At Champlain College, education goes beyond traditional lectures and textbooks. Through the Embedding the College Competencies grant, funded by the Davis Educational Foundation, Champlain College is fostering a dynamic learning experience that equips students with 12 essential skills—including Collaboration, Creativity, and Communication. To make these competencies more accessible and engaging, a team of students has developed an innovative deck of competency-based cards. Manufactured by Shuffled Ink, this unique project is bringing education to life in a fun and interactive way.
The Story Behind the Deck
The idea of using cards as an educational tool originated from Game Design faculty member Jonathan Ferguson, who first applied card-based activities for faculty development. Building on this concept, Graphic Design majors Anne Judson and Ben Treybal designed a new version of the deck, blending engaging visuals and branding with key learning principles. This marks the first card project for both Anne, Ben, and the rest of the team.
The Creative Process
The card deck’s design stems from a broader branding initiative led by Champlain’s student graphic designers. With a solid brand identity in place, the team transitioned from standard playing cards to a larger, tarot-sized format to accommodate more information. Using Adobe Illustrator, the students incorporated distinct colors and shapes that correspond to the competencies.
The Impact of the Competency Cards
Games are inherently social, and this deck leverages that quality to create cooperative learning environments. The hands-on nature of the cards allows faculty and students to engage in a “state of play,” fostering collaboration and a shared sense of understanding. Faculty members have expressed appreciation for the cards, noting how they encourage experimentation and discussion in an enjoyable, non-traditional format.
Overcoming Challenges
One of the main challenges during the design process was determining the right amount of information to include. While some faculty members desired more details, the team had to balance content with the physical constraints of the cards as well as accessibility guidelines. The final product successfully provides key insights while maintaining readability and usability.
Looking Ahead: The Evolution of Competency Cards
Although these competency cards are specific to Champlain College, the team welcomes collaboration with other educational institutions interested in adopting a similar approach. To learn more about Champlain’s competencies and the student designers’ branding guidelines, visit competencies.champlain.edu.
The success of this deck has paved the way for an exciting new project: “Compemon” cards. Inspired by Pokémon, these student-facing cards illustrate how each competency develops over time, helping students visualize their personal and academic growth. Set for final production in summer 2025, this initiative aligns with Champlain’s goal of increasing competency awareness and application across campus.
By blending education with interactive play, Champlain College is shaping a future where students not only acquire essential skills but also enjoy the process of learning. Stay tuned for more innovative projects that redefine the educational experience!
Choosing Shuffled Ink: Quality and Reliability
Partnering with Shuffled Ink was a strategic choice for Champlain College. As a U.S.-based manufacturer, Shuffled Ink provided responsive service and delivered high-quality cards on a tight timeline. The professional look and feel of the cards exceeded expectations, and Champlain College is excited to continue this partnership for future projects.
Lisa Raphael wasn’t setting out to launch a game when she first created Brand Name: The Naming Game—she just wanted to give a thoughtful, fun gift to her clients. But as a lifelong game-lover and creative powerhouse behind branding agency, Relatable Content, Lisa quickly realized she was onto something. Brand Name isn’t just a game—it’s a tool for connection, creativity, and community-building. And it may inspire you to think up the next big brand.
Brand Name makes business-building feel less like work and more like play. Even if it is Lisa’s work. A service Relatable Content offers is literally naming. Lisa took that process and turned it into a party game, with cards representing the building blocks of branding, like problems and the people you’re solving them for. Lisa designed the deck to be vibrant, engaging, and empowering—each card combo opens up new possibilities and encourages players to dream up fun, fresh brand concepts.
From Sports to Game Nights: A Creator with Purpose
Lisa’s path to entrepreneurship started in entertainment, wound through digital media, and found deeper meaning as a co-founder of a sports media company for female fans. Her mission now? To help underrepresented business owners brand and build their businesses. That passion is baked into every card of Brand Name.
To bring the deck to life visually, Lisa teamed up with local artist Ivana Pinto, whose style felt like a perfect match. Together, they created something bold, polished, and personality-packed. Lisa wanted her game to feel just as legit as the big-brand brainstorming sessions—only way more fun, colorful, and inclusive.
Lisa’s advice to anyone with a game idea or a business dream: “Do it. Don’t overthink how hard it might be. Focus on the freedom, fulfillment, and self-expression that come from building something your way. And don’t forget to craft your personal brand—it’s your superpower.”
