Road Trip Games Illustrated Card Deck
Overview
Smith Street Books approached me to bring Road Trip Games to life, a mid-century Americana–inspired illustrated card deck designed to capture the joys of the humble road trip. With travel looking a little different in recent years, this project set out to celebrate the timeless appeal of exploration and connection.
Their vision was to create a deck that felt nostalgic yet fresh, something that would stand out on the shelf while inspiring spontaneous fun on the road or under the stars. The brief called for playful, colorful illustrations and a bold, cohesive visual system that evoked vintage design without feeling dated.
Together, we crafted a 50-card deck filled with color, charm, and whimsy. I created each card illustration, the back layouts, and the box packaging, weaving in a vibrant palette and retro-inspired typography to complement the spirit of the open road. The final result balances mid-century nostalgia with modern playfulness, a collectible deck that’s as beautiful to look at as it is fun to play.
My Role
Art direction
50 illustrations
Typography & layout
Box packaging design
Credits
Publisher: Smith Street Books
Author: Lucy Jones
Photography: Miachel Pruett
Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Penguin Random House, or your local bookstore!
The Box
The box design is an homage to the road trip theme of the deck, sporting a captivating color that practically begs to be plucked from the shelf. The front showcases a winding road cutting through the cactus-lined desert, adorned with carefully crafted typography, while a map-inspired pattern seamlessly wraps around its sides.
Card Illustrations
The card illustrations and color palette draw heavy inspiration from mid-century illustration aesthetics. Think clean shapes, bold lines, and a touch of whimsy reminiscent of those classic vintage children's books. When it came to selecting subjects, I went with themes that fit the cards but also infused a bit of that American road trip spirit whenever possible.
