Drive BFCM Growth with the Ecommerce Tactics Deck
Dive into the creativity of Kiersten DePanfilis and the inspiration that led to the Ecommerce Tactics Deck, where merchandising and escapism collide.
Last month, we released the Ecommerce Tactics Deck, a curated deck of cards filled with proven ecommerce tips and tactics to help Shopify merchants grow revenue and retain customers. One of the most remarkable things about it is the beautiful hand-crafted illustrations.
This unique deck of cards has the appeal of Magic the Gathering or Pokemon and draws you (no pun intended) into a world where you're the hero, on a quest to grow your Shopify store.
The artwork is stellar and fanciful and takes me back to my childhood reading CS Lewis novels.
"Is the artwork generated by AI?" Nope.
"Did you use an agency or freelancer?" Huh uh.
The illustrator behind the artwork of the Ecommerce Tactics deck is none other than Kiersten DePanfilis.
A graduate from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University, DePanfilis joined Rebuy in 2023 as a graphic designer, applying her creativity and design skills to social media assets, blog post images, landing page graphics, infographics, and more.
I sat down with DePanfilis to learn more about her creative process and the inspiration behind the Tactics Deck artwork.
1. What inspired the artistic style you chose for the Rebuy Ecommerce Tactics Deck?
DePanfilis: Before I started designing the Rebuy Ecommerce Tactics Deck, I frequented some of my favorite online resources for inspiration, such as Pinterest, Dribbble, and Behance.
While researching, I paid close attention to how other designers and illustrators used the composition and layout of their cards, and how their graphic elements and typography worked in unison.
I decided to illustrate my designs in a simplistic and whimsical way by implementing hand-drawn linework and bright colors. Being a huge fantasy nerd, I was enthused by the idea of illustrating a world that consists of all things magic.
"Anyone in ecommerce knows how fast-paced it can be, as you’re often managing multiple tasks, battling deadlines, and dealing with high expectations. I wanted to contrast this stressfulness with a deck of cards that could hopefully provide a sense of escapism."
2. Can you walk us through your creative process for designing the cards?
DePanfilis: My creative process in designing the cards involved a 4 step approach:
- Strategy
- Research
- Development
- Refinement
My creative process in designing the cards involved a 4 step approach: strategy, research, development, and refinement.
The first step I took was to define the creative brief. This involved determining what goal I wanted to achieve, who our target audience was, who our competitors were, and what tone we wanted to convey.
After I developed a clear direction, I began my research, looking at numerous examples of existing tarot cards. I studied the illustration styles, text hierarchy systems, and color palettes.
Once I had a firm grasp of what other designers had created, I started designing. I began by sketching in my notebook, determining the subject of the design and what environment I wanted to put it in. Then, I transferred my sketches into Adobe Illustrator, using the pen tool to refine my work.
3. Do you have a favorite illustration from the deck, and why?
DePanfilis: My favorite illustration from the deck is ‘Page Optimization’ in the Collections category. I’m drawn to this card because it reminds me of one of my favorite scenes from ‘Lord of the Rings’ where Gandalf and the Fellowship approach Moria.
The staff shown in the design is also inspired by Gandalf’s, wooden with a magic crystal on top. Not only am I drawn to the ‘Page Optimization’ card because of what inspired it, but also because of the color choices I made. The orange in the sky contrasts nicely against the gray in the stone wall.
4. Were there any particular artistic techniques or tools you used that helped bring the cards to life?
DePanfilis: To bring the cards to life, I implemented a couple of artistic techniques to help make them one-of-a-kind.
To create a hand-drawn appearance in my line work, I experimented with the stroke weight in Adobe Illustrator. This made my illustrations look hand-drawn, without actually being hand-drawn. If you look closely enough, you’ll also notice that a slight dotted pattern exists in the background of each card, along with a texture overlay on top. This was done to create an extra-dimensional piece to the card deck.
As a designer, I’ve come to realize that even the most subtle changes can make a big difference in the outcome of my designs.
5. What do you hope Shopify merchants and ecommerce managers feel when they interact with the deck and see your artwork?
DePanfilis: I hope they feel a sense of playfulness and warmth. One of my main goals when designing the Rebuy Ecommerce Tactics Deck was to create a fantasy world for viewers to explore. Anyone in ecommerce knows how fast-paced it can be, as you’re often managing multiple tasks, battling deadlines, and dealing with high expectations. I wanted to contrast this stressfulness with a deck of cards that could hopefully provide a sense of escapism.
Learn more about Kiersten DePanfilis
Apart from her design work for Rebuy, DePanfilis is also a model, actress, and the owner of creative studio Sunkissed Studio. In her free time, she loves hiking with her Siberian Husky, Kona, and working out at the gym. You can explore her portfolio at Sunkissed Studio and visit her online store, Sunkissed Studio Stuff.
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