[RESEARCH] PRIMARY RESEARCH (INTERVIEW)

In order to get some feedback and comments, I asked friends if they would be interested in buying if there were a set of cards (use in drinking parties, icebreaking) that is for getting to know the dark personality traits of others. The following are the results:

• might not be sober enough to play
• interesting idea, something that I would like to try 
• will only play with close friends, but not acquaintance 
• would be even more interesting if playing with people that I am not familiar with, or new friends. Everyone would be curious in knowing the dark side of each other, it is a new way of icebreaking
• I think its quite embarrassing if I play it with friends that I am not that close with, people wouldn't want to reveal "good impressions"
• would be more exciting and fun if you cross the line when playing drinking games
• the drinking environment, like bars, are usually somewhere for relaxing with, with alcohol, people would be more open 
• Can we play it in Skype? online parties? 
• Cards Against Humanity plays around he idea of absurdity instead of really testing something against humanity. It is just some random questions and the one with the funniest random answer wins. It has nothing to do with personality dark traits. Your idea would be a "real cards against humanity" 

MY THOUGHTS

The discussion drew usually surrounding the idea of whether it is suitable to play with acquaintance. Some might think that it is crossing the line as they would not like to reveal that dark side to people they don't know. Some thinks that it would be a fun ice breaking game for knowing more about each other's dark side, instead of like the traditional way, always. introducing a "good impression" to others when you first meet a person. I think that it is audience's choices whether or not they would play with acquaintance or strangers. From the feedback, all of them are willing and are interesting to play the cards with close friends. So this is already something that can attract audience to purchase. It is theirs to choose in how to use the cards after buying. For me, I do not mind playing the cards with strangers. I will have to come up with a more completed set of rules into how to use the cards. Is it necessary to limit it become a drinking game? will the target audience be narrowed down and affect the sales? 

[RESEARCH] CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY

DESCRIPTION

Cards Against Humanity is a party game for horrible people. Unlike most of the party games you've played before, Cards Against Humanity is as despicable and awkward as you and your friends.

RULES

The game is simple. Each round, one player asks a question from a black card, and everyone else answers with their funniest white card.

This existing deck named CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY used a very interesting branding method. The name undoubtedly is very interesting to me. I would want to purchase it by only looking at the package. It arouses curiosity by not revealing too cut content. In their website, they used a funny way to express their words. They included cuss words in their instructions and this way of branding and presenting is exactly opposite form what I expected when I look at the cover and the package. 

Friends told me that they have played it before in drinking occasions. They enjoyed the playing process, but felt a bit confused when they look at the package. I then watched youtube videos of people playing this set of cards. They played it with alcohol and they definitely had fun. However, I personally think that the package creates confusion like what my friends said. I understand that this is their way of branding, making the package look serious and when you open it and actually play it, it is actually funny. This. way of creating a contrast is so interesting that I think it could be applicable to my design. Instead of using text to create the contrast, I could maybe make use of colours, bnw and bright. colours to create. that sense of curiosity and confusion? 

[VISUAL RESEARCH] PLAY CARDS

I did research on some existing play cards. I found out that there are many different styles and the styles tend to provide a better experience for their particular target audience. Designers make good use of colours and shapes and the style of illustrations to create the best combination of hierarchy. They branded different sets of play cards with the best aesthetic that suits the usage and functions of the deck. Some targets children, some targets young people, some are suitable for everyone to use. I realised that no matter how different the styles are, they will never affect the functions of the cards and will never distract the content with their designs. This is a really important point to think of when I design my set of cards. I should not overuse decorative elements and distract audience from reading the text on each card. 

*bold italic-ed points are the ones I think is suitable and applicable for my design outcome*

MINIMAL

• user- friendly trend 
• Clarity
• Expressive visual hierarchy
• High attention to proportions and composition
• Functionality of every element
• Big amount of spare space
• High attention ratio to core details
• Typography as a significant design element
• Eliminating non-functional decorative elements
• simplicity
• flat design 

1.

2. 

• shapes and lines
• white and red 
• maximum 2 colours 
• thin fonts
• good use of white space to create hierarchy 

CLEAN [TAROT]

• no colour
• serif font to make it look less modern 

ILLSUTRATIVE
1.

