JAPANESE
FAIRY TALE
Specimen Book Playing Cards
The project was to create a specimen book on a deck of cards using the topic of our choice for content.
The topic I chose for this deck of cards is traditional Japanese stories and tales, using my favorite koi fish as drawing elements throughout all four suites. The typefaces I chose are from a small foundry based in Mexico, there is only one weight for each of them and no other variables. After considerations, I have developed a system for my designs to showcase each typeface in massive scales, paragraphs, titles, on solid color backgrounds, and type as image. Each suite also contains the information about tye typographer, year of creation, the purpose of the type, the type anatomy, and highlighted distinctions.
KURENAI
​SABIONANDO
TAIKOH
KURUMI
Art direction: Gracy Liu
Design: Gracy Liu
Illustration: Gracy Liu
Savannah College of Art and Design
A
Letter "A" comparison in large scale and color of the suit.
2
Stories of the tales or characters in each suit.
Diamond
Culture Talk
3
Showcasing distinctions of the typeface as an introduction while telling the story of each suit.
4
Stories of the tales or characters in each suit.
5
Introducing the typeface's name, typographer, and features while showcasing distinctions.
6
Showcasing the same letter "Japanese" in each typeface with highlighted distinctions.
7
How each typeface would look like when using type as image and differences caused by the kerning and spacing.
8
How each typeface would look on solid color background.
9
Explaining inspirations, purposes, and ideas behind each typeface.
10
Featuring detailed type anatomy as well as the theme story for each suit.
J, Q, K
Illustrations of featured characters and gestures from the stories in each suit.
