Designing magic and creating new mysteries is something I love to do! It is not always easy to come up with ideas about how to make the impossible possible. Sometimes I imagine that another magician has already come up with a solution. Then the question becomes, how would I do that trick?
Begin with a Strong Education in Design
After high school, I was accepted into Carleton University’s, School of Industrial Design, program. The year I entered, there were 300 applicants for only 30 positions. Every candidate had to go to an interview with one of the professors of the school and present a portfolio of art they had created. My portfolio consisted of art I’d made throughout high school and also some of the magic projects I’d created on my own. Industrial design is actually product design. The four year program taught me all the essentials for good design.
When I graduated, with distinction, I set out to perform magic full-time. The trick I create are possible as a result of a strong background in both magic and design. Other performers have also come to me to design ideas that they have, but are unable to fathom potential solutions.
This is one of my creations where I magically put a cactus inside a balloon. This trick has allowed me to headline at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. It also paved the way to consult on a 12 part TV series in China. While I was there, I conceptualized cutting-edge magic for the top Chinese magicians.
Above is a sample of the story boards I illustrated for the show. The second photo is the stage for the show, which was custom built in a large sound stage. If you look very closely, you can see a couple of performers on the stage. The curved section in the middle of the second photo is where the celebrity judges were seated.
Designing Magic Never Ends
I always have new projects on the go. They feed my creativity and it is very satisfying designing magic and seeing an audience’s reaction! What a fun life.