Illustrated Playing Cards
Illustrated Playing Cards
Categories
Categories
Card Game Design, Typography, Illustration
Card Game Design, Typography, Illustration
Project Type
Project Type
Illustration
Illustration
Year
Year
2024
2024
“The World of Sissi & Franz” is an illustrated poker card deck that transforms the iconic figures of the Habsburg era into a tactile, artistic experience. Inspired by my lifelong connection to Sissi and Franz — rooted in my family history from Bad Ischl — the project allowed me to translate personal nostalgia and cultural fascination into visual storytelling. The theme offered a perfect canvas to explore the elegance, romance, and complexity of the Austrian imperial world.
“The World of Sissi & Franz” is an illustrated poker card deck that transforms the iconic figures of the Habsburg era into a tactile, artistic experience. Inspired by my lifelong connection to Sissi and Franz — rooted in my family history from Bad Ischl — the project allowed me to translate personal nostalgia and cultural fascination into visual storytelling. The theme offered a perfect canvas to explore the elegance, romance, and complexity of the Austrian imperial world.
“The World of Sissi & Franz” is an illustrated poker card deck that transforms the iconic figures of the Habsburg era into a tactile, artistic experience. Inspired by my lifelong connection to Sissi and Franz — rooted in my family history from Bad Ischl — the project allowed me to translate personal nostalgia and cultural fascination into visual storytelling. The theme offered a perfect canvas to explore the elegance, romance, and complexity of the Austrian imperial world.
The cards were painted using aquarelle techniques, giving each illustration a soft, expressive texture that reflects the charm of 19th-century portraiture. I developed unique motifs for all card suits and face cards, drawing from historical details, traditional attire, and scenes connected to the imperial couple’s lives. The visual language blends authenticity with a contemporary illustrative touch, creating a distinctive balance between history and artistic interpretation.
The cards were painted using aquarelle techniques, giving each illustration a soft, expressive texture that reflects the charm of 19th-century portraiture. I developed unique motifs for all card suits and face cards, drawing from historical details, traditional attire, and scenes connected to the imperial couple’s lives. The visual language blends authenticity with a contemporary illustrative touch, creating a distinctive balance between history and artistic interpretation.
Beyond the illustrations themselves, the project also included the full packaging design. I created and printed the card box in a small self-produced edition, ensuring cohesion between the artwork, typography, and overall storytelling. The result is a complete, handcrafted deck that merges personal heritage with design craft — an intimate tribute to Sissi and Franz and a playful celebration of Austrian cultural identity.
Beyond the illustrations themselves, the project also included the full packaging design. I created and printed the card box in a small self-produced edition, ensuring cohesion between the artwork, typography, and overall storytelling. The result is a complete, handcrafted deck that merges personal heritage with design craft — an intimate tribute to Sissi and Franz and a playful celebration of Austrian cultural identity.
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