ROCKETBUSTER BOOTS TRADING CARDS CATALOG

If there was ever a design of mine that made it into cult status, it is this one.  These design objects from the 90s are still found on Etsy and Ebay for good prices.  Owner Marty Snortum approached me about a follow-up to my previous catalog design – the Rocketbuster Boots N-cowboy-pedia.  He simply gave me a handful of 50s baseball trading cards and told me to design cards and packaging with that same cheaply printed and innocent feel.  I love using nostalgia in design so I had a ball with this project.  It won a gold award for catalog design in the local Addies. 

It was also included in Touch Graphics, a design book featuring the best tactile design projects across the world.  Unfortunately, I was not credited for the design, Marty’s wife Nevena Christi was...hmmmm.  Consider that remedied.  

See my design for Rocketbuster Boots N-Cowboy-Pedia Catalog

 

There were two package designs made to house all of the cards. I flipped the colors on each package to differentiate between them. Rocketbuster Trading Cards

There were two package designs made to house all of the cards.  I flipped the colors on each package to differentiate between them.

 

I designed the “Boots” type in Illustrator, manipulated an existing font for the “Trading Cards”, and illustrated a baseball player wearing his Rocketbusters. Typographic heavy design.

I designed the “Boots” type in Illustrator, manipulated an existing font for the “Trading Cards”, and illustrated a baseball player wearing his Rocketbusters.  Typographic heavy design.  

 

I came up with the Dugout Debbie image and text. Image is from a 50s bra ad. Note the fabulous Henry Martinez designed Rocketbuster logo!

I came up with the Dugout Debbie image and text.  She came from a 50s bra ad.  Note the fabulous Henry Martinez designed Rocketbuster logo!

See my design for Rocketbuster Boots N-Cowboy-Pedia Catalog

Package tops

Package Tops

 

A sampling of the card designs and varying color usage to keep things interesting.

A sampling of the card designs and varying colors usage to keep things interesting.

 

A sample card front showing the “cheap quality” printing. These cards are printed on thick card stock on a one-color press which allows for some off registration making them look that much more vintage.

A sample card front showing the “cheap quality” printing.  These cards are printed on thick card stock on a one-color press which allows for some off-registration giving them that instant vintage look.

 

Same card, backside. Marty wanted the back to look like a baseball stat sheet that shows the boots specs. Brilliant! He also wanted each card to have an original cartoon by the maestro Nacho Garcia...brilliant again!

Same card, rear side.  Marty wanted the back to look like a baseball stat sheet that shows the boots specs...brilliant!  He also wanted each card to have an original cartoon by maestro cartoonist and illustrator Nacho Garcia...brilliant again!

 

My design was featured in Touch Graphics, a design book showcasing the best tactile design projects across the world.

My design for the Rocketbuster Boots Trading Cards was featured in Touch Graphics, a design book featuring the best tactile design projects across the world.

 

The Touch Graphics spread featuring my Rocketbuster Boots Trading Cards Catalog design.

The Touch Graphics spread featuring my Rocketbuster Boots Trading Cards Catalog design.

 

Jud Burgess, the true designer of the Rocketbuster Boots Trading Cards Catalogue. Credit where credit is due.

Jud Burgess, the true designer of the Rocketbuster Boots Trading Cards Catalog.  Credit where credit is due.

See my design for Rocketbuster Boots N-Cowboy-Pedia Catalog