

[Fess]

I really like the concept here, but I have to say the hourglass is killing me. I do not see a hourglass. I see two red triangles. It doesn't match the geometry of the rest of the back. look at the picture Sprouts posted of a real Black Widow. The hourglass should be closer to that, and maybe a little smaller. I would round the outer four corners off. I would leave the center pretty narrow, but still round the points in like this- )( 
JMO!

Honestly, if he made his "hourglass" look like the one on the underside of a real Black Widow spider,  it would look almost more like a barbell weight used in strength training.  It's a bit stylized but I have no issues at all with the "two red triangles" of the hourglass.

As you stated, just your opinion.  We all have 'em.

The hourglass with the sharp edges ending up looking sharper and more menacing than rounded edges.

Just need to say this, it actually does look like two triangles meeting at their tips. That's not umm, you know the best thing. Smoothed out and a little more organic while keeping the menacing appeal of sharp edges may be the way to go. Just sayin... 

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

The Ace of Spades turned out great!  Here is the Ace of Spades for the Black Deck.

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

With this deck we have custom hand drawn court cards but I wanted them have a  "standard" court card feel. We are adding the web in our custom court cards to add the spider flare to it.

Black Widow Deck coming soon to kickstarter.

[Levent Suberk]

Very good design, especially first card back and ace of spades. If you want to use two spiders you can scale down first card back. Card faces may be look better on a black background.

[Don Boyer]

This is looking good, so far.  I like how you're modifying courts to a) have webs in them, but more importantly, b) be original while at the same time look traditional.  Good work, and not an easy balance to strike.

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

This is looking good, so far.  I like how you're modifying courts to a) have webs in them, but more importantly, b) be original while at the same time look traditional.  Good work, and not an easy balance to strike.

Thanks Don!  I appreciate the feedback!

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

Very good design, especially first card back and ace of spades. If you want to use two spiders you can scale down first card back. Card faces may be look better on a black background.

Thanks Levent!

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

Coming soon to Kickstarter in Mid June

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

Red and Black Decks

[Don Boyer]

Red and Black Decks

Pretty!  Any special features you're considering?  Y'know - embossing, custom seals, etc.?

This would be a great project for UV inks on the cards, covering the webbing!  It would give it a 3-D effect!  Or perhaps even hot foil stamping for the webs!

[Jamm Pakd Cards]

Red and Black Decks

Pretty!  Any special features you're considering?  Y'know - embossing, custom seals, etc.?

This would be a great project for UV inks on the cards, covering the webbing!  It would give it a 3-D effect!  Or perhaps even hot foil stamping for the webs!

Hey Don, Thanks!  Yes both boxes will have embossed, foil features and the box will have a pattern on the inside.  Another good feature is the black deck will have foil on the back of the card.