Like everything, the IDEA comes first. We never sit around and think finances or “How to make a quick buck…” I would never waste my time and creative energy working with people who came from this central motivating point. We typically begin the week catching up, getting on track and looking at our calendar; making sure everything is in place (you would all be shocked to learn of how many hurdles we leap to bring our ideas to life). From there, we begin to brainstorm or dream of inconceivable pet projects we feel our fans would cherish and USE.

We weigh our excitement and whittle away at the details. “Is it REALLY that special?” “Can we maintain ULTIMATE control and have it done right?” “How are our fans going to react/interact/accept it?” If we have cold feet about any of these issues we put the concept aside and return with a clear head (usually after a little trip to eat/drink coffee/ soak in some sights and sun in beautiful Downtown Los Angeles/Hollywood).

And this leads me to what I would consider the defining factor, INSPIRATION. As the Creative Director inspiration is key to my vision. Often I find myself on the Metro Mid Day cruising LA…making little photographs…dreaming away with either Dan or Dave, rambling on about The LA Lakers (or Dodgers), Cinema, watercolor paper texture, or the spicy mustard from Philippe the Original. Other days I am an hour south of our studio and sit alone on an old oak bench drinking my daily Oolong Tea. Some of our best designs have been born out of the most unrelated of situations. This is how creativity and ideas work. It all comes from dreams, vision and inspiration.

The perfect example is Fulton’s Clip Joint playing cards. Sitting on a bench during a storm gave birth to the seed idea that was ultimately realized in a deck of premium quality playing cards. 52 little dreams. Explain that? Well…I can do many things BUT define the intangible world of creation I cannot.

All in all it comes down to dreaming, engineering, producing and revising. Not always in that order…

In any case, our ultimate goal is to ensure that everything we represent makes you FEEL. Anybody can release a product for somebody to buy, our goal is to create something you EXPERIENCE.

The House of Mystery is built in a magical world where impossible has no meaning. The photos above depict actual products available to buy. From floating furniture, invisible fans, and appearing swimming pools, the possible in near.

Source: Cut Chair by Peter Bristol, Light Light, Heat Sensitive Wallpaper, People People Speaker, Hydrofloors, Dyson Fan, Conceal Bookshelf, Shadow Chair, Magical Light Switch, Lamp/Lamp, Equilibrium Bookcase, Illusion Table, Secret Passageway Switch, Floating Staircase

The most fantastic effect will be selected by Dan and Dave on December 1st. You may begin emailing your submissions now through November 30th. Remember though, this contest is about storytelling, so allow your imagination to blossom.

Submit your work to contest@dananddave.com. We can’t wait to hear your story.

When the cards are riffled through like a flip book, the illustrations come to life, animating two of magic’s most famous illusions. An orange tree blossoms from an acrobats top hat while a women, having been sawed in half, is pulled apart.

Designed by Sveta Dorosheva, each illustration was meticulously altered to achieve the spectacular animation. Accompanied by two unique Jokers and The Turk, a mechanical chess player from the 18th century whom many believed possessed artificial intelligence, represented on the Ace of Spades.

Never before has the mystique of magic been showcased on a deck of cards like this. A wonderful tribute to the art and a fun addition to your collection.

To celebrate, we have kicked off the party with a brand new website. It was your comments and suggestions that inspired us and for the past nine months, we’ve been working closely with a team to develop an experience we know you’re going to love. This is only the beginning however. In addition to our new website, the Academy, and several new releases, we have many exciting new projects in development. Our future has never looked brighter and we can’t wait to share it with you. Cheers!

This groundbreaking initiative is designed to offer a solid foundation for those just starting out in magic. However, with an expanding library of articles and instructional videos on everything from basic to advanced sleights, effects and flourishes, as well as information on theory and history, the Academy will be an invaluable resource for anyone pursuing the art of magic.

Offered completely free, we encourage everyone to take advantage of this amazing new resource.

Monday at 12pm PST. The Fantastique playing cards are now available.

The Ask Alexander deck is printed on the finest casino paper and to the highest standards available at the United States Playing Card Company. The cards are cut in the same fashion as all Conjuring Arts decks to facilitate smooth handling and effortless faro shuffles.

A limited number of signed Genii’s are available in our shop.

From Cool Hunting:

Nestled in a hidden location in midtown Manhattan, the Counjuring Arts Research Center is ground zero for illusionists and historians alike. The Center provides a range of services, publishes scholarly journals, and teaches hospital-bound kids magic through its Hocus Pocus program. It is perhaps best known as home to one of the largest known collections of historic books, letters, and other media, which the center makes available online.

Bill Kalush, the center’s founder and director, explains how he built the collection piece-by-piece and shows us some of its highlights.