Research Project: Card Front Covers

Going back to my research I wanted to use a different Goddess for the front cover. I chose Princess Liễu Hạnh as visually this aesthetic would be really impactful on the cards, especially if I manage to edit her with a cloak similar to the one featured below:

 

Thinking about it now however it doesn't seem right as she's more a meddler, an intellectual and not so much focused on destruction. 

Initially playing around with theme and layout... 

I then decided to use Circe, a greek witch Goddess who I've previously researched in this project, adding another dimension to the cards I already have, Circe's powers come with the use of potions, poison and magic (she is believed to be the creator of magic) which brings something new to the selection of Goddesses I've chosen.

I felt this design was too basic initially, and considered how I could incorporate more visuals embodying Greek mythology. The text I've chosen is Invasion 2000, consistent with the titles on the rest of the cards to maintain aesthetic fluidity. Using an outline for her, heavy shadows and embossing this tacky level of depth is created, I especially love the firey background, very 90s.

I want to include a 99p sticker as a nod to the original cost of Top Trumps as these Goddesses are very much part of history, as were Top Trumps...

I'm very satisfied with the level of tacky non-design perfectly matching the retro garish myspace aesthetic, bringing me right back to my childhood.

I need to also consider an umbrella slogan/ name for the card box, I originally thought Top Goddesses but I want to elude to the fact this is just one edition of many, non specific to Goddesses like the Top Trump brand, but don't want it to sound too similar. 

Gyal Games

Nostalgi@

Goddess Games

Deal Deity

Diva Deal 

Goddess Games

Asking my peers we agreed Gyal Games was the most appropriate, utilising current lingo and bring it back to the old school in the design technique with embossing, mimicking the Top Trump branding on their decks.

Typography

I was initially testing out other fonts I'd chosen from my font sheet (the tackier the better) but agreed with peer feedback it would look more consistent having the same header text throughout so I stuck with Invasion 2000.

Final Designs

Feedback

"Fun,

Educational,

Box looks real/ like a real product!"

My main question to the group was whether or not it was obviously 'bad-design' and had that tacky style or it was just plain bad design and awful. Luckily they all agreed it was good 'bad design!' and looked purposefully garish and such.

They said I should definitely print the cards out and have a shoot as an addition to just the digital copies, I thought this wasn't necessary but now see it would be really cool to have these in physical form and develop the product. I should also then extend this concept and make the game complete with a 'rules' side of the first card, as they do with Top Trump cards.

I want this design to be simple, consistent with typography and easy for all age ranges to understand.