Arcane, Artfice, LTD Creator + New Projects + AMA

[JasonBrumbalow]

Hey Guys,

If you don't mind me leading in with a shameless self promotion:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=549971751717251&set=a.538098856237874.1073741831.537664619614631&type=1   (Like Murphys Magic Supplies FB page to stay up on everything one the way, we have tons of deck projects in the works, and we're coming out swinging.)

As many of you know, my past work includes the art/concept direction of decks such as Arcane, Infinity, Artifice, LTD, 1800, Masters, Gaffs and more. I can't describe the excitement and energy being part of the design and production process of playing cards again. Once it's in your blood, good luck getting rid of it.

The latest project will be exclusively distributed by Murphy's Magic Supplies and is expected to drop in November. Expect something different.

I've been hit on FB with tons of questions regarding decks, my design process, sources of inspiration, etc etc. So, ask me anything. I'm here to contribute to the community in any way I can.

[Maskedfreakinabox]

Wow, glad I came to this thread. I'm pretty excited to see someone with your credentials on here. Welcome!

[Card Player]

You have my full attention. Welcome to the forum.

[xela]

I had no idea you designed/did concept work for E decks! Can't wait to see what you have in store.

EDIT:

Since I just noticed AMA in the title...

1. What was your favorite deck to work on, and why?

2. Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?

[JasonBrumbalow]

Thanks for the warm welcome, guys. Glad to be of service.

1. What was your favorite deck to work on, and why?

Arcane, but Artifice was a close second. I'm not sure if anyone knows the Arcane deck story or not, but I had the idea for the deck in a dream. I immediately woke up and sketched out the ace design. (seen in the link below)   http://hwcdn.net/z6j9k6w2/cds/images/Arcane_sketch_04.jpg

So there was this type of subconscious motivation attached with the Arcanes during the entire design process. Like that feeling you just can't escape after you've had a powerful dream.  Stuck to me like tar until the decks were actually in my hand. They were my fav because the inspiration was literally palpable through the entire creation process.


2. Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?

Horse sized duck, no doubt about it. Why? Easier to take down. Did you see Achilles fight the huge Philistine in the movie Troy? ( http://youtu.be/Sq-uMIZGETs?t=1m23s )

Yep, that's my strategy. C'mere duck, got something for ya.

[john]

Q&A
1. How many design changes did you have to do even though you disagreed?
2. Did the guy who texted you and it was the wrong number on facebook ever say anything afterwards?
3. Lee McKenzie and Carlos Batlló are both credited along with yourself for design on Artifice. So what exactly did you design?
4. You new wife is half fish half women, do you want the top half, or bottom half to be fish?

[JasonBrumbalow]

1. How many design changes did you have to do even though you disagreed?

For Arcane? Hundreds. Literally.

2. Did the guy who texted you and it was the wrong number on facebook ever say anything afterwards?

Nope. Poor sport.

3. Lee McKenzie and Carlos Batlló are both credited along with yourself for design on Artifice. So what exactly did you design?

Artifice was my concept and creative direction. I did some of the work on the joker, pips and face cards and all of the tuck design. But most of the heavy illustrative lifting was Lee.

4. You new wife is half fish half women, do you want the top half, or bottom half to be fish?

Depends, is the fish part deep fried or sauteed?

[john]

5. That being said are you 100% happy with the way every deck turned out?
6. Sauteed with a lemon butter sauce.
7. Since you left Ellusionist how many other companies have offered you a position.
8. What does your collection look like?

[JasonBrumbalow]

5. That being said are you 100% happy with the way every deck turned out?

There are somethings I would change to each deck, but it's not enough to make a difference. Personal preferences.

6. Sauteed with a lemon butter sauce.

Bottom Half.

7. Since you left Ellusionist how many other companies have offered you a position.

Many. I put a lot of thought into the final choice.

8. What does your collection look like?

About 100 decks down from 1000. Mostly just rare decks and used decks for performing. Not as ridiculous as it used to be. I grew out of the OCD of collecting things. Even comics (huge comic collector). In the end, I realized it's just stuff. Just stuff. It's people that place a value on it. So I keep a couple of portfolio pieces and some extras to give away to very deserving people in their time of needs. Other than that, I'm not as compulsive as I used to be about it.

[john]

9. Care to share anything you would change?
10. While you're sharing things, do you have a current and past pic of your collection?
11. How much free stuff did you get from Ellusionist/others.

[Don Boyer]

Hey, Jason, it's great to see you back here - and back in the game!

I'm totally excited about this new deck of yours.  I'm off deck buying, at least until my wife and I buy a new car, but it doesn't make me anticipate this deck any less - especially after that teeny glimpse of the box.

While you're here, go hit up my "Fifth Digit" contest!  Guess the closest to what day and time I make my 10,000th post (over or under) and win an autographed deck of Rider Backs.  (I know - woo AND hoo.  )

[JasonBrumbalow]

9. Care to share anything you would change?

There were a few things on the back design of the Arcane I would have changed. Particularly that swirly thing in the center of the card never worked for me. On the Artifice there was a couple of small things I would have changed about the court cards to give the characters more uniqueness. But too small to make a fuss.

10. While you're sharing things, do you have a current and past pic of your collection?

Nah... not really. Never took pics. Most of my collection is just single decks of each run for my portfolio.

11. How much free stuff did you get from Ellusionist/others.

Mostly samples of product and the stuff that was given to us to put in our portfolios. Most samples have sharpie markings all over them describing different stocks, finishes, thicknesses, results of freezer tests, heat tests, micrometer measurements etc.


Don, its great to see you again, too bud.

[john]

Last question I swear!

