Analog & Duolog by RUTH KEDAR
Duolog
Ruth Kedar's Duolog deck is quite the opposite of her Analog.
Here no emphasis on strict geometrical shapes, but elegant, loose shapes and an
abundance of color. These designs are alive. While the Analog deck is structured
and still, the designs of the Dualog deck look chaotic and suggest motion by the
use of repeated shapes in different colours and -on the Queens- a single curved
line. The loose font type and the irregularly
curved suit symbols fit very well.
Still there are some similar elements left, like
the "veiled" Queens, the "suitsymboled" crowns and the use of
suitsymbols in a line at the top of the cards -as an indication of the card
value-. However, in the Duolog deck another line of suit symbols is also added
vertically, thus creating a sort of framework for the main design.
The background of each card is formed by a fluidly shaped quadrangle -that reminded us of a towel on a clothes-line, gently touched by a breeze-, black for the red suits and purple for the black suits. On the courts the center design is formed by their suit symbols, in ingeniously intertwined colours and shapes. But in a way that keeps the suits recognizable from both points of view. The Aces show multi-coloured suit symbols, but these only work in one way.
CLICK ONE OF THE ACES TO SEE SOME NUMBERCARDS AND THE BOX
The heads of the courts are either "fair" (black
suits) or "red" (red suits) and their facial expression more detailed:
pupils have been added to the eyes and on some of the male courts a facial line.
Beards are accentuated by a sequence of similar black lines.
Just like in the
Analog deck elements of the anglo-american pattern can be found in these courts
too. The "suicide" King of Hearts is even more recognizable here. However,
the attributes (weapons) seem to remain handed out randomly. The Spades remain
the strong suit by giving that sword to their Queen again.
The two jokers and the extra card -with number of the deck- seem to have the same design, but the extra card shows some differences: the jokers have a line of suitsigns. Jokers are sometimes embellished with the four suit signs, probably to indicate that in some games the joker can be used for any card of any suit.
Title-card and backdesign............
Although in our opinion the Dualog is definitely more expressive and attractive, from a designer's point of view both decks have their own merits. According to her website both decks are still for sale there and the portfolio's of her other work are attractive enough to visit her site too. So if you're interested to see some more of her work or to buy her decks, visit Ruth's site....... KEDAR DESIGNS