Q: Could you make some tutorials?
A: Yes, I could. But I won't. These types of cards are sort of a "puzzle" and are best appreciated when figured out. Most of them are not that difficult - you just need to make the effort to try.
A: Yes, I could. But I won't. These types of cards are sort of a "puzzle" and are best appreciated when figured out. Most of them are not that difficult - you just need to make the effort to try.
Q: But how can I make these?
A: The cut template is pretty much posted right there for you. I started out by trying to replicate designs I'd found online and I didn't have the luxury of all the great high-resolution straight-on photos that I have shared here.
A: The cut template is pretty much posted right there for you. I started out by trying to replicate designs I'd found online and I didn't have the luxury of all the great high-resolution straight-on photos that I have shared here.
Q: How do you get such clean cuts?
A: I draw all my designs digitally in Adobe Illustrator and then size them for cards, print the template, tape it to the card, and then cut along the lines. To figure out a new design, I’ll often print on regular printer paper at full 8.5”x11” size so that I have a larger and more flexible piece of paper to play with the folds. This is sometimes helpful in figuring out how to achieve the “impossible” folds.
A: I draw all my designs digitally in Adobe Illustrator and then size them for cards, print the template, tape it to the card, and then cut along the lines. To figure out a new design, I’ll often print on regular printer paper at full 8.5”x11” size so that I have a larger and more flexible piece of paper to play with the folds. This is sometimes helpful in figuring out how to achieve the “impossible” folds.
Q: How did you learn?
A: I discovered all I that know just from looking at puzzles that I was able to find pictures of on the internet and then “figuring it out” through trial and error. It’s fairly easy to see where the cuts need to go to get cards ready for folding - but to get the directions and crossings of the folds to match correctly can take a bit of tinkering and experimentation.
I think the purest joy comes from figuring out the basics yourself, but I leave it up to you if you want to “cheat”.
A: I discovered all I that know just from looking at puzzles that I was able to find pictures of on the internet and then “figuring it out” through trial and error. It’s fairly easy to see where the cuts need to go to get cards ready for folding - but to get the directions and crossings of the folds to match correctly can take a bit of tinkering and experimentation.
I think the purest joy comes from figuring out the basics yourself, but I leave it up to you if you want to “cheat”.
Q: That's noble, but... um... is there anywhere where I can just have someone show me how?
A: Yes, I will tell you that there are some videos & templates out there for purchase on lybrary.com put out by a German magician. He and I used to be friendly but he was more interested in turning a profit than appreciating the cards for what they are, which are puzzles. At one point we had exchanged designs and I had digitized some patterns for him as a favor for him showing me some unique designs out of his collection that I had not seen before. Unfortunately, he then decided to package and sell my PDFs and sell them as his own for profit.
So, if you do decide to explore the lybrary.com offerings, please don’t buy his PDFs bundle. If you reach out to me, I can give you some of them for free rather than letting him profit off of my work. I'm not in this for the money. But I might ask you to "prove your worth" first :-D
A: Yes, I will tell you that there are some videos & templates out there for purchase on lybrary.com put out by a German magician. He and I used to be friendly but he was more interested in turning a profit than appreciating the cards for what they are, which are puzzles. At one point we had exchanged designs and I had digitized some patterns for him as a favor for him showing me some unique designs out of his collection that I had not seen before. Unfortunately, he then decided to package and sell my PDFs and sell them as his own for profit.
So, if you do decide to explore the lybrary.com offerings, please don’t buy his PDFs bundle. If you reach out to me, I can give you some of them for free rather than letting him profit off of my work. I'm not in this for the money. But I might ask you to "prove your worth" first :-D
Q: Are there other people who make these?
A: Of course. I didn't invent this art form, I just really enjoy tinkering in it. See links for a listing of people and websites to check out. I'm sure there are more that I haven't found yet.
A: Of course. I didn't invent this art form, I just really enjoy tinkering in it. See links for a listing of people and websites to check out. I'm sure there are more that I haven't found yet.
Q: Can I show you my attempts and ask for help?
A: Yes! If you try making your own, I would love to see your attempts. Share them on social media with me or send me an email. I'm willing to give you hints or guidance along the way, if you need it and can prove your worth.
If you have more questions, feel free to ask.
A: Yes! If you try making your own, I would love to see your attempts. Share them on social media with me or send me an email. I'm willing to give you hints or guidance along the way, if you need it and can prove your worth.
If you have more questions, feel free to ask.