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Andrew Evans: Design & magic 🪄
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Andrew Evans: Design & magic 🪄

Episode 117 of the Design Better Podcast

One of Aarron’s first jobs as a kid was performing magic shows, and it taught him a surprising amount about creativity. Magic is, at its core, the art of storytelling. It’s about directing attention, making people question assumptions, and blending creativity with technology to change how we see the world. That’s why it’s no surprise that Andrew Evans, founder of the Magic Patio, draws on his training from Stanford’s d.school to craft truly mesmerizing experiences. 

Watch the full interview with Andrew Evans above.

We dive into Andrew’s journey, from his childhood dream of designing roller coasters, to creating treehouses, working at IDEO and Nike, and eventually launching a magic show in his own backyard. We also explore how he’s honed the art of engaging an audience, and we share tips on how to craft presentations that pull people in and make them feel part of the experience.

Bio

Andrew Evans is founder and magician at The Magic Patio, a uniquely San Francisco magic experience. After entering what appears to be a strange library/candy store on Mission Street, guests discover the hidden wonders of a hand-crafted, secret magic theater with one-of-a-kind magic performances.

More than designing and performing magic, my passion is creating unexpected experiences that transport people into new worlds and shift their perspective on what they perceive to be impossible.

Think Urban Disneyland rather than David Copperfield. A trip to The Magic Patio will fill you with inspiration and wonder as you witness unexplainable feats in an intimate setting.

Buy tickets to The Magic Patio


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Design Thinking + AI Workshops: We’ve been continuing to run our AI + Design Thinking workshops, including for Fortune 100 companies that are developing some of these technologies. Participants love the chance to play and experiment with some of these tools, and we have an additional public session coming in mid-November.

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Adobe’s In the Making: As a Design Better listener, we have another podcast we think you’ll enjoy. Adobe’s In the Making hosted by Teresa Au takes an honest look at the challenges and rewards of being part of the creator economy. Building a business around your creative pursuits ain’t easy. Wouldn’t it be great to learn from those who have done this before?  Check out In the Making from Adobe to learn more about how to build a creative career and life. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

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Design Better
Design Better
Design Better co-hosts Eli Woolery and Aarron Walter explore the intersection of design, technology, and the creative process through conversations with inspiring guests across many creative fields. Whether you’re design curious or a design pro, Design Better is guaranteed to inspire and inform. Episodes are released semi-weekly for free subscribers, weekly for premium subscribers. Vanity Fair calls Design Better, “sharp, to the point, and full of incredibly valuable information for anyone looking to better understand how to build a more innovative world.”