ABOUT
Shortlisted for the Creativepool Annual - Illustration/individual!
Why did you make this work:
Zona Tropical Press, a Costa Rican publisher, commissioned me to design a deck of playing cards showcasing the country's wildlife. I developed the concept, grouping animals into suits and created a bespoke packaging design incorporating an orange seal inspired by Costa Rica's coat of arms. Extensive research and design iterations resulted in a visually engaging, pattern-centric deck.
What materials and techniques did you use?:
My design incorporated 2 different metallic foils on a full colour print. The green and gold foil accents act as visual highlights and with the embossed pattern, the design comes alive in the hand with reflection and a tactile feel. I conveyed the richness of Costa Rican fauna and flora through these print techniques. All designed and illustrated with my tablet and adobe illustrator.
How were your illustrations used:
My designs and illustrations resulted in a bespoke 54-card pack, showcasing 15 typical animals found in Costa Rica on the main cards and packaging. These premium playing cards are being sold in book and gift shops all over the Central American country. Appealing to the many visitors wanting to buy a souvenir or gift for people back home.

Back to Costa Rica Playing Cards project
David Freeland
Graphic Designer, Freelance
United Kingdom
Svetlana Malysheva
Digital Illustrator, Packaging Designer
Poland
Maria Wiktor
Illustrator, Punchline Studio
United Kingdom
Karolina Demina
Branding and Motion Designer, Freelance
Kazakhstan
Irina Eller
Graphic Designer, self employed
Estonia
Elena Pavchuk
3D generalist, Motion designer, Elena Pavchuk 3D Motion Studio
Serbia (Republic of)
Natali Sadova
Illustrator & Surface Pattern Designer, freelance
Ukraine
Ollie Hirst
Award-winning Conceptual Illustrator/Bionic Man, Ollie Hirst
United Kingdom
Yuliya Vassechkina
Digital Illustrator
Kazakhstan
Vadym Pinchuk
UI/UX Designer | Middle Graphic Designer
Ukraine