Year
Year
2020
2020
Client
Client
Sansminds
Sansminds
Duration
Duration
1 month
1 month
Location
Location
North America
North America
Industry
Industry
Magic, entertainment, playing card design
Magic, entertainment, playing card design
The Workshop Deck is unlike any other. Whereas most decks are designed with the considerations of the many in mind, this was designed in consideration of the few. The one, in fact. Tailor-made to Armando's specifications and working style, Armando Lucero’s Workshop Deck encapsulates the feel and sense that is desired by one of the greatest exponents of sleight of hand that has ever lived.
The Workshop Deck is unlike any other. Whereas most decks are designed with the considerations of the many in mind, this was designed in consideration of the few. The one, in fact. Tailor-made to Armando's specifications and working style, Armando Lucero’s Workshop Deck encapsulates the feel and sense that is desired by one of the greatest exponents of sleight of hand that has ever lived.
Armando Lucero is known for exceptionally refined, technical sleight of hand,
Armando Lucero is known for exceptionally refined, technical sleight of hand,
yet most decks on the market are made for the masses rather than the very small group of magicians who work at his level. Existing playing cards either focused on flashy aesthetics or a generic casino feeling, with little attention paid to the subtle handling nuances and symbolic language that matter in a serious workshop environment.
yet most decks on the market are made for the masses rather than the very small group of magicians who work at his level. Existing playing cards either focused on flashy aesthetics or a generic casino feeling, with little attention paid to the subtle handling nuances and symbolic language that matter in a serious workshop environment.
SansMinds needed a deck that could function as a teaching tool, a performance instrument, and a brand artifact at the same time. It had to visually embody Armando’s philosophy, feel trustworthy and durable in the hands, and carry a layer of private symbolism for his students, without alienating casual buyers or feeling like a novelty deck.
SansMinds needed a deck that could function as a teaching tool, a performance instrument, and a brand artifact at the same time. It had to visually embody Armando’s philosophy, feel trustworthy and durable in the hands, and carry a layer of private symbolism for his students, without alienating casual buyers or feeling like a novelty deck.
I designed the Workshop Deck as a fully custom system, including box, backs, faces, and typography, anchored around Armando’s working style and the intimate atmosphere of his private workshops.
I designed the Workshop Deck as a fully custom system, including box, backs, faces, and typography, anchored around Armando’s working style and the intimate atmosphere of his private workshops.
Visually, I combined a minimalist, almost scientific structure with ornate geometric symbolism that only Armando and his students fully understand. The matte black, silver-foiled tuck box introduces a sense of quiet luxury, while the back design and Jokers echo the workshop concept through precise line work and a recurring cube-like motif.
Visually, I combined a minimalist, almost scientific structure with ornate geometric symbolism that only Armando and his students fully understand. The matte black, silver-foiled tuck box introduces a sense of quiet luxury, while the back design and Jokers echo the workshop concept through precise line work and a recurring cube-like motif.
Functionally, I prioritized high-contrast faces, bold line work, and a modernized take on traditional court cards so that the deck reads cleanly in motion and on camera. Every design decision, from the Ace of Spades iconography to the typography of “WorkShop / Armando Lucero / Playing Cards,” serves both legibility and storytelling. The result is a deck that feels exclusive and intentional, celebrates Armando’s identity, and gives SansMinds a product that stands apart as a tailored tool for a very specific kind of magician rather than just another custom deck.
Functionally, I prioritized high-contrast faces, bold line work, and a modernized take on traditional court cards so that the deck reads cleanly in motion and on camera. Every design decision, from the Ace of Spades iconography to the typography of “WorkShop / Armando Lucero / Playing Cards,” serves both legibility and storytelling. The result is a deck that feels exclusive and intentional, celebrates Armando’s identity, and gives SansMinds a product that stands apart as a tailored tool for a very specific kind of magician rather than just another custom deck.