Lucky Cards | Playing Card Deck
A personal project incorporating different aspects of Chinese culture into a physical playing card deck.
Lucky Cards ✧
Lucky Cards ✧
Purpose
Designing a playing card box and 54 unique cards to celebrate Chinese culture, creating a product that resonates, educates, and promotes cultural appreciation.
Timeline: April-June 2023
Team: Solo Project
Software: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign.
Red Envelope
Printed on the back of all 54 cards, the red envelope symbolizes good luck and the joy of giving, inspired by the tradition of gifting these envelopes to children during Chinese New Year. This tradition influenced both the design and the name Lucky Cards.
Joker | Lucky Cat
The lucky cat is designed as the joker to represent good fortune and playfulness, aligning with the joker's traditional idea of being a symbol of unpredictability and charm.
Ace | Dragon
As an ace card, dragons symbolize strength, wisdom, and highest honor.
Elements: Green (Dragonfruit), Blue (Teapot), Red (Dragon mask), Purple (Pagoda).
2 | Snake
Part of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs.
Green: Bamboo
Blue: Chopsticks
Red: Firecrackers
Purple: Scrolls
4 | Tiger
Part of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs.
Green: Koi fish as Yin and Yang
Blue: Mapo Tofu
Red: Gong
Purple: Guzheng (Chinese Harp)
6 | Pig
Part of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs.
Green: Jade Bracelets
Blue: Rice Bowls
Red: Lucky Charms
Purple: Emperor & daggers
8 | Rooster
Part of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs.
Green: Lychee
Blue: Curry fish balls
Red: Firecrackers
Purple: Scrolls
10 | Rabbit
Part of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs.
Green: Cherry Blossoms
Blue: Egg Tarts
Red: Mooncake
Purple: Gold Coins
3 | Monkey
Part of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs.
Green: Gardening
Blue: Dumplings
Red: Spinning Tops
Purple: Fans
5 | Goat
Part of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs.
Green: Lily Flower
Blue: Shumai (Steamed Dumplings)
Red: Firecrackers
Purple: Mahjong
Q | Horse
Part of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs and designed as the Queen card.
7 | Ox
Part of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs.
Green: Peaches
Blue: Fried noodles w/shrimp
Red: Burning money (Afterlife ritual)
Purple: Jewelry box w/hairpins
9 | Rat
Part of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs.
Green: Mandarin
Blue: Lotus wrapped sticky rice
Red: Red Envelopes
Purple: Gold Ingot
J | Dog
Part of the 12 Chinese Zodiacs and designed as the Jack card.
K | Panda
The panda is designed as a King card because it is a national treasure in China that symbolizes strength, dignity, and gentleness.
Let’s Reflect!
Favorite Part: Coming up with a unique element for each card felt like solving a puzzle!
Least Favorite: Fitting elements onto cards with larger numbers was challenging, but I managed to do it by giving it to the smallest animals!
