World War II - Floating Fortress Commemoration Deck

[alvinhy]

Hey, I thought I would create a D&D thread to post the progress of the design and get some feedback from the community.

Inspired by World War II battleships (especially pearl harbour ones), Since its 75 years already since pearl harbour, I thought I would create a commemoration deck. As Don suggested, the courts will be designed based on the captains etc... But need to check if there are any copyright issues with that.

Hope you like this project!

[Don Boyer]

Hey, I thought I would create a D&D thread to post the progress of the design and get some feedback from the community.

Inspired by World War II battleships (especially pearl harbour ones), Since its 75 years already since pearl harbour, I thought I would create a commemoration deck. As Don suggested, the courts will be designed based on the captains etc... But need to check if there are any copyright issues with that.

Hope you like this project!

If you're using "historical figures" that are no longer alive, you're probably fine.  If you use generic figures, you're totally fine.  If you use people who are still alive, you probably need their permission.  Check with an intellectual property lawyer - your mileage may vary.

I can say with certainty that, as products of the US Government's contracts, the ships of the US Navy (at least the ones they publicly acknowledge, which aren't top secret vessels!) are considered to be in the public domain and can be freely reproduced in your deck without restrictions.  However, consider getting your deck "officially licensed" anyway - it never hurts to have the official imprimatur on your product like that, allowing you to state in your advertisements that it's "the official WWII 75th anniversary commemorative deck of the US Navy" or words to that effect.  You'd have to pay for your license, but the bump it can give you in sales could offset that cost and then some.

[alvinhy]

That's interesting Don!
I've been looking around forever to find information about that.

I'll find out where I can get a license for that. I'll probably need to contact someone in the USA, since don't think the UK would have anything to do with US navy.
You recon I should just email someone from the US Navy department?

EDIT: I found the link to licensing / trademark for the US Navy: http://www.navy.mil/trademarks/

[alvinhy]

Latest update of the design.
Still working on the back design. But here is what I got so far
Any feedback is appreciated!

[Sarah F]

The tuck box design is really nice!

My only suggestion is in the coloring of the "fortress." Looking back at the gray version, there was something elegant to the whole design. Now with this royal blue, it feels more busy. But I wonder if you shift the coloring of the "fortress" to be cooler, the whole design will feel united?  Or even better yet, a richer navy would do the trick to bring back the elegance? Just my thoughts!

[alvinhy]

The tuck box design is really nice!

My only suggestion is in the coloring of the "fortress." Looking back at the gray version, there was something elegant to the whole design. Now with this royal blue, it feels more busy. But I wonder if you shift the coloring of the "fortress" to be cooler, the whole design will feel united?  Or even better yet, a richer navy would do the trick to bring back the elegance? Just my thoughts!

Thanks for the feedback Sarah! I'd definitely dull down the blue as the most recent is too bright to my liking. This blue is the actual colour scheme for the US Navy. Going to work on the new colour scheme to make it more "vintage" matching the artwork for the courts and faces as well.

Keep you updated! 

[Don Boyer]

The tuck box design is really nice!

My only suggestion is in the coloring of the "fortress." Looking back at the gray version, there was something elegant to the whole design. Now with this royal blue, it feels more busy. But I wonder if you shift the coloring of the "fortress" to be cooler, the whole design will feel united?  Or even better yet, a richer navy would do the trick to bring back the elegance? Just my thoughts!

Thanks for the feedback Sarah! I'd definitely dull down the blue as the most recent is too bright to my liking. This blue is the actual colour scheme for the US Navy. Going to work on the new colour scheme to make it more "vintage" matching the artwork for the courts and faces as well.

Keep you updated! 

The navy blue of the US Naval uniforms of WWII was a rich, deep blue.
http://www.usww2uniforms.com/figures_navy.html

The color "battleship gray" was the common color used on ships of the line - hence the name...  Uniforms came in navy, olive, khaki, gray, even white.

[alvinhy]

Ooo thats even better! I was talking about their logo colours.

[Don Boyer]

Ooo thats even better! I was talking about their logo colours.

The logo wouldn't be as easily recognized as the colors of the uniforms and the ships.  That's what people see in old war movies and such, right?    There were (and are) differences in the colors/types of uniforms used by officers and enlisted ranks, as well - you could factor that into your courts and spot cards.  There's a lot of ways you can go with a project like this one - have fun picking your path!

[alvinhy]

Here is an update of the design. This time with the card back.
Any feedback is appreciated.

[alvinhy]

Had a change of design with the playing card backs
Ive also been asking around for people to fill in the most famous warships / battleships of WWII era...
Here is the list I have so far lol

USA
Spades Jack
Spades Queen - USS Oklahoma / Captain Howard D. Bode?
Spades King - USS Arizona / Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh
Hearts Jack
Hearts Queen
Hearts King
Clubs Jack
Clubs Queen
Clubs King
Diamonds Jack
Diamonds Queen
Diamonds King
 
United Kingdom
Spades Jack - HMS Nelson / ?
Spades Queen - HMS Prince of Wales / Captain John Catterall Leach
Spades King - HMS Hood / Captain Ralph Kerr CBE
Hearts Jack
Hearts Queen
Hearts King - HMS Queen Elizabeth /
Clubs Jack
Clubs Queen
Clubs King -
Diamonds Jack
Diamonds Queen
Diamonds King -
 
Japan
Spades Jack
Spades Queen - IJN Musashi /
Spades King - IJN Yamato / Captain Miyazato Shutoku
Hearts Jack
Hearts Queen
Hearts King
Clubs Jack
Clubs Queen
Clubs King
Diamonds Jack
Diamonds Queen
Diamonds King
 
Germany
Spades Jack
Spades Queen - KMS Tirpitz
Spades King - KMS Bismarck
Hearts Jack
Hearts Queen
Hearts King
Clubs Jack
Clubs Queen
Clubs King
Diamonds Jack
Diamonds Queen
Diamonds King

[JackofDiamonds]

Never knew the Germans haven't ever had an aircraft carrier.
http://www.damninteresting.com/the-only-nazi-aircraft-carrier/

[alvinhy]

Never knew the Germans haven't ever had an aircraft carrier.
http://www.damninteresting.com/the-only-nazi-aircraft-carrier/

The germans excelled in submarines though. I'll be researching all day long to find the right ships for each court card.
Here is an Ace of spades for the USS deck.

[alvinhy]

Here is Jack of Spades featuring Captain Cassin Young, captain of USS San Francisco.