Last week the creative team over at Ellusionist released something simple and beautiful.  A deck of cards that is the product of three top designers who have been working late into the night for the past 5 years.  The deck is called Arcane, and it is the first in Ellusionist’s new line of Signature playing cards.  I’m no magician, but I have always loved the artwork featured on playing cards and the changes that have been made to them over the centuries.  What has always impressed me about Ellusionist is how much attention to detail is placed on the design as well as the execution of a final product.  Their site features discussions and videos showcasing how closely they work with printers to get every last drop of perfection from them.

I was lucky enough to get an interview with one of the artists that brought us the Arcane deck, Jason Brumbalow.

Jason, can you tell me a little bit about yourself and Ellusionist

I was a graphic designer for E for a couple of years (and still am in some regard), currently the General & Marketing Manager. Have been working with E since late 2005

Before Ellusionist, I day-traded currency futures for a living and have the gray hairs to prove it. Was an IT Director for 7 years and have the scars to prove that too. Before that, it was a blur of college, drag racing, bar-tending, airbrushing, and cartooning. I watch “The Big Lebowski” more than I care to admit and I usually have a Beatles / Grateful Dead / Zeppelin mix playing 24 hours a day.

Ellusionist was founded in 2001 by 25 year veteran magician Brad Christian. Rest is here:http://life.ellusionist.com/who-we-are.html

Arcane is the newest addition to your playing Card lineup, and it is a beautiful collection of art that has taken 5 years to develop and perfect.  Can you describe the creative process and how you came up with this deck?

I had a dream back in late 2004 of an idea for an Ace of Spades. I immediately woke up in the middle of the night and sketched it out because it always gets forgotten by morning. That sketch is hanging in my office right now. From that sketch the idea has grown and evolved into a concept that Brad and I have been developing for over 5 years. They have evolved into something unique and utterly elegant far beyond what I thought they might have looked like at the time I woke up and started sketching that night….

For More on the design go here:

http://blog.ellusionist.com/from-overnight-dream-to-tuesday-reality-creator-talks-about-arcane-design/

Where do you get your inspiration?

That’s a good question. Mostly in my sleep. When I’m supposed to be resting is when my juices flow. It’s odd, I get into that “netherworld” right before I go unconscious and that’s when I usually snap out of it and start sketching or writing. otherwise when I’m watching stand-up comedy. For some reason when there is a really good comic who is creative and original is when I start grabbing the sketch pad again.

Ellusionist consists of artists and magicians from all over the world.  What is it like working with such a diverse and interesting team?

Never a dull moment. seriously never. magicians are incredibly interesting people. And they have incredibly interesting creative needs. All in all its a joy to see what comes next when we work with an artist that is super creative. Always something new and exciting. Like tasting new ice-cream flavors you never knew existed.

What advice would you give other designers and illustrators?

Be prepared to suck. Embrace your crappy ideas. Without the chaff there is no wheat. They won’t all be winners and that is something we should all internalize. Don’t let one “oh-shit” kill a thousand “atta-boys.”

But when you do happen on that nugget of perfection learn from it. People say “Learn from your mistakes”. The only thing I ever learned from that is what not to do again. Now “Learning from your wins” will get you there much faster and with more firepower.

What is the most important aspect you look for when choosing a design for one of your decks?

Originality. Like movies or the Simpsons, it’s probably been done. However, you must be original if you want them to sell. First and foremost usable and acceptable. Magician and card people have VERY specific things that they require in a deck of cards for it to perform they way they like it to perform.

Much like drag racers. It can be the prettiest, most muscular car in the world, but if you’re missing a couple of lug nuts on the front tire, they won’t bother, or it will obviously flop. Or crash and burn in an inferno of molten twisted metal and jet fuel.

Favorite Fonts? Last Words?

Fonts:  Hel-FREGGIN-Vetica (and OptimusPricepts)

Words: “Guided by a force much greater than luck” (Start believing it for yourself down in your bones and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy)

That’s a wrap.  Thanks Jason, and great work.  I look forward to seeing your next deck.  Cheers. For more information on Ellusionist or the Arcane Deck, check out their website.