Akumal - Beach Casino (2 Viewers)

[MrWookie69]

I just can't help myself.

As I kept looking at the colors of my last Northwoods Hideaway chip set, I kept thinking of Mexico.

My wife and I were married on the beach at Bahia Principe, during sunset. At the time, the Bahia was split into two sections - the Tulum side, which was the family side - where we stayed, and the Akumal side, which was the "no kids" side...where we preferred to go, since it was quiet. They've since really expanded the resort, but I really gravitated towards the name Akumal, as it's rather uncommon, but short and memorable for a graphic. Especially on an insert/label about 1" in diameter.

I designed the Akumal logo based on a multi-color logo/sculpture I've seen for Playa Del Carmen - not a total copycat - just "inspired by", as as these colors just make me think of the vibrancy of the Riviera Maya in general.

And came up with this....

The colors and detail of the inserted graphic are really muted and compressed - the colors are quite a bit more vibrant than this photo.

I added a little stylized blue wash in the background to feel like the clear blue caribbean water. The sun is stylized after the Bahia Principe "Akumal" side of the resort. Again, not a copycat - just a stylized version.

As soon as my wife saw this, she said "SHIT YES!". LOL

We're planning to take our kids to this resort in a couple of years - and they're going to love it - though we'll be staying on the Tulum side.... doesn't matter.

So for now - the Northwoods is shelved - possibly indefinitely.

Details of the workhorse chips

 

[Cratty]

Like it! Would be concerned that you might lose "Beach Casino" in printing. Also think the lower location text could likely use a size increase too so it is legible.

But looks good!

 

[MrWookie69]

Like it! Would be concerned that you might lose "Beach Casino" in printing. Also think the lower location text could likely use a size increase too so it is legible.

But looks good!

A bit a head of you, and I agree. I've been playing with this since this post - lightened the blue water background a bit. Had to update the text on the bottom.

The compressed resolution from uploading files to this site softens the images quite a bit. I look at these chips on my iPhone at 100% chip size, and it's pretty solid. ...though I expect, depending how these are printed, they could be a bit soft as well.


detailed views

 

[drdr]

I like this. Resalable too.

Unsolicited half red colour blind advice. Can ignore, we're a minority. I see no difference in colour between 25c and the $500, but no worry since they wouldn't usually play at same time. The 25c and $1 look similar in colour but I can tell the difference when concentrating or when I know I need to look for a difference.

 

[MrWookie69]

Took Cratty's advice and upped the "location text" by half a point, then reworked the water wash a bit...

Detail view

 

[Cratty]

No more tweaking allowed. Ship it. Lol

Good work!

 

[MrWookie69]

I like this. Resalable too.

Unsolicited half red colour blind advice. Can ignore, we're a minority. I see no difference in colour between 25c and the $500, but no worry since they wouldn't usually play at same time. The 25c and $1 look similar in colour but I can tell the difference when concentrating or when I know I need to look for a difference.

I wanted a pretty diverse set - a small stakes set 25¢ - $5 (maybe $20), and a higher stakes set of $5+ for the rare occasion

Never thought about pink/purple being a color blind issue like red/green, much less pink/blue. Hoping the denoms are big enough.

No more tweaking allowed. Ship it. Lol

Good work!

Funny how fast this one fell into place. About to run out the door and take the kids fishing a second time today. LOL

Yeah. This is going to print. My wife is 100% sold on the sentimental value alone.

 

[PseudoPsanity]

I really liked the Northwoods set, but it's hard to compete with these. They look great! Hope to see some pictures of the final product.

 

[MrWookie69]

I really liked the Northwoods set, but it's hard to compete with these. They look great! Hope to see some pictures of the final product.

Same. But this one has so much sentimental value, I have to leapfrog that Northwoods. ...those will probably get printed in 2025 or 2026. ...one set for the house, another set for a trip to the northwoods.

 

[Cratty]

...one set for the house, another set for a trip to the northwoods.

Now you're thinking like the rest of us.

Soon you will have 6 custom sets being made and on their way, with 3000 chips already on hand. Your friends and family will start commenting on how they didn't realize you loved Poker so much, only for you to tell them that you don't play often and merely enjoy the game in the 2x per year you play. You'll then use the opportunity to educate them on Tina, CPC, Paulsons, mold variants, chip manufacturing, and the benefits of chip types (e.g. clay vs ceramic). Your relationships with your friends and family will start to fade away because they don't realize the greatness, furthering your spiral into this community and more sets.

Wait.. what was I saying? Oh yeah, nice. Sounds like a good plan.

 

[kmccormick100]

Love the concept, and the inlays are super fun!

Couple Issues with the set in my mind that you may want to address before ordering:

- Wayyyyy too many shared colors (particularly the $.25/5/20) is going to make for a dirty stack nightmare, especially in less than ideal lighting.
- The use of the sam "bear claw spot" pattern on the workhorse chips makes for a less interesting set/progression IMO. I'd recommend either go full bear claws on the whole set or mix it up on each denom
- The $500 highest value chip is probably the plainest and most boring of the whole lineup which is unusual

Otherwise can't wait to see how these turn out. Are you planning on using Tina's faux RHC mold?

 

[Cratty]

IMO with the sun/wave pattern, these scream perfect for the new web mold. Hell, might even consider the greek mold given MX architectural inspiration.. but would steer away from RHC personally.

 

[MrWookie69]

Love the concept, and the inlays are super fun!

