Thinkin' of making me some chips

[Trident Cards]

Thought this would be a nice gift for some of our business partners:

Kinda of an Egyptian Scarabe theme. What do you think?

Thanks. aF

[tb_bucc]

I like it. Makes me wish I was a business partner.

[Detroitdad]

That will be a very impressive chip. Just like your customer service!!!

[links_slayer]

Hmmm.  I'm not sure.  Can we see the other denoms?

[Trident Cards]

Thanks all - was hoping you would find some issues, though. I mean, y'all order custom chips every fortnight or so. This is the only draft we have; we'll do the denoms once we settle on a basic design. aF

[Detroitdad]

I don't really do the custom chip thing. Unless you count my hotstamped ASM's. That was just choosing colors.

That chip looks cool as hell though. In real size it might be a little to busy, but what the hell.

I could see the denom maybe being to small maybe

[Wedge Rock]

Fantastic design.  Might lose some detail when it is printed actual size...  Do some test runs before ordering a large batch.

My concern would be making different denoms distinguishable in a pot...  Its a cool concept, but it has a lot of color in it...  What are the other denoms going to look like such that, with a quick glance, you could rough estimate the size of a pot?

Or are these not intended for actual play?

[OldWestGambler]

beautiful!

as stated before the only concern is differentiating colors/denoms with all the colors used.

[Midnight Rose]

[Trident Cards]

Well . . . there are tradeoffs to all changes. These are three possible options:

1. Draw a thick rim along the top of the chip with the dominant color. Make the body of the scarab the same color as the dominant color. But, this will substantially shrink the image of the scarab, etc.

2. Make the body of the scarab, plus the "orbs" at the top and bottom of the chip, the dominant color of the chip. Perhaps the same with the elliptical and roundish shapes in the wings (currently a rusty red). This is kinda of a split the baby approach.

3. Take out some of colors, and make the design mostly out of different tones of the dominant color. This will make it easier to distinguish individual denominations, but the design will loose some luster.

It would be nice if these could be used for actual play.

The denomination either could: (a) be moved up so it is centered on the chip or (b) enlarged so that it is easier to see.

The edge of the chip probably should be simple - just the dominant color of the chip plus the denomination.

Any preferences?

[Midnight Rose]

Without seeing examples of each, I like the sound of option #2 best.  And I also like the denom as-is (artistically speaking, anyway; it may be not as appealing practically, but I like that the number doesn't stick out like a sore thumb on such a beautiful canvas.

[Trident Cards]

So?

[Detroitdad]

WOW

I think these are stunning chips.

Did I read correctly that your going to have the denom's on the edges of the chips? If so, that might be my only complaint.

I love the face of these chips, and the quarter is awesome

Well done

[Midnight Rose]

Me likey!

[Detroitdad]

Me likey!

Where is the Midnight Stamp of approval? Or is that reserved for when the chips are actually produced.

B

I would be interested in a sample set or pending the price, a small 1/2 set.

[MsprinM]

Those are really cool.

[Midnight Rose]

Me likey!

Where is the Midnight Stamp of approval? Or is that reserved for when the chips are actually produced.

That comes when I get these babies in my hot little hands...

[Martini]

The face designs are a nice diversion away from the standard chip designs. The color and detail are a welcome alternative to the more conventional look. I like the "1/4" fractional which seems so very appropriate for the theme. I don't know for sure but it seems like sorting out the chips might be challenging since the look is so similar between the different denominations. I think that a shift in hues for the backgrounds of the different denoms could give each of the different chips a more distinct personality without detracting from the unique look. Nice work on the chips.

[djexacto]

I would post this thread on chiptalk.  Also, have you chosen a manufacturer yet?

[Squiggly]

I think this design is great in that it is different from EVERYTHING else out there. However, I have two concerns:

1. Still unsure about how these will be distinguishable from each other in a pot.

2. Concerned about the level of detail in this design when taking into consideration printing. On CT, Garyon came up with a brilliant design for some ceramics that looked amazing "on the computer" but once the samples were in my hands, they lost so much of the detail they were quite disappointing.

[Trident Cards]

Thanks all. Yes, differentiating the chips vs. straying from the design still is a concern. But let's have some samples made and see how they look at this stage. IF we get the MRSOA then we may put them into production . . . aF

[Martini]

LOL, yes, the "get samples" mantra applies here as well! Perhaps even more so than normal. One thing that is going to be tough to do is to get enough to simulate real play. I had samples of the Samurai chips but it was only under actual playing conditions that it became apparent that the chips were similar enough to be confused with each other.

