I have a couple of articles in draft mode and I'll get to them in time.
But for right now, Topps just revealed what the 2016 Topps cards are going to look like.
I know you're excited.
I know I'm excited.
So what are we waiting for?
Ladies and Gentlemen, here is the design for 2016 Topps Baseball:
First thing you're going to notice...NO BORDERS!!!
Why?
According to the Topps Blog (with former Beckett editor and SCBR Hall of Famer Susan Lulgjuraj now running the ship, this blog should be way more relevant now):
This year’s design was a change of pace from previous years, and 2016 takes another huge step away from what had been the norm. The 2016 design features nearly full-bleed photography, which will showcase a wide range of action photography.
“We have had a white border for so many years and it was sort of a staple of the Topps design,” said Topps senior art director John Doldan. “I think we are trying to move forward and make the cards a little more modern and current. I think gradually we have been going in that direction and break from the past a little bit.”
Logo will be on the bottom right corner, player name, team name, and position juts out on a bar in the middle. Because it looks like it's going to be a full-bleed design, it has a "Stadium Club" look to it, something I thought I'd never ever see in an eponymous base design.
So after years of looking to the Hobby's past for inspiration, it looks like the Company is finally going to focus on its future in 2016. Details have not been released yet, but according to Topps' twitter feed (@toppscards), "We will have more next week for the Topps Art Director discussing the process and the new design on the blog!"
I'm feeling mixed emotions so far, especially with the detail of the design itself. It might be one of those, "I'll need to have the cards in my hand" kind of thing before I can make a complete decision if I like the design or not. Maybe I'll have a better idea when more details come out or when the sell sheets are posted.
But what do you think? Do you like the design? Hate it? Thoughts?
Sincerely,
JayBee Anama
I like it: the full bleed implies "class" and I have a soft spot for old Stadium Club issues. That said, I'm much more of a "back" snob: it has to be legible, informative, and complete -- that 2012 Jamie Moyer Update Series card worried me more than a little!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of '88 with that horizontal band on the bottom right. Full bleed is overdue.
ReplyDeleteI love full bleed cards but I'm not sure how I feel about it on the flagship Topps. In the card shown, I'm more concerned about what's going on in the upper right and lower left. Smoke? Fog? Dust? Some effect Topps is using? If it's an effect, I'm not sure I like it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, this is a strange photo. With the placement of the umpire it looks like Posey has 4 arms. I would imagine that a genetically modified catcher with 4 arms would be pretty effective.
My first thought: 1990's Topps Stadium Club. I'm loving it and can't wait.
ReplyDeleteMy second thought: 1990's Mortal Kombat character Goro. I hope the other cards have such ridiculously interesting photos.
This years Staduim Club was terrific looking. These should do well. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI'll run kicking and screaming to Topps Heritage. There's a reason UD cards are so homogeneous. On the other hand, if it is a one-year only variation, I'm for it.
ReplyDeleteVery much dislike it. Let Topps' special sets and other manufacturers play around w/ artsy borders. Topps eponymous set should always have white borders. It is the set by which all others are judged, and it sets the standard. It should show some restraint and class w/ it's design. What is "modern design" anyway other than whatever is going to look dated and undesirable in roughly 5 years time. This is not even mentioning the fact that bleed and colored borders do nothing but broadcast any flaw, no matter how small, in a card's border. I actually will not purchase Topps' eponymous when they stray from the traditional white borders.
ReplyDelete