Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 18. Jason Johnson, “A Spectrum” (© 2012, J. Johnson. Used with permission)
Figure 18 presents a student work showing
a combination of the electromagnetic spectrum
(from the shortest wavelength to the longest:
gamma-rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, in-
frared, microwaves, and radio waves) and selected
objects as examples of things existing in each
range of wavelength. The task to be done was to
add pictures to the graph about the wavelengths
and thus depict the world and the tools used to
visualize its electromagnetic properties.
ing the card design to user preferences, obeying
some traditional demands, and taking into account
card geometry related conditions. At variance
with the chess design, which should comply with
the rules of one game only, card design should
conform to many different games such as bridge,
poker or canasta, to say nothing about a variety
of solitaire games.
Due to the many centuries lasting tradition
several features are present in most of card designs.
In the early 1400s, playing cards were created
using block printing, which was the first use of
prints in a sequenced and logical order. However,
no examples of printed cards from before 1423
survived. Cultural and semantic traditions held in
the countries from all continents make the playing
cards varied; yet the cards are usually readable and
playable due to their common basic design. Some
decks have bar code markings on the edge of the
face, so they can be machine sorted.
When creating an image for the both the face
and the back of a card one has to make several
decisions: about the style and aesthetics of im-
ages, the leading theme that often depends on
the prospective users, and the games that will be
PRODUCT DESIGN: MAKING A
DRAWING FOR A DECK OF PLAYING
CARDS
A deck of playing cards can be thought of as an
iconic object; however, a great variety of styling,
from the times of ancient China where playing
cards were invented (Needham, 1962), to their
modern design make them carriers of variety of
symbols, meanings, and messages (for example,
used for marketing). Designing the playing cards
links the illustration related issues with the product
semantics. Product design issues involve address-
