Reimagined clubs face cards and ace. Jack is a hunter facing front, looking right. Queen is a Kokopelli Symbol facing left. King is a chief facing left. Ace and clubs suit is represented as a bear paw print.
Reimagined diamonds face cards and ace. Jack is a hunter facing front, looking left. Queen is a Kokopelli Symbol facing left. King is a chief (head only) facing left. Ace and diamonds suit is represented as a solar cross.
Reimagined spade face cards and ace. Jack is a right side profile of a hunter. Queen is a Kokopelli Symbol. King is a chief facing right. Ace and spade suit is represented as an arrowhead.
Reimagined hearts face cards and ace. Jack is a left side profile of a hunter. Queen is a Kokopelli Symbol facing right. King is a chief facing left. Ace and heart suit is represented as an a healing hand.
Contains 2 jokers, represented by a Koshare Clown. One is from torso up, leaning in from the left side. The other is from upper thigh up, in the center. The last card is the back of the cards, featuring a geometric pattern with diamonds & triangles.
Close up of the Solar Cross King (head only profile).
Close up of the Bear Paw Print Jack (torso up, facing front, looking left).
Mockup of 3 cards splayed out. 7 of healing hands. Back of card. Queen of bear paw print.

Illustrated Card Deck: Indigenous Themed

This mock project for Bicycle involved creating a fully illustrated, Indigenous-themed deck of 54 playing cards. The goal was to design a cohesive system that celebrates Indigenous art and symbolism through modern illustration, balancing creativity with cultural respect. Each card was hand-drawn, incorporating stylized motifs, reimagined suits, and expressive face cards to form a unified, meaningful deck.

The process began with research into card deck structures, visual storytelling, and symbolic illustration. Word association and mood exploration guided the development of suits and character designs, while the typography and color palette drew inspiration from Indigenous art, jewelry, and natural materials. A focus on form and symbolism—rather than direct representation—ensured authenticity and respect, resulting in a design language that honors Indigenous aesthetics without referencing specific tribes.

Software Used: Adobe Illustrator

Results: A cohesive, fully illustrated deck that merges tradition and modernity through consistent line work, balanced color, and symbolic detail. This project strengthened my illustration and visual storytelling skills while reinforcing the importance of research, respect, and cultural awareness in the design process.

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