Shinola Playing Cards
Created for Shinola
Creative Direction by Michelle Potter
Photography by Brian Bilicki
Video by Dave Donaldson + Kenta Tomeoki
Copy by Taylor Rebhan
Retouching by Chris Fry + Rachel Bertolini
I created custom illustrations for the relaunch of Shinola Playing Cards. After researching the origins of classic playing card design, I wanted to incorporate some of that history into the design. For example, I learned that due to a centuries old printing error, the King of Hearts is traditionally shown stabbing himself in the head with a dagger! I applied the Shinola brand DNA of simple geometry and a mid-century sensibility to the illustrations, and infused the deck with Shinola’s signature cheekiness. In a nod to our Michigan roots, we even included the rules for a local favorite, Euchre.
