The document discusses the production process for a set of tarot cards. It describes the importance of research into tarot meanings and target audiences. Research identified themes of self-discovery and a young female target audience. Additional research was needed to understand individual card meanings. Planning included selecting design tools and reducing the number of cards to allow more time per card. Feedback noted the unique style, colors, and spiritual themes, while suggesting some cards could include more details.
3. Research
Before I even thought about designing any of my sub-products, I understood the
importance of research process that I needed to go through in order to have a
clear understanding of what Tarot is, and what it stands for. When researching
audiences, I have emerged into the topic of Tarot readings and what people gain
from them, I have discovered a strong theme of self-discovery, seeking peace and
coming to terms with one's identity. I have learned that to some, Tarot is a highly
spiritual medium. I was also able to easily identify my target audience as majority
of tarot enjoyers seemed to be young women. That data was then support by my
survey. Acknowledging the age of my audience helped me in further planning, as I
was able to create a lot of my cards in order to appeal to a young person like
myself.
Although I was familiar with the basic ideologies and concepts surrounding each
of the cards I have decided to re-create, it took a lot of additional, research to
understand the meaning behind each card.With each card I started to develop
designes for came a neccesary moment for exploration, I have primarily
used Having a clear understanding of their meanings gave me a starting point for
further interpretation and modification of the classic Tarot set.
4. Planning
โข I started my planning by deciding on the graphic tablet I will be using as my main tool throughout this
project. I typed two tablet I ended up using in at different types of my production.
However, before I even thought about designing any of my sub-products, I understood the importance of
research process that I needed to go through in order to have a clear understanding of what Tarot is, and
what it stands for. When researching audiences, I have emerged into the topic of Tarot readings and what
people gain from them, I have discovered a strong theme of self-discovery, seeking peace and coming to
terms with one's identity. I have learned that to some, Tarot is a highly spiritual medium. I was also able to
easily identify my target audience as majority of tarot enjoyers seemed to be young women. That data was
then support by my survey. Acknowledging the age of my audience helped me in further planning, as I was
able to create a lot of my cards in order to appeal to a young person like myself.
Although I was familiar with the basic ideologies and concepts surrounding each of the cards I have
decided to re-create, it took a lot of additional, research to understand the meaning behind each card.
With each card I started to develop designs for came a necessary moment for exploration, I have primarily
used tarot.com where explanations of meanings behind each of the cards are available. Having a clear
understanding of their meanings gave me a starting point for further interpretation and modification of
the classic Tarot set.
Overall I would be not able to create this project without going through an in-depth research of the topic
of Tarot as well as my target audience. I have viewed this stage of my work as crucial, therefore I have put
a lot of time and effort into it, making my research highly detailed (especially when exploring artists and
existing products) which I see as a big strength to this stage of the project. I can honestly say that Iโm
satisfied with what my research brought to this project, however, if given more time, I would enjoy
exploring more of the existing products in order to get to know other interpretations of tarot decks and
perhaps gaining new ideas for my own.
5. Time Management
โข When beginning my project, my initial idea was to create a full set of Tarot
cards (from the major arcana) consisted of 22 cards. However, as I started
to plan my schedule, I have started to have doubts that perhaps I am not
being given enough time to complete this large number of cards and my
ambitions for FMP could be too high.
It came to no surprise that halfway through my production I found myself
realising I need to change my initial idea and make 11 cards instead of 22,
giving me more much needed time for creating each one of the cards.
This, although a first a disappointing decision, turned out to be very
beneficial to me and the result of my work. By allowing myself to create
less cards, I gave myself more time to spend on selected 11, improving on
their overall quality. I was able to put time and effort into each one of
them, avoiding committing mass production of any of my cards.
Apart from this one complication, I had no issues managing my time
otherwise and found my production process well managed time wise.
6. Technical Qualities
When creating my product I have
aimed to make it resemble a
physical card. In order to do so, I
have created each card in exact size
of a standard Tarot card.
Additionally, after finishing each
product and merging all the layers I
have used a soft grain filter in order
make the texture more paper-like,
which added to the illusion I aimed
for.
On top of that I have chosen a font
similar to one from the Modern
Witch deck as I found it to be
suitable to my product, I have
placed all my text (the names and
numbers of each card) in the same
spots as all the referenced existing
products.
