User Experiences of Tarot Card Design

[Tanga]

I think an overall "Standard Tarot size" would be difficult for the points aforementioned about intricacy of artwork being able to be seen at a specific size, personal preference etc.
And to ask an artist to contain their personal expression so that it fits the "right size" - wouldn't work I think. That can only happen if the artist is being specifically commissioned right?...
(and as has been said - enough people requesting the same thing - and the deck being popular enough for the publisher to deem a print/re-print worthy blah blah.).

AND - I do wish for the larger sized decks that I have to be available in a smaller size, because I find them less easy to handle - and it some cases, trimming would be a nightmare or just destroy the imagery - so I haven't done it.
I do trim my decks to be smaller, as well as because I don't like the borders.

Lol! reading this thread has made me decide to dare trimming my Schiffer deck,
'Tarot of the Night'. http://www.aeclectic.net/tarot/cards/tarot-of-the-night/
It's too wide and the cardstock is shiny sticky coated - so it's not easy to handle.
Plus because some of the card imagery isn't quite centered I wonder if it will work to trim...
Here goes nothing...

 

[Laura Borealis]

It's not about catering to trimmers. My main point here is if you only have one edition of your deck to print make it standard or smaller, so more people will buy/use it.

Your main point has changed since the beginning of the thread.

The main point here is that if card makers/publishers are going to be unconscious of some of this user experience feedback, consider choosing your card back designs with modification by the user in mind.

Ciro was addressing this, and other concerns you had earlier in the thread.

 

[prudence]

I'd love to visit Australia, thanks! It's also table space consideration for me. I do an overhand shuffle holding cards in my right hand and shuffling into my left. This is how spirit moves through the cards to select the message. Standard or smaller size decks work best. I'm not changing my practice for a deck that was made too big.

I agree with many of your complaints and some of the suggestions, but this quote just seems like you're being way too stubborn and more inflexible than some of our stiffest decks.

If the artwork of a deck speaks to you, buy it and learn how to work with it. I have altered my shuffling style dramatically in order to use decks that are awkwardly sized. I have very small hands, but I do not let that stop me from buying and using decks that don't fit my personal size. It's easier to go with the flow and to be "mutable" rather than stiffening up against any slight breeze.

When the first edition of the Lunatic deck came out, I bought it anyway, as huge as it was, and I learned how to sort of shuffle it. When the smaller size edition came out of course I was thrilled to bits.

I do not buy into the notion that shuffling in only one way is how "spirit" moves through the cards in order to select the right message. It's just far too narrow of a belief for me, and I'm someone who believes in tarot. I also think a message can actually come from simply dropping a specific card or cards...so...

My favorite size at the moment, is Le Tarot Tournant, it's possibly on the smaller size than LoS. I'm told the backs aren't actually reversible, but I cannot see that. It's a repeating pattern similar to the plaid backs you might see on historical decks, but with a fun twist. But my favorite part about this deck is the artwork and the many years and incredible amount of study and research that went into it all. I'd love this deck even if it had been specifically made for giant man hands. Luckily it is sized to fit my hands like a glove.

 

[Barleywine]

I used to buy decks primarily because I liked the artwork. Now I don't buy them unless I know I'm going to use them, even if I love the art. So I don't buy overly large or odd-shaped decks (my large-format 1969 Thoth is, of course, an exception). But that's my personal choice, not something I would try to force on everyone. I couldn't be bothered with trimming or trying to come up with a way to awkwardly shuffle them. There are too many decks that are excellent right out of the box to make that worthwhile. I'm a believer in "the right tool for the job;" I wouldn't try to use a screwdriver to pound a nail (although I have to admit I've occasionally used a rock!)

 

[nisaba]

I have bigger decks, I have smaller decks. I have fatter decks and I have thinner decks.

Actually, now I think on it, that is one of the things that makes my collection so enjoyable - the variety of physical experiences I get, along with the variety of artistic experiences I get.

 

[cirom]

Its true that unlike special editions where the individual artist can be more self indulgent in production choices, the major publishers have to be more distant in their choices and financially pragmatic. But credit where credit is due, I do think that there is often a desire and intent by the publishers to go beyond the bottom line. There has been a couple of cases in particular where a major publisher (without any pushing from me) has gone for quality over plain vanilla and more predictable profit. From more sturdy than most outer boxes to gold edging and varnish. Such things do up the price and with it the risk of less sales. Arguably in the "Tarot is primarily a tool not an art gallery perspective", any such aesthetics would be deemed of secondary importance, but then thats probably why they don't sell tarot decks at Home Depot stores along with other tools.

 

[Gwynydd]

I like my tarot and oracle decks to have variety. I like tiny decks, huge decks, and everything in between. It gives each deck their own personality. If I don't like something about a certain deck, I just don't buy it.

 

[nisaba]

Arguably in the "Tarot is primarily a tool not an art gallery perspective", any such aesthetics would be deemed of secondary importance, but then thats probably why they don't sell tarot decks at Home Depot stores along with other tools.

<laughter>

 

[prudence]

I like my tarot and oracle decks to have variety. I like tiny decks, huge decks, and everything in between. It gives each deck their own personality. If I don't like something about a certain deck, I just don't buy it.

It's always the artwork that stops me from buying a deck, not usually the size. Okay, maybe the shape, I'm so over the round style decks and have been since around 2003. Got my first round deck in 1995 and used it to pieces, then gave what was left of it to my toddler daughter.

Every deck has a different feel to it, and a different aesthetic, I am very willing to adapt to each one that works with my reading style and abilities.

 

[Zephyros]

Moderator Note:

I honestly wouldn't have expected that a thread dealing with card sizes would have been at all tense, but so it is. At least one post making personal comments has been removed, let's please keep discourse civil and not make personal attacks which do nothing for anyone.

Thanks

Zephyros
Talking Tarot Moderator