United States Playing Card Company
Spring 2025, Fall 2025
Concept
Develop a playing card concept focused around the idea of Diwali, a Hindu holiday often celebrated like a New Years holiday. Aimed to represent USPCC as a global company and draw in new customers.Approach
Inspired by recent completion of Art History 1, brainstorming focused around ancient art made in south Asia. Along with the goal to create a deck that could educate people on what Diwali is. Research
Animals were shown to be highly popular with consumers, and in Diwali, there are various auspicious animals in Hinduism. Designing the deck with these animals in mind would appeal to both celebrating and non-celebrating audiences.Peacock: National bird of India
Lizard: During Diwali is thought to bring good fortune if seen in a house
Cat: During Diwali is thought to bring good luck if seen in a house (quite the opposite if not Diwali)
Cow: The symbol of life and sacred in Hinduism
Court Sketches
Court Variations
Final Court
There was some debate on how much diwali-related material should be in the deck. I found that it was more important that people pick up the deck for the animals, find out what it was really for, and then learn from there. Card Back Variations
Started with brainstorms focused around the art of Ragnoli, geometric sand art used in Diwali, but many of the designs felt seperated from the background. Then tried using lights and Diyas, oil lamps, but that also felt different than the style used for the court cards. Ultimately, the final inspiration came from the swirls used in the courts.
Final designs
Other Decks
This holiday option focuses on a vintage cartoon style. The deck features different houses decorated in various ways, similar to real life, sometimes extravagant, sometimes a single tree half wrapped in lights.
A multipurpose deck designed with new gym goers in mind. Styled to help people recognize machines and the workouts that go with them. Along with alternative workouts that can be done at home. Separated by arm and leg workouts, then further separated by machine and free weight/no equipment.