Project Summary
Client
Stone Brewing
Contribution
Lead Designer
Illustrator
Description
These Stone Brewing playing cards feature intricate patterns crafted from detailed beer ingredient illustrations that celebrate brewing culture while delivering a premium aesthetic through high-end gold foil printing.
Scope
Playing Card Box
Playing Card Face
Playing Card Back
Platform
Procreate
Adobe Fresco
Adobe Illustrator
Playing CArds
The Process
Market Research
Researched premium playing card manufacturers and luxury collectibles to understand what resonates with discerning customers. Used these insights to create a unique design approach that would stand out in specialty retail and appeal to both card enthusiasts and brand collectors.
Concept Development
Created intricate design concepts for custom playing cards featuring detailed beer ingredient patterns and premium finishing options. Built multiple deck variations and clear presentations to help teams visualize the final collectible product and make informed decisions.
Stakeholder Alignment
Presented concepts to creative teams first, then pitched to executives, brand managers, and retail partners. Refined designs based on feedback to ensure the final playing cards would work for both brand marketing goals and collectible market expectations.
Execution & Production
Handled all print specifications and specialty finishing coordination for premium card stock and gold foil details. Delivered a complete branded collectible including packaging design, retail displays, marketing materials, and brand guidelines for consistent use.
Final Design
Based on Stone Brewing's bold brand identity and the growing market for premium collectibles, stakeholders gravitated toward a design that transformed traditional playing cards into sophisticated brand artifacts. The concept's intricate approach—detailed beer ingredient patterns forming ornate borders around the iconic Stone Gargoyle, luxurious gold foil printing on premium card stock—perfectly captured the craftsmanship and attention to detail that defines both Stone's brewing process and high-end collectible markets. This brewery-focused direction created distinctive playing cards that function as both functional gaming pieces and premium branded merchandise, giving Stone a unique collectible that competitors couldn't easily replicate while appealing to both craft beer enthusiasts and card collectors.
