Personal Project - Summer 2026
Task
I wanted to create a custom deck of Pi Kappa Alpha playing cards that blends classic card design with my fraternity’s identity, traditions, and branding.
Typefaces
Times New Roman and Arial were selected to align with Pi Kappa Alpha's official brand standards, ensuring consistency with the fraternity's established visual identity while maintaining clarity and readability throughout the deck.
Colors
The color palette features Garnet, Light Gold (Non-Metallic PMS), and Navy, in line with Pi Kappa Alpha's brand standards. This creates a unified look and highlights the fraternity's traditional colors throughout the presentation.
Symbolism
Each graphic element was carefully picked to show Pi Kappa Alpha's history, values, and traditions. Greek letters, mottos, and chapter details all add meaning and help tell the deck's story.
S.L.A.G
S.L.A.G. stands for Scholars, Leaders, Athletes, and Gentlemen, and is the pillar of our success. The men we recruit are the best, and we select only those who exemplify these four characteristics.
Founders
The Kings and Jacks pay tribute to the people who built Pi Kappa Alpha’s legacy. The four Kings and two Jacks stand for the fraternity’s founders. The other two Jacks honor a junior founder and a respected member of the Alpha Xi Chapter who made a lasting impact on the chapter’s history at the University of Cincinnati.
Values
The Queens stand for the values that shape Pi Kappa Alpha. Three of them represent the fraternity’s main principles: Friendship, Love, and Truth. The fourth honors Pi Kappa Alpha's Dream Girl, a tradition that has been part of the fraternity for many years.
Jokers
The Jokers show hand drawn sketches of the old and new Alpha Xi chapter houses. This design honors the chapter's history and highlights its ongoing growth and future.
Truck Box
A custom tuck box designed for the Pi Kappa Alpha playing card deck, featuring the fraternity’s branding, preamble, crest, and a tribute to the Alpha Xi Chapter at the University of Cincinnati.
