Magician Problems

More funny stuff at www.Zazzle.com/MagicTrickShirts

The Classics of Magic... Bring a Towel

Here's a fun little comic panel I put together using a stock photo (probably from istockphoto.com) and a funny idea.

Years ago I used a rabbit in my act. Named Sebastian. Wore a spiked collar. This was very early in my career as a magician, so I didn't have very many gigs. Sebastian got to appear maybe 4 times before I sold him to an older more experienced magician.

The biggest show was at a magicians convention in northern Ohio, maybe Massilon. I was booked to appear in the close-up contest, very exciting. My act consisted of a card trick with my pet rock finding the chosen card, a dice matrix routine set to music, cups and balls and a cut & restored rope. I ended the routine by producing Sebastian from a crumbled up paper bag (which had been used earlier in the show). I did the performance and everything went fine.

Until I was told to move over to the next table and do it again...

Circus Camp Logo Design Notes

Logo for our 20th anniversary - www.CircusCamp.ORG

Circus Camp is an Atlanta based summer (and winter) camp for children age 5 and older. We teach all manner of circus skills, including trapeze, web, silks, lyra and other aerial equipment. Also juggling, clowning, magic, acrobatics, tightwire, theatre and lots of other fun stuff. It's a very popular camp, and the kids have a blast!

This type of font has been overused in my opinion, but it's still a good font.

The colors work well in a circus theme, especially kids oriented, but I wanted to avoid the standard circus font. It's good, but we've been using it for a long time, plus so many other circus schools and camps us it. I wanted to give the logo an up-to-date look. However, that old font really said "circus", so I needed something else to make that statement. That's why I used the tent top. I've seen something similar used on a couple of other circus logos, and I liked it.

Another property I wanted for this logo was flexibility. It looks good just about any way it's scaled, whether proportionally, stretched vertically or horizontal. That's a very useful trait when laying out a page.

The "20 Years" is just for this years version, of course. The logo still works fine without it, and other text can be inserted either to the left or right of the tent top. Or both, although I prefer to the right because the flag is a helpful pointing device. Of course, the flag could just as well be pointing to the left to help guide the viewer's eyes that direction on the page.

I also designed a version that better fits a horizontal space, such as a web banner ad.

I've been using this one more and more.

A Portfolio Sample for Your Viewing Pleasure

Flyer/Poster for my show on September 14, 2012

This is the poster/flyer I designed to help advertise my appearance at the Ludlow Theatre with Circus Mojo on September 14, 2012. I really like how it turned out, and I'm sure I'll be using the main layout for other posters. I especially like the background image.

If you need a poster, flyer, brochure, logo or any other type of graphic design work done, please check out my portfolio and give me a call. I'm also available to design websites.

I'll be posting more of my portfolio items here, and I look forward to your comments.

Enjoyed my Circus Mojo trip!

www.CircusMojo.com

Spending a week with Circus Mojo in Ludlow Kentucky (near my hometown of Cincinnati Ohio) was an eye-opening experience. I knew about them from their web presence and friends who had worked with them in the past. I was impressed.

However, once I met the owner Paul Miller my level of impressed was doubled. He has a long-term plan, and works very hard to make it happen. Circus Mojo is very busy, with all manner of performances, workshops, classes and other events going on.

At the end of the week, on Friday September 14, I performed in their theater and it was fun. Some of my old friends from my Cincy days were there, including Artie Kidwell. Boy was it good to see him again! He has a cute little magic shop in Covington, well worth a visit.

I'm looking forward to working with Paul a lot more in the future, including designing the website for their Ludlow Theatre. This venue will host all manner of entertainment, from circus acts to jugglers, magicians to rock bands and just about anything in between.