Rookie Chip Design

VegasMike · #1 (**permalink**) 12-13-2005, 08:15 PM

This is my first attempt at designing a custom inlay for a poker chip. I'm not even sure if I would pay $1+ a chip to get this design off the ground, but it's fun to play around, espically with the custom ASM group buy gaining momentum...

My goal of this design was to create a simple theme that didn't reference a made-up casino name or specific place/person. This way it's still unique, but anyone interested could use it without much modification.

Ideally, my design would use a different face card image for each demonation. For example:

2 jacks for $5 / $25
2 queens for $100 / $500
2 Kings for $1000 / $ XXX
One could even use a joker if you had a 7th chip...

The playing card design works well this way since each 'character' is usually portrayed once in profile (a la the one-eyed jack) and once face-foward (the king in my example). The hearts on either side of the lettering refer to the king of hearts, which is shown on the watermark.

I found the playing card images here:

http://www.madore.org/~david/misc/cards.html

I used Photoshop to create the 'watermark' effect. If you're interested in borrowing the PS file for your own use, just PM me. I'm no expert in 'circle' text, so I'm sure the design can be improved upon.

Lynbark Designs · #2 (**permalink**) 12-13-2005, 08:18 PM

I like the simplicity and watermark. However, on my monitor, the king is VERY faint and may not be distinguishable when printed.

Nice job!

cubsfan970 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-13-2005, 09:21 PM

Definitely hard to see the Jack. Maybe increase the contract a bit. I would also print it out to make sure it will show up before producing any chip. Otherwise, I like the concept.

VegasMike · #4 (**permalink**) 12-19-2005, 07:35 PM

Here is a revision I've been working on. I dumped the watermark for a compass-type theme. The J in the middle acts as a monogram. Comments welcome

Apotome · #5 (**permalink**) 12-19-2005, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VegasMike

Here is a revision I've been working on. I dumped the watermark for a compass-type theme. The J in the middle acts as a monogram. Comments welcome

In all honesty, I liked your first attempt a lot better. It (the first one) is a simple, clean design and I personally think some of those work better. It reminds me a bit of 'The House' inlay that's been shown a lot lately. If you were to go back to the first one, I'd suggest increasing the contrast of the watermark (as others have suggested) and perhaps increasing the size of the denom. Further, you might think of moving the denom to the center and adding a drop shadow to make it stand out a bit from the rest of the design.

But I really like your goal of creating a generic chip that doesn't include a fantasy casino name. I'm working on something similar. In your case, I think your first design is a great starting point.

Hope to see how it turns out.

Allan

ink_junkie · #6 (**permalink**) 12-19-2005, 09:22 PM

Nice work on both, but I like the first attempt better. I'd be tempted to center the denomination. Might look a little funky over the face of the king, but you never know until you actually see it. If the king is just the right shade, it might look pretty slick. -m

hachkc · #7 (**permalink**) 12-19-2005, 09:34 PM

Both of the designs are nice but I like the first one better. The only issues I see with it are the denom size (IMHO size does matter in this case) and too much whitespace. You could try making the watermark a bit darker and then do a radial fade out to the edges of it.

VegasMike · #8 (**permalink**) 12-20-2005, 09:20 PM

While the inlay desing is still in limbo, I decided to take a break and play around with some colors...

I'm leaning towards getting 500-600 chips. Then I may make a small (300) cash-game set of solid color chips with no inlays.

We play mostly T3000 with rebuy's, so there's no need for a $5 chip. I may get a non-denom if I can decide upon a color.

VegasMike · #9 (**permalink**) 12-22-2005, 08:30 PM

Here's some more inlay designs to share - comments welcome.

I'm leaning towards getting different images on each side. The right two images feature the 'King' watermark again. The only difference is the text on the bottom (poker/twenty five). I also considered 'tournament' for the bottom. I haven't decided if the word 'Poker' is even necessary on a 'poker' chip, but I thought I'd see how it looks.

The left image would be the alternate side of the chip. It is a revamp of the 'compass' design, with the monogram J in the center (last name Initial). It seems to be missing something. I could put text across the top and bottom, like Mike's Poker Club - Est. 2006, but I don't want to make something up that may sound cheesy in 20 years (besides, I don't run a club, casino, or a room

). I prefer the simplicity of the monogram effect.

Apotome · #10 (**permalink**) 12-22-2005, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VegasMike

Here's some more inlay designs to share - comments welcome.

I'm leaning towards getting different images on each side. The right two images feature the 'King' watermark again. The only difference is the text on the bottom (poker/twenty five). I also considered 'tournament' for the bottom. I haven't decided if the word 'Poker' is even necessary on a 'poker' chip, but I thought I'd see how it looks.

The left image would be the alternate side of the chip. It is a revamp of the 'compass' design, with the monogram J in the center (last name Initial). It seems to be missing something. I could put text across the top and bottom, like Mike's Poker Club - Est. 2006, but I don't want to make something up that may sound cheesy in 20 years (besides, I don't run a club, casino, or a room

). I prefer the simplicity of the monogram effect.

I really like the one on the right. I think that watermark is absolutely classy.

I am not as fond of the '2' and the '5' being differently sized like that. It makes it look like the 5 is the dominant value of the chip, as the eye is pulled to it first.

I prefer the text of the right-hand chip as well. i.e. not using the word 'Poker' anywhere at all. Keeping in mind that 'poker' chips can be used to play any number of games. You may not play them now, but maybe in a few years you decide you like playing a bit of Blackjack.

The clubs on the right-hand chip are also perfect. Small, but very suitable. No pun intended. Would you use different suit symbols on different valued chips?

The compass thing? I'm not sold on it, but the decision is entirely up to you. It looks a bit plain compared to the other design(s).

If you wanted to use the right-hand design, but also wanted your initials, then what about replacing the bottom text on that inlay with something like:

A. B. - 2006

** Obviously you'd want to use your own initials.... not mine.

And flip the text so that it reads the same way as the denomination text at the top. Then you could have your initials, and have something you can live with for years, unless you're planning on changing your name sometime soon. But seriously, I think it could look quite elegant.

I think you're well on your way to a great looking set of chips. I really look forward to seeing how they end up.

Best regards,
Allan B.