Working With Shuffled Ink
With so many options on the table, Lisa went with Shuffled Ink for our high-quality cards, standout service, and easy, supportive process from start to finish. Her experience working with Lisa (yes, Lisa and Lisa!) was nothing short of stellar—and the final deck? Absolutely perfect. With vibrant pops of a colorful sunset palette, the quality of the cards shine with the perfect finish and texture.
What’s Next for Relatable Content?
Lisa’s got more creativity up her sleeve. With two new games in development, pop-up events on the horizon, and a line of messaging workbooks in the works, 2025 is shaping up to be a big year. Her goal? Keep making tools that help people feel seen, inspired, and capable of launching something amazing.
Lisa didn’t just create a game—she created a platform. One that encourages joy, sparks innovation, and invites everyone to take up space at the table. Because the best ideas don’t always come from the loudest voice in the room—they come from those bold enough to name them. There’s nothing like watching someone discover the joy of Brand Name. For Lisa, the magic happens when a group of friends—or even total strangers—start shouting out brand names, business ideas, laughing, and surprising themselves with unexpected brilliance. It’s not just a game—it’s an experience.
While there is a long history of card flourishes having a close connection with card magic, over the last decade cardistry has really developed into its own independent art-form, and is now riding a growing wave of popularity that is completely separate from magic altogether. There is some cross-over, but the only real thing that cardistry and magic have in common is the tool of choice: a deck of playing cards. But even that is changing, because recent years have seen a growing number of custom decks being produced purely for cardistry, with attention to visual designs and colours that look great in fans or cuts. Many of these new decks are altogether unsuitable for card magic or card games, but really do help bring card flourishing to the next level.
Our digital age means that cardists around the world can easily share videos, and this has really helped cardistry grow and evolve rapidly. New moves and ideas are constantly emerging, and there’s a large number of exciting talent that shares their skills and teaches their moves online on youtube and instagram. The cardist community is vibrant and active, and in recent years an international cardistry convention has quickly become an annual and important event on the cardistry calendar. The support of big names like magicians Dan & Dave Buck has contributed to its growing success, and it typically is a meeting point for the world’s best cardists and the world’s best cardistry decks.
So how can you get started in cardistry, and where should a newbie begin? This article aims to help get the complete novice going on a journey into this exciting new world, with some tips and suggestions.
Your Deck
1. Use a quality deck that handles well. Any worker needs good tools to get the job done, and the same is true with cardistry. You will see lots of videos with flashy decks, and we’ll get to talking about those in a moment. But the most important thing you need is a quality deck that handles well. You can always improve the looks later, but as a beginner, what’s most important is good handling. Don’t use an inferior knock-off deck from a dollar store, because the cards won’t slide smoothly and consistently, and it will only cause frustration and disappointment. The next points on this list will help you identify what kind of deck you should get.
2. Use an embossed (air cushion) deck. Cheap doesn’t always mean bad, because you can buy quality decks at a relatively low price. But you want to avoid cheap and nasty decks that are touristy souvenirs, or budget items from a dollar store or corner shop. Playing cards are made out of paper, and what you want is paper that has embossing. This means that it has tiny bumps with little air pockets between them, which will make your cards flow smoothly and evenly over each other – essential. Playing cards with a completely smooth finish won’t fan or spread evenly, and their handling will be very inconsistent. Most quality playing cards will be embossed with an air cushion style finish.
3. Use a Poker sized deck. A lot of souvenir decks are bridge sized, and these are also the type of cards many people will have in their home. But they’re called bridge sized cards for a reason. It’s because they have been optimized for the traditional card game of bridge, which requires players to hold a hand of 13 cards. As a result, bridge cards are narrower than Poker sized cards. While you can do cardistry with bridge sized cards, it is much better to do card flourishes with wider Poker sized cards. These larger width cards will handle more consistently and allow you to do things that you simply can’t do with bridge sized cards.
4. Use a Bicycle deck. The best place for a beginner to start is with a standard Bicycle rider-back deck produced by the United States Playing Card Company (USPCC). Alternatively get a Tally Ho Fan back deck, which is also produced by USPCC, handles exactly the same, and is a top choice for many cardists. These decks meet all the above criteria, and will handle just beautifully, without breaking the bank. The only real difference between these decks and the fancier higher end cardistry decks is the artwork on the cards, more exotic tuck boxes, and sometimes the brand name. But there’s no need for you to start learning with a higher end expensive deck that only differs in looks. If you are just looking to explore card flourishing, almost any Bicycle deck will do just fine. Even many experienced cardists will save their expensive decks for special occasions, and practice with a Bicycle or Tally Ho deck. A standard Bicycle rider-back deck will typically only cost a few bucks, and handles just as well as any customized deck designed purely for cardistry.
