Design your own deck of cards — from concept to final artwork. Explore symbolism, composition, and the balance between tradition and personal style
Through a combination of theory and hands-on exercises, you will explore the rich visual language of traditional card design, learning how symbolism, iconography, and cultural references shape the identity of a deck. The course will guide you in developing coherent compositions, establishing a functional hierarchy of elements, and balancing the historical conventions of playing cards with your personal expressive style. By the end, you will have a complete creative concept and a set of finished designs that reflect both craftsmanship and storytelling.
Helpful (but not required) prerequisites: basic drawing skills; graphic design experience; familiarity with Illustrator, Photoshop, or other software of choice.
Materials
You can request an Adobe Creative Cloud license through the school’s annual agreement. Please contact the administrative office for details.
Activities
Each lesson will include both a theoretical component and a hands-on workshop, with targeted exercises to be completed during class as well as assignments to be developed for the following session. By the end of the course, you will complete a small project suitable for inclusion in your portfolio.
Objectives
To guide students through the complete creative process of designing a fully illustrated deck of playing cards, from concept development to print-ready artwork, combining traditional card design principles with personal visual storytelling and craftsmanship.
Skills you will earn
Knowledge of preparing artwork for professional printing and production
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