Couple Issues with the set in my mind that you may want to address before ordering:

- Wayyyyy too many shared colors (particularly the $.25/5/20) is going to make for a dirty stack nightmare, especially in less than ideal lighting.
- The use of the sam "bear claw spot" pattern on the workhorse chips makes for a less interesting set/progression IMO. I'd recommend either go full bear claws on the whole set or mix it up on each denom
- The $500 highest value chip is probably the plainest and most boring of the whole lineup which is unusual

Otherwise can't wait to see how these turn out. Are you planning on using Tina's faux RHC mold?

I've been playing with spot patterns quite a bit since this. Haven't posted anything - it's also the most frustrating part. Just spinning wheels at this point.

It's difficult to keep the colors vibrant without reusing certain colors - so I'm 100% OK with some redundancy. If I like the color, FK it. I'm going to use it where it works. LOL

Then you couple that with me not liking some spot patterns at all. And there's also some spot colors working better with open gaps between the spot colors (bear claws) vs. some spot color working better when spot colors are touching other spot colors. ...Then there are the spot pattern designs where they snuff out the actual "chip color" - which I don't want to do either - so those are off the board - the chip color is the biggest differentiator between the denoms.

Someone said in a previous thread, "Save your best spots for the workhorse chips" - which I'm going to do. So that means I'm also OK with the $500 being rather boring, since it won't get used very often.

I've tried so many other spot patterns and colors on my 25¢ - $5 chips, and I don't like most of them. And to me, a bunch of chip denoms with random spot patterns looks more disjointed than a cohesive set...

 

[MrWookie69]

a couple of my latest options for spot colors, plus added a dealer button... I do know one thing - the Akumal logo will make for a cool poker table design.

Wanted to see what the $1 chip looked like with a deeper blue - but prefer the lighter blue (feels more Caribbean).

 

[MrWookie69]

Started from scratch with colors and spots...

Still drawing inspiration from his sign in Playa Del Carmen...

Really had to sit down and think this through...

Workhorse chips:
25¢ - So much vibrant pink painted architecture in the region
$1 - Caribbean blue water
$5 - Had to add a literal "Sun Chip"
$20 - Mayan emerald green jewelry

$100 and $500 - go vibrant or go home. Just get those PDC colors on these chips...

The dealer button - I remember our Bahia hotel rooms are filled with limestone tiles. You can even see the color of the limestone wall under PDC sign in the photo above. So went with a metallic gold and almond colors on top of bright white.

 

[Cratty]

Great job. Love your yellow chip.

 

[harrysallout]

Started from scratch with colors and spots...

View attachment 1361719



Still drawing inspiration from his sign in Playa Del Carmen...

View attachment 1361731




Really had to sit down and think this through...

Workhorse chips:
25¢ - So much vibrant pink painted architecture in the region
$1 - Caribbean blue water
$5 - Had to add a literal "Sun Chip"
$20 - Mayan emerald green jewelry

$100 and $500 - go vibrant or go home. Just get those PDC colors on these chips...

The dealer button - I remember our Bahia hotel rooms are filled with limestone tiles. You can even see the color of the limestone wall under PDC sign in the photo above. So went with a metallic gold and almond colors on top of bright white.


View attachment 1361729

I like the bright colors. Curious as to how they would look with a black or darker inlay background vs current.

 

[MrWookie69]

I like the bright colors. Curious as to how they would look with a black or darker inlay background vs current.

Are you baiting me?

 

[MrWookie69]

Yes. There's was I could clean it up....

Dammit! Now I have to try this...

 

[Cratty]

Light better IMO with the sun, but dark theme could still look good.

 

[MrWookie69]

Light better IMO with the sun, but dark theme could still look good.

Here's the entire set in black with some slight mods to make it work better than above - this still needs work regardless. But....the black POPS! for sure, and I do love a Mexican resort at night, but I also like the bright airy feel of the white inlay.

vs...

 

[drdr]

Good improvement, love the new colours that are easier to distinguish. Less dirty stack chance.

Can't decide on which inlay set.

 

[Nickamas]

The black pops more and has better contrast. The white goes more with your beachy resort theme. The black reminds me more of a night club or rave. I think both look great and you can't go wrong so please just choose whatever you like better. My opinion is going with the white.

 

[MrWookie69]

Wanted to give the black inlay a fair chance, so reworked the beach wave graphic - then used the new inlay graphic for the white inlay...

New set comparison

detail comparison

 

[Cratty]

Opinion of 1..visually I like black more (generally always will), but it loses the theme some. The white theme/visual wins for me and turns a good design into a great one.

 

[MrWookie69]

Opinion of 1..visually I like black more (generally always will), but it loses the theme some. The white theme/visual wins for me and turns a good design into a great one.

Same. I'm glad I went through this process, as I reworked the waves graphic, and I like it better than before - even on the white chip. I also cleaned-up "AKUMAL" a bit, so now it's easier to read. Definitely punches harder than before.

I'm definitely going with the white inlay.

OK! I need help getting these files set up for TINA printing. Who can I hire to help me out?

 

[raynmanas]

big fan of the black in a vacuum, but i think white works better with your theme

*edit* lol posted that before i saw this

Opinion of 1..visually I like black more (generally always will), but it loses the theme some. The white theme/visual wins for me and turns a good design into a great one.

 

[btbmason]

Great design!

Agreed with others that the white inlay fits the theme better, but I like the black dealer button even if keeping the chip inlay white.

 

[Coyote]

What was wrong with the very first version?

 

[MrWookie69]

What was wrong with the very first version?

Type was a bit too broken/distressed - made it tough to read at 100% Inlay size of 1" - get worse if was 7/8" size. The "blue water shield" behind the type was a bit busy - I like the new waves layout more in this - helps with the "Beach & Casino"... which is small as is.


love where this netted out.