[Detroitdad]

LOL, yes, the "get samples" mantra applies here as well! Perhaps even more so than normal. One thing that is going to be tough to do is to get enough to simulate real play. I had samples of the Samurai chips but it was only under actual playing conditions that it became apparent that the chips were similar enough to be confused with each other.

Same here. In my newbie chip days I really liked the idea (still do) of the Coconut Tree Chips. I ordered 30 as a sample set. Thank god I did. You couldn't tell one apart from the other in the pot or in stacks. Dirty stacks would have been a big problem.

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Awesome.  I love the design and artwork. Very well done.  Like the others mention, distinguishing the chips will be the tricky part. 

Here is one 'simple' suggestion.  The red orbs in the five chip contrast very well against the main art and the red gradient color you are using in the scarab.  That will help differentiate the demons at a distance.  The same can be said of the yellow orbs on the quarter chip but you could deepen the scarab body color like you've done with the five chip.  With your other chips, if you altered the contrast of the orb colors against the main art and the color of the scarab body, it might be an easy tweak without sacrificing your beautiful artwork.

Excellent design!

[Trident Cards]

All of the comments are very helpful and point in the same direction. The next step would be to start messin' with the colors of the wings . . . . Thanks. aF

[Trident Cards]

Well?

Simplified a bit for production. 

[Squiggly]

Wow... now that is an awesome design. The changes you've made have made them 100% better as useable chips, but you still maintained the original design that made these unique.

Great job. Who do I talk to about a sample set? 

[Detroitdad]

Wow... now that is an awesome design. The changes you've made have made them 100% better as useable chips, but you still maintained the original design that made these unique.

Great job. Who do I talk to about a sample set? 

X 2 on both accounts

[links_slayer]

I'd make the green 25 or change the color if you're going to keep it 20.

[Jambine]

This is a much more playable set.  As some above have mentioned, the visual contrast is really important.  That is, there needs to be enough separation to easily determine what denominations you're looking at (in a pot, or a chip stack).

Great looking set

Well?

Simplified a bit for production. 

[Martini]

I think they look even better than before. They are sharp looking yet will not sacrifice any playability now that the colors are more distinct from each other.

[DJFaight]

these are looking amazing! What if you had a dealer button made from the very first image you posted with all the different colors? That image was beautiful, but not at all playable as has been agreed upon by all.

[Midnight Rose]

Artistically, I liked the first set better; but I agree 1000% that this set is a better compromise for the sake of playability.  I'm not as crazy about the 1/4 chip right now - something's a bit off in the contrast that doesn't seem to be the same with all of the other chips - but this set is very, very close to getting the preliminary MRSA.  I simply can't decide which one I like better between the 1, 5, and 100.

(And by the way, I kind of like that the 20 is the same color as the traditional 25 would be.  It gives a nod to what most people would expect for that chip's functionality, while at the same time tweaking its nose at convention.)

[Midnight Rose]

I just figured out what my issue with the 1/4 chip is: compared to the others, it looks monochromatic.  If you can imagine such a thing with a colorful chip like that.

[MsprinM]

Its getting harder and harder not to buy chips that I dont need.

[Motojunkie]

When do you think that you'll have these made?  I'm interested in a set.  My only input would be to make the green chip a $25 so it follows convention as previously mentioned.

[Detroitdad]

Its getting harder and harder not to buy chips that I dont need.

I know, I love these chips...............lol

Wait, I'm looking for a 1/2 cash set............hmmmmmmmmm

[LuckyDog Poker Art]

Alex, I am going to agree with Rose, that artistically, the first set works best.  This revised set does improve visibility but I think the sacrifice is too much.  Any chance you can go back to the first set and come up with another option?  Perhaps making the outside ring thicker (like in set 2) is all that would be needed.  Perhaps making the East/West orbs bigger might help as well.  I really, really like the first set and would encourage another refinement.

[Midnight Rose]

My only input would be to make the green chip a $25 so it follows convention as previously mentioned.

Please believe me when I say that this is not meant in any sense of the word as a snide remark aimed at you - and after all, it's only one woman's opinion - but I'd way, WAY rather see a non-green $20 than Yet Another silly $25 cash game chip.  This set is too non-conventional, IMO, to fall into the haze of We're Doing It Because That's The Way It's Always Been Done.  The 1/4 chip, and the entire design itself, is proof positive of that.  A $25 chip would absolutely ruin this set for me.  And that would make me very, very sad.

[Wedge Rock]

$20's work much better for a cash set, IMHO.

This set is much more playable.  Though not as beautiful as the first set, the first set was 0% playable.  This is a great compromise.