6. Use a newer deck. You don’t need to have a brand new deck to do cardistry. In fact some cardistry moves (e.g. cuts) will actually be slightly easier that a deck that has been worn in slightly, and where the cards aren’t too slippery. But you should avoid using a deck that is completely worn, because an old, tattered, and miserable looking deck is just going to make your life as a cardist a whole lot harder. The cards won’t handle consistently, and instead of sliding over each other smoothly and evenly, they’ll catch or clump together. Do expect your cards to wear out over time, and that’s the reason many cardists buy decks in “bricks” (a dozen at a time). For cuts and combos you’ll usually want something a little more worn, but newer decks will make things like faro shuffles and fans easier and more even.
6. Look after your deck. There’s no point in throwing money away by being especially hard on a deck. Some basic rules about deck care will go a long way to ensuring that your playing cards go the distance. Some important tips include the following: Make sure you have clean and dry hands. Practice over a soft surface like carpet rather than over cement or the outdoors, which will cause cards to get bent and dirty. Avoid moisture and humidity, and don’t leave your deck lying in the sun. Bend the cards both ways, and if they get warped put them under some heavy books or in a card clip.
7. Optional: Use a cardistry deck: Certainly you can buy specialized decks of playing cards that particularly lend themselves well to cardistry. One of the most well-known cardistry decks is the Virtuoso deck, which was the first deck created specifically for cardistry, and has come out in several versions. Decks like these have a visual design that automatically makes some of your basic moves look amazing. This can make the whole cardistry experience more enjoyable, and will help motivate you to stretch yourself and try new moves.
Your Teachers
Social media and digital technology has not only helped cardistry to evolve and grow rapidly, but it also helps connect you with some great teachers online. A wide range of excellent instructional materials is readily available online. There are premium videos you can pay for, but there’s more than enough free videos that will get you started, and using this material will give you a head-start in your new cardistry career. Here are some great resources that I’d suggest you begin with.
1. Cardistry Basics by Chris Ramsay. Chris Ramsay is a respected magician and cardist who has over a million subscribers on his youtube channel. In this video he teaches three very basic moves that are a great place to begin your cardistry journey: the swing cut, swivel cut, and rotation cut. You’ll master the swing cut and swivel cut in no time, and be well on your way to enjoying cardistry! Chris also has several other great videos worth checking out, including his cardistry tips for beginners:
2. Recommended Path of Moves by Reddit Cardistry. The cardistry community on Reddit has put together a very helpful “Resource and Beginners Guide”, which includes a list of common core moves that are arguably the best place to start with. These moves are often key components of more complex flourishes, and represent an ideal place to begin learning. In their “Recommended Path” section, they offer a list to all these elementary flourishes, along with direct links to several video tutorials for each move. These moves include key flourishes that you’ll almost certainly want to learn and enjoy, like the Spring, Charlier Cut, and Five Faces of Sybil.
3. Cardistry Tutorials by School of Cardistry. The School of Cardistry channel on youtube was started in 2013 by cardistry team New Deck Order. With professionally produced tutorials, it was designed to function as a centralized and structured platform for complete beginners to pick up the art of cardistry. It has over 100,000 subscribers and millions of views, and is a fantastic place for those new to cardistry to start. The School of Cardistry will give you the ability to start with the basics, and naturally progress to more advanced moves. Their progressive system of learning ensures a systematic approach in which you can build up skills, with the benefit of videos that are short and yet have clear verbal instructions. Start with the video that gives an overview of the basic moves they can teach you:
4. Cardistry Bootcamp Basics by Lotusinhand. This is a newer channel, but in the last year they have produced an excellent set of introductory tutorials which they have entitled Cardistry Bootcamp – Basics. These tutorials cover all the essentials you need to start with, like basic grips, cuts (Charlier Cut, Swing Cut, Hot Shot Cut), shuffles (Riffle Shuffle, Faro Shuffle), and fun moves like the Spring, Cascade, Waterfall, and many more.
5. Learn the Classics by Fontaine Cards. Fontaine is the brand and online home of famous cardist Zach Mueller, who is easily one of the biggest names in cardistry. In the “Learn The Classics” section of his website, Zach offers free tutorials that cover the basic grips in cardistry, as well as elementary moves like the One Card Twirl, Pirouette, Swing Cut, Charlier Cut, Thumb Fan, One Handed Fan, Spring, Dribble, and Waterfall.
