Asymmetric spots? (2 Viewers)

binoclard

binoclard

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Hi,

I was playing with the CPC Design Tool, and once again ended up with several "one spot" chips. I guess I really like those 1D18, 114, 1TA316 and so on… My frac or 1 will definitely be one of those. I guess I could even imagine a whole set progressing with just one spot getting larger to a half-pie.

And then I was wondering: has anyone designed a set with really weird asymmetrical chips?

I have quickly threw a bunch of tests… Granted, most are terrible, but a few are somewhat decent (I quite like the 4, 8, 9), and I was wondering if it may be something worth pursuing, perhaps for a set with a futuristic theme, etc. With the right colours, and the right inlay, it could work, with some contemporary / avant-garde flair…

Looking forward reading your thoughts :)

asym.png
 
I’m all for doing whatever makes you happy tbh. It’s your set, and if you’ll smile getting to se it hit the felt, then why not?

I think the idea is very interesting, I’d love to see your progress if you choose to pursue this.
 
Ok, this one will certainly have @chippitydoodah report me and get me banned :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:

ASYM-2.png


I am not seriously interested in doing a real set like this. I do not have enough disposable income to even consider making a real asymmetric set just for shit and giggles. And I have way too many more interesting serious "normal" ideas for sets I would make first.

But like I said, I have found that the "one spot" pattern makes for a great chip, and I followed the rabbit in the hole… I think it is interesting to dig and pursue as an idea, a concept, just for the sake of it, to explore, to push the enveloppe, to question the tradition. Often the tradition is there for a reason. Sometimes not.

I quite like the "one moon". Not sure I would keep it vs more interesting "one spot" though…
The 20 makes my eyes bleed, I could not have it on the table, it would drive me mad all night; but I love it.
The 5 and 100 are meh and awfully expensive for a bad joke.

If I get back to my first quick test, I think the 4th with the half-pie+1 works.
First and last ones could be, with the right theme and colours. I could totally see some SF theme, a nice alien symbol and the right font. Weird, but why not?

Edit: Bold for clarity
 
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It sure would make for a unique snowflake of a set, but at the cost of everything we hold dear. There must be a reason why most, if not all, chip sets follow some kind of symmertry. Personally I think this is a horrible idea, but your custom set would be for you and not me.
 
binoclard said:
But like I said, I have found that the "one spot" pattern makes for a great chip, and I followed the rabbit in the hole… I think it is interesting to dig and pursue as an idea, a concept, just for the sake of it, to explore, to push the enveloppe, to question the tradition. Often the tradition is there for a reason. Sometimes not.
Click to expand...

I assume the reason why we usually have 3+ spots is so the chip will have a prominent spot in every half-circle view, which allows easier stack counting.
 
I know people hate on the Paris/Horseshoe WSOP chips for their asymmetry but they'd be decent looking chips if they just had an extra edge spot. I think a 'fixed' WSOP tribute set would be an excellent idea for a Tina order. But yea, OP chips are over the line. :D
 
"Asymmetry: lack of equality or equivalence between parts or aspects of something"
We could argue about the definition, but imho, all those you crossed are demonstrating some form of asymmetry, no? I mean, the simple fact that the spots are not regularly balanced around the perimeter, puts them in this category. They are not symmetrical, nor balanced, that's my point.

Edit: if you want to argue bout my use of the expression "Asymmetric spots", okay… blame that on my non native English skills, but I think the scope of the thread is obvious and understandable enough (and the reactions tends to prove that :ROFL: :ROFLMAO: ) not to nitpick about the terms, don't you think?
 
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Okay… If you really want to argue that the pink, brown and blurple one are symmetrical, in the sense commonly admitted when talking about poker chips, feel free.

