My ultimate goal was to open a store selling unique tarot and oracle decks like the ones I’ve amassed in my collection. I like indie decks like Two Sides Tarot and Tiny Red Tarot and thought it would be fun to create my own little collection to offer to folks in Manila (and maybe Asia).
When I decided to experiment with some internet collage images one night, though, things took an unexpected turn, and the Practical Magic Starter Deck was created. In the following two years, you should used the same collage technique to design your own tarot cards.
Intend something
In architecture school, we used to require a design challenge to solve before we could even begin to draw or discuss aesthetics. In order to succeed, you must understand your motivation. If you’re going to make a deck, what’s the point? Is the purpose of your deck to provide a solution or to provide you with a platform for self-expression? Do you want to generate money, support a cause, or improve your own understanding of the tarot by making a deck?
The PM Starter Deck is something I made when I needed a creative outlet. My goal in making the Pinoy Practical Magic Deck was to draw attention to Filipino entertainment. Your motivation for making a deck need not be profound (although they can be). The most crucial part is that you recognise these factors and can describe them in a few simple phrases. There’s a good chance you haven’t gone to the heart of the subject if you find yourself using too many words to explain your motives.
You should think of an idea first.
These days, theme-based decks are the norm for decks made independently of a deck-making service. Declaring, “I want to construct a tarot deck,” is too vague. Give your work some standards. Is an animal-themed deck what you had in mind? Why? Is a “Stranger Things” inspiration appealing to you? What about those soaps from the ’80s? Who are the key players in politics?
The PM Starter Deck I had in mind was meant for newcomers and would be completely original. For Pinoy Practical Magic, I went for a retro, 1970s/80s appearance, and not only because those eras’ Filipino superstars had a certain charm. Doing so also helped me avoid any problems with picture use.
Take your pick among artistic movements
To be honest, I’m more at ease with collage than with impressionism, Op art, or postmodernism; nevertheless, unless you’re making a deck to diversify your style or portfolio, feel free to pick whichever media you’re most at ease with. It’s vital to establish certain guidelines in order to produce a visually consistent deck (unless your theme specifically calls for a wide diversity of image styles, in which case you may feel free to experiment).
It’s at this point that you must accept the limits of your creative ability. If you have a limited amount of time to complete a task, prioritise accordingly. Doing frescoes, photographing them, and then processing each shot may not be the ideal option if you want to complete a deck in a month. Consider if you have the budget to buy 78 canvases if oil on canvas is your preferred medium, and maybe more if you anticipate needing spares for mistakes and the like. In order to have a foundation to work off of when making your deck, you need first establish certain criteria.
Now is the time to go to work.
You’ll simply have to put in the effort, which is what most eager beavers want to avoid doing anyhow. No amount of “magic” will cause a tarot deck to materialise. Get out your iPad, familiarise yourself with Procreate, get some scissors, and mix up some paints and thinners. In this phase, it’s important to take your time, be patient with yourself, and allow for plenty of starts and pauses. When you are ready, show your work to others; it would be helpful to receive feedback from both a non-tarot reader and a tarot expert to see whether your approach resonates with both groups.