Next steps? Many of the above channels will take you beyond the basics, especially the School of Cardistry, which also offers instruction for many intermediate flourishes. But if you do want to learn more, you might want to check out some of the excellent tutorials from Virtuoso and dealersgrip. Some of the tutorials from 52Kards are also worth a look. And if you are really serious about diving further into your cardistry, head to the giant list of cardistry moves and tutorials that was created by cardistry enthusiasts on Reddit.
Your Attitude
1. Feel welcome. Watching the highly skilled performances of experts can be very motivating, but it can also be somewhat daunting and intimidating. Don’t let this dampen your enthusiasm, or make you think that cardistry is only for the elite or for professionals. Card flourishing is an art-form that is well within the reach of beginners, because all you need to try it is a good deck of cards. From there you are limited only by your imagination, creativity, and manual dexterity. Learning some basic cardistry moves is really not very difficult, and can be very rewarding and enjoyable.
2. Master the basics. It’s a good idea to learn some basic swing cuts and swivel cuts, because these will get you familiar with rotations that are foundational to a lot of other cardistry. The Five Faces of Sybil or the Sybil Cut is another good move to learn early in the piece, because it also offers a lot of possibilities. Other moves you’ll have fun learning include the Charlier Cut, Revolution Cut, Spring, and WERM.
3. Have a graduated approach. Don’t start with moves that are too difficult. Many card moves are built on other moves as a basis, so it makes sense to have a graduated approach to your learning, by mastering some of the foundational moves that more difficult flourishes are based on, and working upwards from that. Some of the channels that offer systematic learning materials will structure their tutorials along a path, and even list basic moves that are prerequisites to their more advanced flourishes.
4. Learn what you like. There’s no rules for what cardists must or must not do. It’s an art form, much like music or dance, so that means that you have complete freedom to explore whatever suits your taste. Some people like cuts while others prefer isolations, and there’s many other styles and areas of interest. By all means stick to what you prefer and what interests you.
5. Practice often. Cardistry is a skill that anyone can learn, but it does require practice. It’s an exercise in manipulating your fingers and working your muscle memory. Some moves will seem awkward at first, but with practice, they’ll become second nature, and you’ll surprise yourself how easy something will become over time, even though it initially seemed completely impossible! There’s lots of times where you can practice – when you’re watching TV or a movie, or waiting around for a friend. So get used to carrying around a deck with you and filling in those empty gaps where you’re just killing time with some card moves.
6. Focus on being smooth, not fast. Good card flourishing is all about flow and smoothness. Rather than rush through your flourishes, really make an effort to perform your moves smoothly and cleanly.
7. Wait with creating moves. It can be tempting to want to create your own moves and flourishes. This can be part of the fun of cardistry, but isn’t something you should be doing too early in your journey into cardistry. First get yourself familiar with some of the existing and basic flourishes out there. Knowing the basics and having a mastery of the more well known intermediate cuts and flourishes will only put you in a better position to create your own moves later.
8. Don’t give up. If something isn’t working, or if you’re getting frustrated, just put your cards away for a bit, and come back to it later. Sometimes moves can be very knacky and seem impossible to master, and if something isn’t working for you, just leave it for now. That’s okay – you won’t conquer Mount Everest on your first attempt!
9. Ask for help. If you’re getting stuck with learning something, don’t be afraid to ask for help. The best way to get help is to have another cardist walk you through a move in person. For most people that’s not realistic, so go ahead and post in a cardistry forum and ask for some tips. You’ll find that most cardists are only too happy to help others and give good advice.
10. Have fun. Cardistry is all about having fun with cards, so if you’re not having fun, move onto something else that you do enjoy.
Other Ideas
1. Learn the language. Cardistry does have its own language, although it’s something you’ll learn very quickly as you immerse yourself in cardistry tutorials and videos. Words like cuts and packets are ones you’ll pick up soon enough, whereas terms like poop deck and squids will be a little less obvious.
2. Use social media. Social media is one of the biggest ways that cardists connect in our digital age. Instagram is one of the top sites for cardists to share videos of moves. Following some of your favourite cardists can be a terrific way to keep yourself fresh, get new ideas, and see what others are doing. Lots of cardists also share their work on youtube, and several channels are especially dedicated to teaching tutorials and moves.
3. Join an online community. You’ll find plenty of places online where cardists hang out to exchange ideas, talk about their favourite decks, or share videos of their latest moves and accomplishments. A great place to start is the cardistry community over on Reddit, which has around 50,000 subscribers, and is growing rapidly.
