From Art of Play, Just Type playing cards is a modern reinterpretation of classic deck design and a tribute to the different ways in which the spirit of type can be modified. Paula Scher, a titan of the graphic design world has helped to redefine modern typography. With fellow Pentagram designers Jeff Close and Kristin Huber, Scher has playfully deconstructed the classic french design of traditional “playing cards” and removed all extraneous elements.
All that’s left is Just Type.
Two editions are now available, Edition 1 and Edition 2. Edition 1 embraces big, bold postmodern elements. Oversized numbers constructed of simple shapes fill the entirety of each card. Each unique composition could stand on its own as a piece of art. Each number and letter is broken down into its basic elements, which then evokes an abstract idea, but communicates so clearly, it can be understood from across the room.
Edition 2 offers a minimalist approach in the spirit of classic mid-century design. Each card features an amalgamation of suit and value that expresses its identity with a single figure. A visually stunning font uses negative space to incorporate the familiar pip design into its own unique letterform. The result is both beautiful and humorous.
Together, these exceedingly adaptive versatile explorations of type prove once again that Scher is a master of pushing words beyond their literal meaning into the realm of purely visual expression.
Printed by the US Playing Card Company on premium card stock and housed inside a letterpress-printed tuck box. Available NOW from artofplay.com for $18.