• hand drawn illustrations 
• bright colours 
• no words, text 
• use only drawings to show meaning 
• childish, kid-like

 2.

• tbh I love this style so muchhhhh
• simple illustrations 
• using the theme of myths and bedtime stories 
• large variety of colours used, but. still of the same colour tone to create consistency 
• hand written words to fit the theme and the drawings 

GEOMETRIC
1.

• only yellow and blue, but with different shades to make it less dull and flat
• boxy fonts to fit the geometric style 
• good use of white to lessen down the colours, make it cleaner 

2. [TAROT]

• gradient makes it look modern and stylish 
• add depth to design 
• used white to section text 

BOLD AND STRAIGHT FORWARD
1.

• crowded text 
• simple colours as background (primary colours?) 
• simple illustration to describe the content 
• good use of colour contrast, bnw vs bright colours 
• used black only on the outer package, bright colours no the inside (surprising) 

2. 

• love the typography and how text are placed in a overwhelming way 
• bold and strong 
• contrast between front and back of a card (surprising) 
• big contrast on colours used in front and back of each card
• creates a different emotion among the player who is holding the card and other players who can only see the back of the card 
• arouse curiosity 

REAL IMAGES/ PHOTOS
1. [TAROT]

• good quality photoshoot 
• would like to try this so bad, but time won't allow and I will need to rent a studio for the photoshoot
• only one colour tone on one card 
• photo speaks itself  
• with few words to describe the content 

2. [TAROT]

• photo collage 
• yellow and blue only to add depth 
• desaturated photographs 

[RESEARCH] TAROT CARD - THE DEVIL

MEANING 

• It represents being seduced by the material world and physical pleasures. Also living in fear, domination and bondage, being caged by an overabundance of luxury, discretion should be used in personal and business matters.

UPRIGHT

• Shadow Self, Attachment, Addiction, Restriction, Sexuality

• Temptation, Unhealthy relationships, Enslavement, Materialism, Bondage, Fear, Feeling trapped

• depression or addiction 

• The Devil card represents your shadow (or darker) side and the negative forces that constrain you and hold you back from being the best version of yourself. You may be at the effect of negative habits, dependencies, behaviours, thought patterns, relationships, and addictions. 

REVERSED

• Freedom from restraints, Breaking from addictions, Divorce

• Releasing limiting beliefs, exploring dark thoughts, detachment

• The reversed Devil card can often appear when you are on the verge of a break-through or an up-levelling. You are being called to your highest potential, but first, you must let go of any unhealthy attachments or limiting beliefs that may hold you back.

PRINT

• The Devil card shows Baphomet, or the Horned Goat of Mendes, a creature that is half man, half goat. Baphomet originally represented the balance between good and evil, male and female, and human and animal; however, more recently, this figure has been linked to the occult and has become a scapegoat for all things considered ‘evil’.

• The Devil card depicts the devil as the ancient goat-god Dionysius, shown sitting in his throne while watching over a male and female captive.

*** The upright tarot card is more related to what I would like to talk about, the dark side of a personality. Therefore, for further research, only the upright devil card would be look into. ***

References 
https://www.thetarotguide.com/the-devil 
https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/devil/ 

[VISUAL RESEARCH] PASTEL COLOURS

PASTEL COLOURS

As I would like my visual outcome to contain a big contrast using colours, I decided to look for information of some pastel colours, which is the exact opposite of black and white. I think pastel colours create a sense of peace and safety when we look at them. Research showed that the pastel colours turquoise/ baby blue and pink represent clarity of thought and nurturing. This colour combination can definition portray the idea that I would like to translate. Also, I think it is the best colour combo for play cards, by looking at the emotions that they can provoke. They can drive people together and create a bind between players. 

HOWEVER

• What if I make a gradient of baby blue fading into pink?  
• Will it increase the sense of tranquility and serenity? 
• Will it make the packaging more attractive to customers? 