About the writer: EndersGame is a well-known and highly respected reviewer of board games and playing cards. He loves card games, card magic, cardistry, and card collecting, and has reviewed several hundred boardgames and hundreds of different decks of playing cards. You can see a complete list of his game reviews here, and his playing card reviews here. He is considered an authority on playing cards and has written extensively about their design, history, and function, and has many contacts within the playing card and board game industries. You can view his previous articles about playing cards here. In his spare time he also volunteers with local youth to teach them the art of cardistry and card magic.
Every artist has a defining moment that sparks the beginning of a new journey. For WYRAINE, that moment came during their first year of college, when they were tasked with designing a deck of playing cards from scratch. This project not only exposed them to the world of card design but also planted the seeds for what would become Celestial Forms, the first deck in a new series of original playing cards.
Introducing Celestial Forms Playing Cards
Celestial Forms is the first deck of cards in a series designed by artist WYRAINE, featuring original illustrations for every suit, ace, joker, and court card. This deck is a reimagined version of a college project where WYRAINE was tasked with creating an entire deck of cards from scratch. It marks the beginning of a new series of unique playing cards that WYRAINE plans to develop in the future.
Inspiration for Celestial Forms
Inspired by a love for cards—whether playing cards, tarot, or collectible cards—WYRAINE was driven by the idea that cards are more than just functional objects. They are also pieces of art. This perspective heavily influenced the design process, along with the guidance of WYRAINE’s professor Doug, who played a pivotal role in shaping their approach to card design.
The design process for Celestial Forms involved traditional ink sketches, which were then digitized and refined using Clip Studio Paint. The combination of these traditional and digital techniques helped bring the deck’s intricate illustrations to life.
For WYRAINE, one of the most exciting parts of this project has been sharing the deck with others. They’ve enjoyed seeing how people react to the unique designs and how the deck has sparked conversations about the intersection of art and cards. Feedback from friends, family, and early supporters has been overwhelmingly positive.
Why WYRAINE Chose Shuffled Ink
WYRAINE chose Shuffled Ink as the manufacturer for Celestial Forms after years of following the company’s growth. After seeing their exceptional reputation and the quality of their work, WYRAINE decided that Shuffled Ink would be the perfect partner for bringing their designs to life. The finished cards met all expectations and are a true testament to the high standards of Shuffled Ink’s production.
A New Beginning: WYRAINE LLC
In addition to creating Celestial Forms, WYRAINE has recently started their own LLC under the name WYRAINE, marking the transition into full-time artistry. They are open to collaborating with others and providing artistic services to those in need.
In 2025, WYRAINE plans to officially launch their career as an independent artist, with the goal of making art their full-time profession. A Kickstarter campaign is in the works for the Celestial Forms deck, and WYRAINE hopes to use this platform to further expand their reach and offer limited rewards to backers.
For Edition, great design is about more than aesthetics—it’s about intention. Their latest project, a striking deck of Core Values cards, is a perfect reflection of that philosophy. Created for Wealth Architects’ annual summit, Wealth Architect University, the cards serve as a meaningful tool to help attendees align with what matters most.
Each year, Wealth Architect University explores a new theme centered around a different dimension of wealth—not just financial prosperity, but fulfillment, relationships, purpose, and beyond. These thoughtfully crafted Core Values cards were developed to help attendees clarify their personal values, ultimately guiding more aligned decisions in their careers, lives, and communities.
A Partnership Built on Trust and Vision
The deck itself was the result of a long-standing collaboration between Edition and Wealth Architects. Having worked together on multiple brand pieces over the years, Edition is deeply familiar with the Wealth Architects brand—a familiarity that proved essential in crafting something truly bespoke.
“Since we created their brand guidelines, it was a seamless experience to bring this concept to life,” Edition shared. “We were able to extend their brand elements—colors, imagery, typography—into something not only beautiful and cohesive, but useful.”
The design combines rich, color-treated nature imagery with a clean, polished layout that mirrors the clarity and serenity the cards are meant to inspire. Though the cards are not available for public purchase, their elegance and utility make them the kind of piece recipients want to keep and revisit long after the summit ends.
“They Were Over the Moon”
For Edition, the most rewarding moment came when the final product landed in the hands of their client.
“The reaction from Wealth Architects was incredible. They were over the moon seeing their vision come to life—and that’s what makes our work feel so fulfilling,” they said.
Why Did Edition Go With Shuffled Ink?
When it came time to manufacture the cards, Edition turned to Shuffled Ink after reading a slew of positive, authentic reviews.“We work with many vendors—print, web, digital—and have a very high bar. Shuffled Ink exceeded our expectations across the board. The quality, service, and turnaround time were all top-tier.”
