General info:

I’m a juggler and magician who performs original routines at various types of events, and I’m looking for a poster that will be used to promote my brand and show, and can also be a gift / souvenir for folks who come to see my performances.

I’d like this poster to be inspired by vintage magic and circus posters, like Kellar, Thurston, Carter, Barnum & Bailey, and others from the early 1900s era. Although it should fall in line with that tradition, I’m performing in this century, and it can certainly have modern touches—no need to be a purist about the time period / vintage style. Also, some of these posters tended to be pretty complex and busy. For me, it’s fine for this to be a little more minimal, without so many subjects and complicated elements.

I’ve provided lots of elements to help communicate the vision I have in mind, but I’ve seen your work and trust your artistic direction. Although I think many of the guidelines below would help guide this poster into what would be ideal, don’t feel like these are strict rules that must be followed. Defy my guidance if you feel it’s needed, or feel free to send questions—I’m happy to be collaborative.


Dimensions:

The main poster should be 11x17, but I’d like for it to be adapted to a 3x5 size, so I could also use the design on postcards.

I’m hoping the poster will have a blank space at the bottom for adding show details when needed (maybe blank, or maybe a banner similar to the Barnum & Bailey poster I sent). If it makes the double-dimension request easier, it could be that the design is the same and the blank spot is tacked onto the 11x17 to make up the difference.

If the PSD file has all the elements and layers, I can rearrange to different sizes on my own after delivery.


Composition:

The lettering of “Blayk Puckett” should run across the top of the poster, bigger on the left and smaller as it moves to the right (Blayk should be bigger than Puckett). I’m thinking all caps would look best, but I could be persuaded.

A full body (or at least mostly full body) illustration of Blayk is in the center, smiling and either looking toward the viewer at eye level or looking up slightly at some of the props in the air. Perhaps there’s an upward perspective, with props flying up toward the viewer in a 3 dimensional way.

I think the background should be either an off-white/beige color, or maybe a light gray. I’d also love an option where the background is transparent (maybe available in the PSD file), for easy printing on various backgrounds.


Details:

I’d like the illustrated Blayk figure to be wearing a classic tuxedo or vest that matches those seen in the old vintage magic posters, with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows. Please add some rhinestones to the jacket or vest’s lapel / trim, as well as a sparkly, rhinestone bowtie. The dress colors here are white and black, and if any color is added, it should be blue. Reference photos of Blayk juggling and smiling can be found in the photo grid below. Let me know if more would be helpful, or if you have specific requests for photos/poses.

I think the main color scheme for this poster would be dark blue, rich red, and some yellow for accents.

There are five (pretty simple) props that should be integrated into the main design. Each prop is pictured in the reference photos at the bottom of this section—let me know if you need more images of any. The props should be thrown in the air around the Blayk figure, or arranged around the performer’s body in the following way:

  • Circus clubs (2-3): thrown in the air

  • Tennis balls (2-3) in the air, same side as circus clubs

  • Hoop & Glass (1): thrown, opposite side of clubs and balls

  • Candlestick (1): balanced on outstretched index finger opposite of clubs/balls, with a handkerchief draped over the wrist

  • Cigar boxes (3): stacked and balanced on the tip of one foot, probably same side as clubs and balls

The classic devil imp famous on vintage magic posters should make an appearance, possibly around the leg opposite of the cigar box balance. To balance out the devil imp, I’d like to add a similar-styled angel imp (maybe a different color and with a halo). The devil imp should be antagonizing the angel with a knife, who is defending himself with a lemon.

These are not necessary, but if any background or stage elements are in your design, they should be:

  • A dark blue curtain you’d see in a nice theater

  • A wooden stool

  • A microphone on a mic stand


Bonus points:

There are several references from my signature routines I think would be cool to work into the details. Please work in as many as seems reasonable, without overcomplicating the design.

The easiest to implement I think is a simple outline around the edge of the poster that is designed to look like a blue rope—somewhere along this perimeter, there should be a visible knot tied in the rope.

Playing cards—if they’re added, the Jack of Clubs should be visible, along with a few blank cards that contain simple but specific drawings (see below).

Additional props that could be added as optional background elements if it fits the design:

  • Juggling club puppet (see photo here)

  • Jones soda bottle (blue), or even just a Jones bottlecap

  • American coin(s): Silver Morgan dollar

  • White dove

  • Single red casino die

In addition to the name, which should be most prominent, if it’s possible to have “juggler & magician” or even a quote (“an absolute delight!”) worked into the design as an optional element, I’d love the flexibility of having that alternate design. If only one version is possible, just the name is what I’d prefer.

Basic layout I have in mind.

I’m clearly not much of an illustrator, but here’s a rough sketch of the layout in my mind.