8. Aesthetic Qualities
Same layout
I have been heavily inspired by the existing products I previously analyzed
during my research. Modern Witch set is one of the most obvious visual
inspirations. Close similarity of The Moon card from the Modern Witch deck
and my own The Star card are easily recognizable. Both products portray
female figures with animalistic features and a comic body above them, both
have similar layouts and convey themes of freedom, wilderness and nature.
I found it interesting that female figures visible on the reference card are seen
wearing animal mask, I decided to feature a similar element as to make my
own product more intriguing.
Another big inspiration for my set was Holly Simpleโs often use of adding
human faces on objects. Both The Sun cards, from Holly Simple tarot deck and
my own project have similar aesthetics and include a central piece of a sun
with a face. I found this to be an effective way of making simple objects
appear more interesting and eye-catching.
9. Audience Appeal
Since I have determined that my target audience will consist primarily of young people
and that they will almost certainly be somewhat intrigued by themes of mysticism,
spirituality and/or self care, I have specifically aimed to feature images and themes
related to their interests.
11. Feedback 1
โข What did you like about the product?
โ I like how you added your own style to the cards, showing the
meaning of them and relating it to current day. I like how each card
has a clear colour scheme and theme that fits with the name as well
as the spiritual connotations too
โข What improvements could have been made to
the product?
โ I feel that for certain cards, there could have been a bit more detail or
realism added to them, but this could just be the style of the artwork. If there
was more time to create these, I would have loved to see more of the cards
and possibly seeing the artistic twist on the four suits in the minor arcana and
how those would link with each other
12. Feedback 2
โข What did you like about the product?
โข I think that the art style for this project is super unique and really nice to look at. I
also like the fact that all the different pieces have a unique colour scheme and that
the colours used never clash. The layout and composition of all the different art
pieces is also really nice.
โข What improvements could have been made to
the product?
โข 1 or 2 of the art pieces feel slightly more rushed than others, or maybe not as
detailed as other ones.
13. Feedback 3
โข What did you like about the product?
I think the colour pallets for each card look really nice and the art style is very creative.
I also like the messages shows in a couple of the cards and the references to spirituality.
โข What improvements could have been made to
the product?
Some of the cards could have a little more detail.
14. Peer Feedback Summary
โข What do you agree with from your peer feedback?
I agree with most of the feedback, especially comments
on some cards being not detailed enough
โข What do you disagree with from your peer feedback?
I disagree with the comment about making my work
more realistic, as well as adding cards from minor arcana.
15. Peer Feedback Summary
Overall, I feel like most of the feedback given to me was spot
on, summarising my project rather well.
I was pleased to hear that all the positive feedbacks
mentioned my art style and the choice of colour pallets, as
this was something I have invested most of my time and
effort into.
When it comes to improvements, I cannot deny that, in
retrospect, I could have designed some of the cards with
greater number of details. Some of the cards featured in my
project look bold in comparison to other, that's a result of my
idea and art style for the set changing during my production
process. If given more time I would include more detailed
version of the cards, as well as perhaps more cards from the
major arcana.
Editor's Notes
What were the strengths of your research? How did your research help your product?
What were the weaknesses of your research? What could you have done better/improve? What effect would this have had on your product?
What were the strengths of your planning? How did your planning help your product?
What were the weaknesses of your planning? What could you have done better/improve? What effect would this have had on your product?
Did you manage your time well? Did you complete your project on time or would your products have improved with additional time?
What would you have done if you had more time to produce your work?
Compare your work to similar existing products and discuss the similarities and differences
Put your final piece(s) in the centre of a page alongside an existing product
Use text boxes and arrows
Does your work look good? Was it creative? What aspects of your gameโs visuals do you like? What would you improve? How would you improve it?
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses
Put your final piece(s) in the centre of a page and analyse them
Use text boxes and arrows
Compare your work to similar existing products and discuss the similarities and differences
Put your final piece(s) in the centre of a page alongside an existing product
Use text boxes and arrows
How have you appealed to your target audience? What specific bits of content would appeal to your target audience.
Refer to your findings from your questionnaire.
Put your final piece(s) in the centre of a page and analyse them
Use text boxes and arrows
What changes would you make to your product based upon your peer feedback and why?