Advice from the Studio
For fellow designers or anyone looking to bring a card deck to life, Edition offered this sage advice: “Cards are inherently visual, so they should look good—but they should also be clear, functional, and cohesive. Don’t sacrifice usability for design, or vice versa. A successful design seamlessly marries form and function.”
With 2025 on the horizon, Edition is focused on continuing to support their clients’ success through smart, beautiful design. And if more card decks are in the future? They’ll know exactly who to call.
There are many ways to shift our lives—through therapy, meditation, knowledge, or energy work. But have you ever considered movement as a portal for transformation? Enter the Hoop Dance Activation Oracle Deck, a beautifully designed tool that combines intention and movement to infuse new energies into the Auric Field.
The Inspiration Behind the Hoop Dance Oracle Deck
This project started as a simple way to learn the names of hula hoop tricks, but it quickly evolved into something much more powerful. When friends expressed interest in the cards, creator Patricia Laufer decided to print them as gifts. However, as she worked on the designs, the project transformed into an oracle deck—one filled with unique energies and the faces of those who inspired them.
Now, the deck consists of 84 different cards across two editions: the OG deck (57 cards) and the NextLevel add-on deck (27 cards). Each card features a magical human embodying a specific energy they wish to call into their lives. As users dance or move with a card, they are not only drawing that energy into their own Auric Field but also sending it to the person featured on the card—creating a dynamic, reciprocal flow of intention and empowerment.
Bringing the Deck to Life
The creation process was a true community effort. Each person featured on a card selected a word that represented the energy they wanted to call in, along with an image that resonated with them. Patricia then used Canva to design each card, sometimes adding creative elements to enhance the energy of the image. The result? A visually engaging, deeply meaningful oracle deck that merges movement, intention, and connection.
The deck doesn’t stop at the cards—it also extends into the digital realm with a corresponding YouTube channel. There, users can find a welcome video explaining the deck, as well as 3-5 minute channeled messages about the energy of each card. The videos, organized alphabetically in the Hoop Dance Activation Playlist, provide an additional layer of guidance and insight for those working with the deck.
For quick tips, fun facts, and community updates, you can also follow @hoopdanceactivation on Instagram.
A Magical Auric Moment
One of the most powerful experiences with the deck occurred during a ceremony Patricia led last spring. Before using the cards, she asked each participant to feel into a word they wanted to call into their lives. After sharing their words, they each pulled a card. The first participant drew a card that matched the exact word they had chosen: EASE. It was a stunning confirmation of the deck’s magic in action!
Overcoming Challenges
Despite the beauty of the final product, Patricia faced doubts along the way—fears that the project was too big, worries about navigating technology, and concerns about getting everything right. However, with the support of her project manager, Skylar, and design team, she pushed through. This partnership has been crucial in bringing the Hoop Dance Activation Oracle Deck to life, reinforcing Laufer’s motto: “Go BEYOND! Go beyond what you think you can do and where you think you can go! And remember, it can all be easeful!”
Why Shuffled Ink?
When choosing a manufacturer, Patricia sought a company that provided real human connection. She was drawn to Shuffled Ink because they were US-based and actually had a phone number to call—a rare and invaluable feature for a first-time card creator. Throughout the process, she has been beyond pleased with the quality, communication, and partnership she has found with Shuffled Ink.
“I love the quality of my cards AND that I can communicate with my project manager and the designer during the process! It’s an incredible partnership that I am grateful for. I get to do what I’m good at, and you all do what you are good at!” Laufer shares.
What’s Next?
For 2025, Patricia plans to continue sharing her magic with the world—and she’s already off to an amazing start! In addition to selling both decks through her website PatriciaLaufer.com, she hopes to update her website and keep expanding her community of hoop dancers, oracle deck lovers, and energy enthusiasts.
If you’re looking for a way to bring joy, movement, and energetic alignment into your life, the Hoop Dance Activation Oracle Deck is a must-have tool. Whether you’re dancing with intention, pulling a card for insight, or sending energy to others, this deck is an invitation to play, move, and manifest with ease.
Silly Gillee® isn’t just a fun card game for children ages three to ten—it’s also a tool for fostering communication and emotional expression. Created in loving memory of Gilbert Lee Johnson, the game is designed to encourage children to share their thoughts and feelings, opening the door to meaningful conversations.
While many of the 160 open-ended questions in the deck are lighthearted and playful, some gently encourage children to express emotions—happy, sad, scared, or mad—giving parents and caregivers a chance to engage and understand their child’s experiences on a deeper level.
