The Přiznej Barvu deck

Historical card patterns are dying out (in principle, it is a Darwinian process of evolution, similar to animal species). They are gradually being displaced by globalization (and the international standard of the “English Pattern”), the modern board game industry (which churns out new beautiful colourful boxes filled with colourful chips, dice, and painted game boards) and, primarily, the transition to the ubiquitous environment of digital entertainment. The centuries-old tradition of historical card games and local card decks is losing its original charm. At the same time, on the wave of the spread of new creative tools, a number of original solutions for the card sheet are emerging. The “Přiznej barvu” deck can also be included in this category.

Anna Niklová and Martin Schlichter base their design faithfully on the template of the traditional Prague Pattern. In this case, the solution could be described, using musical terminology, as a remix. The graphic design extensively quotes the original version, but the individual motifs dynamically intertwine with each other. The movement of the individual figures sows chaos on the neighbouring cards as well. Water, blood and urine splash in the cards, mysterious substances burn in the pipes. Cupid's arrows strike more than one heart. On Ten of Bells, the roles between the tamer and the tamed have changed. Despite all the dynamics of the movement, the traditional motifs are still clearly identified. The overall playfulness of the design is more a celebration of the original pattern than a denial of it.

The deck, made using the Risograph technology on graphic paper, is created more as a collector's artifact than for the game itself. It will probably wear out quickly. The flat four-colour design is based on the technology used (this could also be perceived as a quote from historical stencil coloring.) The authors' monograms are listed on the Ace of Leaves (in the centre). The title of the deck, translated as “Admit the colour”, uses a common game phrase that has entered common parlance to mean “to admit the truth” or “to admit something.” See the box►

Above: the Přiznej Barvu deck designed by Anna Niklová, manufactured by Niklová/Schlichter, Czech Republic, 2022.

Anna Niklová: https://www.instagram.com/anickart/