Gay Little Monsters

Gay Little Monsters is a whimsical playing card deck designed specifically for queer kids and teens. It is based on four monsters, Sam, Dimitri, Oogly-Boogly, and Kathy, who act as the suits for this deck. I believe it is incredibly important to welcome children into the queer community so they can grow up proud of who they are. Having queer-themed games and accessories can be an exciting and affirming way for young people to express their newfound gender identity or sexuality. Unfortunately, there are not many of these options on the market that are appropriate for children. Gay Little Monsters addresses this gap by combining child-friendly design and language with a message that openly celebrates and affirms queer identities.

Gay Little Monsters is designed to stand out, both visually and conceptually. I created custom vector iconography with a bold white-on-black theme that pops on the shelf. The classic rainbow palette is reimagined with softer hues to reflect queerness in a slightly more subtle way. Curved lines in the illustrations and typography echo the shape of the rainbow and add to the deck’s whimsy. The oozing effect on the tuck box ties it all together, with a gooey, monster-inspired twist that makes the deck feel fun and unique.