When you left Ellusionist did you have to return anything that you were given?

Thanks for answering them all Jason!

[Don Boyer]

Last question I swear!

When you left Ellusionist did you have to return anything that you were given?

Thanks for answering them all Jason!

...and maybe ask him more questions about what he's CURRENTLY working on?    I for one want to know more, that's for certain.

[JasonBrumbalow]

When you left Ellusionist did you have to return anything that you were given?

> With any employment, you have to return anything that the company lends you for company use.

Don, currently I'm working on one of the most ambitious decks I've every worked on. Frankly, I'm wondering if I bit off more than I can chew from time to time. But every time, I get carried a little further when I see the back design snap into focus, or the courts card design executed perfectly.... keeps me pushing forward.

[john]

Okay Don, Ill ask some more CURRENT questions

I haven't seen a rough time of the current project yet, any date set yet?
Any intentions of working with Lee again?
What is the inspiration behind this deck?
Would you rather be intimate with a goat and have no one find out or not be intimate with a goat and everything thinks you were intimate with a goat?

[JasonBrumbalow]

I haven't seen a rough time of the current project yet, any date set yet?

> Looking like a November release

Any intentions of working with Lee again?

> Lee is very busy on his own projects now, but I leap at the idea of working with him again in any capacity. There was never a better guy that can turn my frayed thoughts into lines.

What is the inspiration behind this deck?

> Revealed soon.....

Would you rather be intimate with a goat and have no one find out or not be intimate with a goat and everything thinks you were intimate with a goat?

> Who says I haven't already?

[john]

Is the inspiration for the deck the aforementioned goat?
You say November, this sounds like Black Friday to me .
You and your wife switch bodies, the non fish version this time, what is the first thing you do?
Would you go back to Ellusionist?
Why Murphys?

[JasonBrumbalow]

Is the inspiration for the deck the aforementioned goat?

> It is now.

You say November, this sounds like Black Friday to me .

> I'm hoping early Nov.

You and your wife switch bodies, the non fish version this time, what is the first thing you do?

> Go try to teach her classes and bomb miserably.

Would you go back to Ellusionist?

> No. End of discussion.

Why Murphys?

> Great question. I was approached my many magic companies over the last year. Murphy's was not at the top of my list until I met the people. I stayed with Mark Murphy and his family for a week to interview him as much as he, me. i found them to be wonderful people and the Murphy's team to be an exemplary group to be a part of. Murphy's really takes care of everyone around them, artists and their dealers. They honor their word and stand by their handshakes. I'm honored to be part of the group.

> Murphy's has a world of opportunity on front of it in terms of product development, new magic and new ideas. They just have not had the resources to make strategic moves. That's why I'm here, to prod this team into having fun and making amazing magic and decks. It's already a fun ride.

[Don Boyer]

> Great question. I was approached my many magic companies over the last year. Murphy's was not at the top of my list until I met the people. I stayed with Mark Murphy and his family for a week to interview him as much as he, me. i found them to be wonderful people and the Murphy's team to be an exemplary group to be a part of. Murphy's really takes care of everyone around them, artists and their dealers. They honor their word and stand by their handshakes. I'm honored to be part of the group.

> Murphy's has a world of opportunity on front of it in terms of product development, new magic and new ideas. They just have not had the resources to make strategic moves. That's why I'm here, to prod this team into having fun and making amazing magic and decks. It's already a fun ride.

This actually sounds very interesting.  But to my knowledge, Murphy's is wholesale only, right?  Would that limit things a little, or no?  At the least, it puts Murphy's in the hands of the retailers.  Is Murphy's considering a retail site?

[JasonBrumbalow]

Hi Don,

Good point. But, no.

Murphy's does not have the business model in place to go retail. Moreover, if we went retail we would instantly compete and anger our entire group of dealers who we count on to put bread on the table. Makes zero sense to do that.

All we want to do is create amazing magic stuff to provide to our dealers, but we will not be selling direct.

[Don Boyer]

Hi Don,

Good point. But, no.

Murphy's does not have the business model in place to go retail. Moreover, if we went retail we would instantly compete and anger our entire group of dealers who we count on to put bread on the table. Makes zero sense to do that.

All we want to do is create amazing magic stuff to provide to our dealers, but we will not be selling direct.

Then I count myself lucky that I live near not one but TWO top-notch magic shops! 

Ah - here's a good question: any lecture tours planned?

[mirciusx]

I had no idea you designed/did concept work for E decks! Can't wait to see what you have in store.

Me too. Welcome to the forum and I am so glad to see your work

Arcane is one of my favorite decks and I was thinking to have my first tattoo, ace of spades (without the skull. I love tattoos, but I think they are not for me, but this one...). I have the Arcane wallpaper (google) and the characters did you use on the ace I just love them...where you got this idea? Also, one of my top 5 decks is the Purple Artifice.

Don, yours 10.000 posts is Yesterday at 09:08:48 PM, perhaps?

I wish look with your new projects and I love to see some sketches, even they are secret I am a photographer and a designer and I always loved to see some sketches...

[JasonBrumbalow]

But to my knowledge, Murphy's is wholesale only, right? 

> Right.

Would that limit things a little, or no? 

> It sure limits our revenue model, no doubt.

At the least, it puts Murphy's in the hands of the retailers. 

> That's correct. We want to just get awesome product out there.

Is Murphy's considering a retail site?

> No. It'd be one of the dumbest things we could do. Think about it, if we went retail, we would immediately compete with the same dealers that support Murphy's. Why put off your breadwinners?

[JasonBrumbalow]

Anyone care to see another peek shown first here on AC?