This project began with a deep dive into the history of Rook, a trick-taking game introduced in 1906 as an alternative to standard playing cards. Designed for communities like the Puritans and Mennonites, the game was created to avoid the face cards in traditional decks, which were seen as linked to gambling and cartomancy.
Inspired by this backstory, I turned to the Pilgrim Bird—a symbol of early American culture—as the centerpiece of the deck's design. To tie it all together, I used Old English typography to evoke a sense of history and tradition, blending the antique with the contemporary. The result? A deck that respects its roots but isn’t afraid to have a little fun along the way.
Because, hey, if you're designing "Christian cards," they might as well have a bit of flair.