TURQUOISE, BLUE

• to open the lines of communication between the heart and the spoken word
• presents as a friendly and happy color enjoying life.
• turquoise controls and heals the emotions creating emotional balance and stability.
• peace, calm and tranquility

* help to balance off the dark emotions driven by the content*

PINK

• compassion, nurturing and love.
• It is the passion and power of red softened with the purity, openness and completeness of white
• intimate, thoughtful and caring
• color inspiring warm and comforting feelings, a sense that everything will be okay.

* help to balance off the dark emotions driven by the content*

COLOUR GRADIENTS

https://99designs.hk/blog/trends/gradient-design-trend/  

https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2018/01/gradients-user-experience-design/  

The articles talked about  gradient being a design trend nowadays. A few decades back, gradients were a popular way to add color and depth to designs. They’re a way to enhance flat designs (a design update known as flat 2.0), add color overlay to photos and add texture to backgrounds.

What is colour gradient? 

Gradients, also known as color transitions, are a gradual blending from one color to another color (or, if you’re in a colorful mood, from one color to another color to another color—gradients aren’t limited to two shades).

What feeling do gradients give off? 

The gradient trend is extremely versatile. It can be bold or subtle, the focal point of a design or a background element. And because they mix and blend different shades of color, gradients can create new color combinations that feel different and modern, lending a completely unique feel to designs.

You can use gradients to add depth to an otherwise flat design, create an interesting texture for a background, or breathe new life (and color!) into a photo—the possibilities are endless!

On the other hand, a gradual blending from a color to white or black (and playing with opacity) can mimic distance from or proximity to a light source. Gradients are more faithful to the real world because real life isn’t made of flat colors.

To customers? 

It feels more sophisticated and high-end (from backgrounds to texture to overlays)—and less “Saved by the Bell.” These new gradients use bright, luminous colors and interesting color combinations that make them feel fresh and modern.

With the sheer amount of content consumers are exposed to on a daily basis, brands need to find a way to break through the clutter and grab their ideal customer’s attention. Gradients that add interest and color to a design are the perfect way to do just that.

MY THOUGHTS 
benifits of using pastel gradient

• eye catching 
• unique branding 
• create the sense of tranquility 
• add depth to design, less flat (have been one of the biggest problem of my previous designs/ design styles) 

I can definitely try adding gradients to my design, to try something out of my comfort zone. As my previous designs all look a bit flat for me, I would really want to try out different ways to further develop my design style and make final outcomes look more interesting. 

[PRIMARY RESEARCH] SOCIAL EXPERIMENT (PERSONALITY TEST)