Anything more substantial and concrete to add to the discussion, perhaps? Any real life example of chips that breaks the symmetry tradition? Any constructive criticism? Or advice on why it would be a terrible idea in practice?
 
binoclard said:
Ok, this one will certainly have @chippitydoodah report me and get me banned :ROFL: :ROFLMAO:

View attachment 1174976

I am not seriously interested in doing a real set like this. I do not have enough disposable income to even consider making a real asymmetric set just for shit and giggles. And I have way too many more interesting serious "normal" ideas for sets I would make first.

But like I said, I have found that the "one spot" pattern makes for a great chip, and I followed the rabbit in the hole… I think it is interesting to dig and pursue as an idea, a concept, just for the sake of it, to explore, to push the enveloppe, to question the tradition. Often the tradition is there for a reason. Sometimes not.
Click to expand...
Okay, I found your previous posts mildly amusing (and slightly disturbing), but I personally think you have a real winner of a concept with the above mock-up.

It's the added offset denomination (hot-stamp / print / label / inlay, any of those directions would suffice) that makes it a truly brilliant idea. It just works.

New-age art cool, imo. I'd buy a set. May even design a set of cheap china key ceramics using the concept.
 
Thanks @BGinGA. They do have something indeed, don't they? I came back to them this morning, and yeah… it rather works in a weird disturbing way!

Imho, the 5 and the 100 need some more thoughts. I'll let them sleep for a week, refine and polish a bit the hot-stamp, and let you know when I open the orders for the group buy :cool

I was thinking of making the two sides different, and calling them The Asylum, or something.
 
I spent a bit of time refreshing Stack #5, which is the most visually interesting to me when looking at the edges.

While most non-chippers won't comment on the edges, they will likely be subconsciously uncomfortable during play (besides the modern art enthusiasts.) A sense of unsettledness that contradicts a designer like Roger Thomas.

Screen Shot 2023-08-06 at 1.04.59 AM.png


The tradeoff is that it's more visually interesting if the viewer deliberately focuses on the chip stacks. Most of the stacks appear chaotic but have a sense of connectedness (the light green and green jagged stripes running up the edge.

Screen Shot 2023-08-06 at 1.06.14 AM.png


And if arranged or if the chips fall just right, the stacks can be beautifully ordered.

Screen Shot 2023-08-06 at 1.13.01 AM.png
 

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binoclard said:
I was thinking of making the two sides different, and calling them The Asylum, or something.
Click to expand...
One of the many unrealized themes I have thought about doing is The King in Yellow, asymmetric spots would be perfect... :wtf:

Or @improviseallday 's quoted chip would of course be great with the sleepy one in the middle.

iaia.jpg
 
@improviseallday Interesting experiment! I was hiking with the dog yesterday, musing, drafting a new thread idea in my head about "faces vs stacks". I'll have to give it more thoughts and have a better look at all the sets and chips I have saved as inspiration, but I have noticed that some of the chips I really like when looking at the face make stacks that I find either way too busy or unappealing, and conversely, faces that I find "okay but not wow" could make stunning stacks… One more variable to have in mind :wtf:

@mipevi YES! I have the King in Yellow / Cthulhu mythos in my potential theme list too! I am not a fan of full pictures as inlay, but I could see it with some cool disturbing symbols. And gag-inducing, brain seizures triggering colours associations :LOL: :laugh:
Edit: 20 years ago I dreamt about a custom ceramic set with Cthulhu' head on one side, with tentacles wrapping around the edges to the other side, making the spots…
 
binoclard said:
@mipevi YES! I have the King in Yellow / Cthulhu mythos in my potential theme list too! I am not a fan of full pictures as inlay...
Click to expand...
I actually think full pictures would work really well, because they tend to be asymmetrical by default. I would figure out the inlays first, then design the chips to complement the artwork.

binoclard said:
...I dreamt about... Cthulhu…
Click to expand...
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/drjohns-chip-pr0n-41-worlds-of-cthulhu-asm.60454/
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/drjohns-chip-pr0n-44-casino-rlyeh-asm.60515/

:eek:
 

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