The game was inspired by the painful reality that Gilbert faced as a child, suffering in silence from abuse. Had someone playfully asked him similar questions when he was young, his story may have taken a different path. Silly Gillee® was created with the hope that it can help protect and support children by making open communication a natural and fun experience.
From a Research Project to a Game That Could Save Lives
Silly Gillee® was born out of research for the book Wounded Wings: One Man’s Secret Struggle, a deeply personal story that sheds light on childhood trauma. In the process, author Jeanne Donovan studied Kenneth V. Lanning’s Child Molesters: A Behavioral Analysis, which outlines the tactics predators use to manipulate children. With this knowledge, she designed Silly Gillee® to be both an entertaining game and a subtle way to identify when something might be wrong.
The ultimate goal? To help children find their voices and, in doing so, protect them from harm. If Silly Gillee® saves even one child, it will have fulfilled its purpose.
Bringing Silly Gillee® to Life
The creation of Silly Gillee® was both a labor of love and a learning experience. Jeanne Donovan used Pages on her Mac to design the cards, incorporating a charming cartoon illustration from VectorStock.com to make the game visually engaging for children.
When Jeanne introduced the game to her nearly four-year-old granddaughter, the excitement was undeniable. Watching her eyes light up as she answered questions, made up stories, and took turns handling the glossy deck confirmed that Silly Gillee® had the power to spark creativity and meaningful interactions.
Challenges & Lessons Learned
Like any creative endeavor, the process came with challenges. The biggest obstacle? Overcomplicating the rules. Moving forward, Jeanne plans to simplify future instructions to make the game as easy and accessible as possible for parents and children alike.
Her advice to new card creators and designers: Dream big and follow your creative instincts.
Where to Buy & What’s Next
Silly Gillee® is available now atsillygillee.etsy.com, with orders shipping out promptly. The game is also featured as a Helpful Resource in Wounded Wings: One Man’s Secret Struggle.
Looking ahead to 2025, Jeanne plans to spread the word about Silly Gillee® through her Facebook page,Jeanne Donovan – Author, and continue raising awareness about the importance of communication in childhood development.
Why Shuffled Ink?
When it came time to bring Silly Gillee® to life, Jeanne chose Shuffled Ink as her manufacturer, citing their professional website and high-quality production. The end result? A beautifully printed deck that children love to handle and play with.
A Game That’s More Than Just Fun
Silly Gillee® is more than just a silly card game—it’s an opportunity to open up conversations, build trust, and potentially protect children from harm. Whether played in a group or one-on-one, it encourages kids to express themselves in a way that’s fun, safe, and engaging.
Because sometimes, all it takes is a simple question to change a life.
The Ultimate Design Conference Experience in Minnesota
Since 1980, Design Camp® has been a staple in the creative world, setting the standard for design conferences nationwide. Held annually in Minnesota, this one-of-a-kind event provides a space where designers can gather, learn, and connect in a truly inspiring environment.
Why Designers Love Design Camp®
What makes Design Camp® so special? It’s more than just another conference; it’s an immersive experience where campers get the chance to hear from design legends, participate in hands-on workshops led by the industry’s best, and engage in social events that foster deep connections with peers and icons alike.
As one of the last truly unique creative conferences, Design Camp® has remained true to its original vision. Back in 1980, it was designed as a retreat—a chance for graphic designers to step away from their studios and gain a deeper understanding of the successes, goals, and challenges faced by their fellow creatives. Decades later, it continues to provide that same enriching experience.
Design Camp® 2024: Bringing the Creative Community Together
The 2024 edition of Design Camp®, hosted in Minneapolis, carried forward this legacy while embracing new opportunities to rebuild and strengthen the Minnesota creative community. In a world still finding its footing after the challenges of the pandemic, this gathering served as a much-needed space for inspiration, growth, and collaboration among designers from all backgrounds.
Custom Playing Cards: A Unique Touch for Keynote Speakers
A special highlight of this year’s camp was the stunning custom playing cards, designed by Magenta Creative, that we were honored to present to our presenters and volunteers. Crafted with 300gsm premium smooth finish cardstock and packaged in a custom-printed tuck box, these cards weren’t just gifts; they were a meaningful token of appreciation. They also played a role in fundraising for our chapter, helping to support future creative initiatives.
From inspiring keynotes to engaging workshops, Design Camp® remains a beacon for creatives seeking innovation, camaraderie, and a breath of fresh air away from their daily routines. Here’s to many more years of design, inspiration, and community!