Unfortunately, I think there is too much detail to come out on a 39mm chip.  I hope I am wrong.  This might be an idea to shop to a few different makers and see who comes out with the best product.

[Trident Cards]

I'm sorry to take so long to respond - I've been in conference calls most of the day. Thank you all for your interest and helpful comments. I think the best next step is to take a look at some samples so that we can take into account changes needed from a production point-of-view. aF

[Motojunkie]

My only input would be to make the green chip a $25 so it follows convention as previously mentioned.

Please believe me when I say that this is not meant in any sense of the word as a snide remark aimed at you - and after all, it's only one woman's opinion - but I'd way, WAY rather see a non-green $20 than Yet Another silly $25 cash game chip.  This set is too non-conventional, IMO, to fall into the haze of We're Doing It Because That's The Way It's Always Been Done.  The 1/4 chip, and the entire design itself, is proof positive of that.  A $25 chip would absolutely ruin this set for me.  And that would make me very, very sad.

I will never be offended at a differing opinion.  I don't have anywhere near the experience with these things that you and most of the folks around here have.  with that said, my opinion is only that- and opinion, and it's worth what you paid for it.    In fact, I shared my opinion even though I technically shouldn't have, since I don't plan on buying any green chips.  My normal cash game is .25/,50 NLHE, so I don't need anything bigger than a red.

What's the time frame on these?  Should I be holding off on ordering my Pharaoh set to wait for these?

[OldWestGambler]

First set is beautiful but not playable. Second set is beautiful and playable.

I am concerned about the Yellow 1/4 chip as well. Like Rose has said there is less contrast. This is also a concern with the Red 5 chip. There should be some attention paid to darker tints in the wings of both chips so that it more closely resembles the design of the Blue chip.

All in all a fantastic design but I think without fixing the problems Rose and I have detailed you may end up with the Red and Yellow coming out looking a little flat compared to the green and blue.

Beautiful design. As a designer myself I'm terribly jealous.

[Lucky Aces]

Trident - Sent you a PM...

Great design you have going, and like most have said, a welcome change from the norm!

[Trident Cards]

Thanks all. Cece, the designer (who also created Tribus and Elements), is reading this thread, so your comments are not getting lost. In terms of getting them done, I don't want to give you a timeframe - if and when we do them depends on making sure that they come out "right" first. Best. aF

[Midnight Rose]

Where is the Midnight Stamp of approval? Or is that reserved for when the chips are actually produced.

That comes when I get these babies in my hot little hands...

This set now officially has the MRSA Gold Stamp.  And, surprise surprise, the 1/4 chip is by far my favorite.   The vividness you see on screen apparently can't quite be captured in the process of making the chips, so the brightness of the 1/4 design translated to a just-right chip.  The blue 1, then the green 20, are my second and third favorites.  The features that I liked about the 5 and 100 "on paper" - their more subtle tones - make their "wings" not stand out enough.  A chance in the hues to match the patterns in the other chips should fix this, though.

One very nice realization in the chips is that very little of the detail was lost in translation; only the area closes to the body was hard to make out.  Other than that small issue, I think that tightening up the images (and of course, figuring out the edges), will make this set a winner.  I'm certainly putting the prototypes into my collection kit.

[Midnight Rose]

I just looked at the prototypes compared to the designs again, and I can see some detailing that was muddled.  Interestingly enough, it's in the body, not the wings.  Especially along the head; you can't easily make out the "eyebrows" (I have no real idea what these elements should be called, sorry), as they blend in with the face color.  It's a minor issue, but it's there.  I believe that the chip designer will be getting her prototypes soon, though, so she should be able to confirm this.

[Trident Cards]

Hi all,

We're getting closer. What do you thinks of this:

Thanks. aF

[Squiggly]

Wow! They look great! The design transferred very well to the ceramic. The printing looks very crisp. Nicely done.

Where do I order a sample set? 

[Martini]

I've never cared much for the denominations printed on the rolling edge of chips. They give a chip a "right side up" and an "upside down" and that stuff bugs me when I have chips stacked up. It also makes the chip less international which would be a shame since there is no currency symbol on them and they could be used worldwide.

Looks like the colors shifted from the on screen values, not surprisingly. Not sure what can be done to compensate. I think the pink looks a little out of place compared to the more earthy tones of the rest of the set though I know it needs to be differentiated from the Reds. Blue might be a little punchy also but that might be the scan, dunno.

Overall though, still a fantastic looking unique design and I think offering the 20 and the 25 makes a lot of a sense from a chip supplier's perspective.