D FACTOR PERSONALITY TEST QUESTIONS

1. No matter how much I have of something, I always want more.
2. I'm not very sympathetic to other people or their problems.
3. Payback needs to be quick and nasty.
4. Make sure your plans benefit you, not others.
5. I make a point of trying not to hurt others in pursuit of my goals.
6. I am willing to volunteer for people in need.
7. Actually, I’m kind of greedy.
8. Why should I care about other people, when no one cares about me?
9. People who get mistreated have usually done something to bring it on themselves.
10. I do not particularly enjoy manipulating other people’s feelings.
11. All in all, it is better to be humble and honest than important and dishonest.
12. Doing good deeds brings joy to the heart.
13. I can barely stand it if another person is at the center of events.
14. I would like to make some people suffer, even if it meant that I would go to hell with them.
15. It does not give me much pleasure to see my rivals fail.
16. Most people are somehow losers.
17. There have been times when I was willing to suffer some small harm so that I could punish someone else who deserved it.
18. I do not care much for having control over other people.
19. Taking credit for someone else's ideas is a no-go.
20. It is not okay to spread rumors, not even to defend those you care about.
21. Hurting people would make me very uncomfortable.
22. I hate to see people hurt.
23. A person should use any and all means that are to his advantage, taking care of course, that others do not find out.
24. I avoid humiliating others.
25. Never tell anyone the real reason you did something unless it is useful to do so.
26. Success is based on survival of the fittest; I am not concerned about the losers.
27. I cannot imagine how being mean to others could ever be exciting.
28. Stories about honesty and goodness serve only to make people confused and stupid.
29. It is hard for me to see someone suffering.
30. If a business makes a billing mistake in your favor, it’s okay not to tell them about it because it was their fault.
31. I do not mind sharing the stage.
32. Making people feel bad about themselves does not make me feel any better.
33. I do not deserve more things in life than others.
34. Most people deserve respect.
35. I believe that lying is necessary to maintain a competitive advantage over others.
36. It is sometimes worth a little suffering on my part to help others in need.
37. If a short-cut to success is illegal, it is not smart to take it.
38. I would not pursue what I want if this causes problems for other people.
39. If I had the opportunity, then I would gladly pay a small sum of money to see a classmate who I do not like fail his or her final exam.
40. A person should obey the law no matter how much it interferes with their personal ambition.
41. I try to look out for myself first, even if it means making things difficult for other people.
42. If I opposed the election of an official, then I would be glad to see him or her fail even if their failure hurt my community.
43. In principle, everyone is worth the same.
44. If my neighbor complained that I was playing my music too loud, I would turn it down, even if this bothers me.
45. I’ll say anything to get what I want.
46. I do not seek power.
47. I think about harassing others for enjoyment.
48. I would not cheat, even if there was only a small chance of getting caught.
49. People who mess with me always regret it.
50. There is poor comfort in revenge.
51. I tend to forgive the wrongs I have suffered.
52. It is hard to get ahead without cutting corners here and there.
53. A smart person always knows when, how, and to whom to say something in order to seal the fate of someone who offended him/her.
54. It’s okay to treat badly somebody who behaves like scum.
55. Doing good deeds serves no purpose; it only makes people poor and lazy.
56. I don't want people to be afraid of me or my impulses.
57. For most things, there is a point of having enough.
58. My own pleasure is all that matters.
59. If I were on the Titanic, I would not deserve to be on the first lifeboat any more than anyone else.
60. Things cannot always go my way.
61. It doesn't matter how much I have, I'm never completely satisfied.
62. I would be willing to take a punch if it meant that someone I did not like would receive two punches.
63. I feel sorry if things I do upset people.
64. It's wise to keep track of information that you can use against people later.
65. Sweeter is the revenge that takes a long time to prepare.
66. Someone who hurts me cannot count on my sympathy.
67. When I get annoyed, tormenting people makes me feel better.
68. Most people are basically good and kind.
69. To make money there are no right and wrong ways anymore. Only easy and hard ways.
70. If I ever tormented others, I felt strong remorse.

MY THOUGHTS

My initial idea is to place each question on a card. I am thinking of how to develop it.

• will the questions be too intense for play cards? 
• aren't play cards supposed to be bringing people together? 

[RESEARCH] SATAN AND DEMONS

Fallen Angels, devils 

The the symbol of demon first appeared in the Bible, it appeared as a snake. The snake lured Adam and Eve to eat a poison apple.

Snake is then being seen as a symbol of evil from then. And apple is also used as a tool to represent evil as well in Snow White. This shows that many of the stories nowadays, their concepts and plot are developed from myths and the Bible.

Snakes

• rebellion against the creator
• ruin God's good world and other creatures 
• Biblie's first portrait of evil 
• was once God's follower, but he didn't want to live under God's rules, he wanted to be god 
• snake, sea dragon, dark desert creature, king of death in the grave 
• the slenderer 

The satan= the adversary (one of the devil characters) / Lucifer 

• he isn't for anything
• he is anti everything 
• working through lies to drag people back into disorder 
• villains 
• creates chaos 
• people getting creative with the idea of Satan, using it as the reason of anti social behaviours 
• can embody us

Demons (work behind corrupted human power)

• money 
• sex
• military power  
• exploiting humanity greed and selfishnesss
• as well as weakness of mortal bodies 
• chaos, darkness and death 

The origin of devils  (dark side of humanity)/ tempter 

• hell, fire 
• dark 
• temptations 
• an opposite of God

MY THOUGHTS 

Possible visual elements 

• snake 
• apple 
• fire 
• utopia

dreamy vs dark/ dark all through? 

One of my ideas was to make the packaging of the cards look really dreamy and full of joy. However, I think that without this sarcastic element, the cards could look interesting too. Play cards are always decorated and designed in a "happy" looking way. What if my cards are designed into a "dark" way, a sad look way, which is different from other play cards? Would it be more eye-catching among audience? 

References 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-JssjBJKMw 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CamYtVpoTNk