Most people would only know that my father, Arnold Schoenberg was a composer, painter, teacher and theoretician. But he also had many hobbies including designing playing cards. And I always wanted to produce copies of his designs that could actually be used for playing. It was my intention to demonstrate the much less serious side of his creativity, something that a family could easily enjoy. Unfortunately, we were among the victims of the Palisades fire and lost our home and our home-based business which included our complete inventory of the playing cards.
We wrote all of the music printers, music publishers and, of course Shuffled Ink to inquire about ordering replacements. To our astonishment Shuffled Ink responded immediately by producing and sending us copies of our last order at no charge. We are so grateful for their amazingly generous response.
Learn More About Larry Schoenberg and the Palisades Fire
At Texas A&M University, school spirit runs deep, traditions are cherished, and giving back is second nature. That’s why five students from the Master’s in Business Program took these values to heart when creating Aggieland Aces Playing Card Co.—a project that combines their Aggie pride with a mission to make a meaningful impact on the local community.
This unique initiative isn’t just about designing a custom deck of cards; it’s about creating something that represents Texas A&M traditions while directly supporting a cause close to their hearts: the Aggieland Humane Society.
Cards That Make a Difference
Aggieland Aces isn’t just a business—it’s a heartfelt way to give back. Every deck sold helps fund the rescue, care, and reho
orting a mission of compassion and care,” says one of the founders. “Every card played represents a step toward giving animals a second chance at life.”
ming efforts of the Aggieland Humane Society. By donating 100% of their profits, these students are transforming game nights into opportunities to help animals in need. From essential medical care to forever homes, the Aggieland Humane Society’s mission resonates deeply with the team behind Aggieland Aces.
“When you purchase a deck of Aggieland Aces playing cards, you’re not just showing off your Aggie pride—you’re suppThe Heart Behind the Deck
The Aggieland Aces deck is a love letter to Texas A&M. Its design incorporates iconic Aggie traditions, such as Kyle Field and the beloved Yell Leaders. The team even gave the red suits a personal touch by using the signature Aggie Maroon color.
Each image was hand-drawn digitally, inspired by the Texas A&M brand and personal photos shared by the creators. The Joker, humorously portrayed as a Longhorn—the mascot of rival University of Texas—adds a touch of playful rivalry that Aggies instantly recognize and love.
When showcasing the deck to other students, the creators often hear how “cute and creative” the designs are. The overwhelming positive feedback is a testament to how deeply the deck resonates with the Aggie community.
Challenges Turned Opportunities
Launching a business while managing a full course load is no small feat, but the Aggieland Aces team tackled every challenge head-on. From perfecting their designs to ensuring timely production and delivery, they credit their determination and teamwork for overcoming obstacles along the way.
And when it came to selecting a manufacturer, the team’s choice of Shuffled Ink proved to be a perfect fit. “Shuffled Ink gave us rapid, helpful responses and reasonable pricing for bulk orders. The quality of the 310 gsm linen finish cards is outstanding, and our customers love them!”
Aggieland Aces: Where the Aggie Spirit Lives in Every Hand
The team’s motto, “Where the Aggie spirit lives in every hand,” perfectly captures the heart of this project. Every shuffle, every deal, and every game played with Aggieland Aces cards brings the Aggie spirit to life while contributing to a brighter future for animals in need.
Aggieland Aces is proof that when passion meets purpose, amazing things can happen. Whether you’re a proud Aggie, a lover of tradition, or someone who wants to support animals in need, this deck of cards is more than just a game—it’s a way to create a lasting legacy of love, care, and community.
What’s Happened for Aggieland Aces?
Aggieland Aces had big goals for 2024. With a target of selling 750 decks by the end of December, they aimed to donate over $4,000 to the Aggieland Humane Society. Their success so far has fueled their ambition to make an even greater impact in the Bryan-College Station community.
The result? They ended up selling double their projections, which was 1,000 decks total, and raised over $8,000 for the Aggieland Humane Society by selling the playing cards! A wonderful and meaningful end to a powerful cause.
Learn more about the Aggieland Humane Society by visiting their page!
At Champlain College, education goes beyond traditional lectures and textbooks. Through the Embedding the College Competencies grant, funded by the Davis Educational Foundation, Champlain College is fostering a dynamic learning experience that equips students with 12 essential skills—including Collaboration, Creativity, and Communication. To make these competencies more accessible and engaging, a team of students has developed an innovative deck of competency-based cards. Manufactured by Shuffled Ink, this unique project is bringing education to life in a fun and interactive way.
For Edition, great design is about more than aesthetics—it’s about intention. Their latest project, a striking deck of Core Values cards, is a perfect reflection of that philosophy. Created for Wealth Architects’ annual summit, 
