Pulse
Trading Cards with a Heart Beat
Client:
Pulse Trading Cards
Made for:
Collectors on the Passionate Side
OVERVIEW
The goal was to elevate Pulse's Drift trading card line, revitalize a middling sub-brand, and strengthen the visual and product presence in an increasingly competitive market. The project evolved the existing Icon line through a fresh creative perspective and sophisticated production techniques, while introducing Vector, an entirely new card brand within the Pulse portfolio.
Pulse is a new player in the highly competitive trading card market, differentiating itself through direct relationships with individual athletes rather than relying solely on traditional licensing and league partnerships. The challenge was to create a visual language that gave the brand greater shelf distinction while establishing a premium product experience that could compete with more established names in the category.
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The project encompassed brand strategy, branding, visual identity design, card design, layout, and print production oversight. For the Icon line, we reimagined the existing brand with a more contemporary visual approach and elevated production techniques, including die-cutting, foil, holographic treatments, spot varnish, and specialized print finishes. We developed Vector as a new sub-brand within the Pulse portfolio, establishing its own visual identity and design language while staying connected to the broader Pulse brand architecture. Production oversight extended through the development of mass-production files, ensuring that the creative intent translated accurately into the final manufactured cards.