Andrew Evans: Design & magic 🪄
Design Better
Unveiling the Roots of a Magical Journey
This chapter explores the speaker's early influences and interests that ignited their passion for magic. Through nostalgic anecdotes of childhood experiences and a reflection on ADHD, the speaker sheds light on their journey into the world of performance.
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.
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.
Watch the video version of this episode on our Substack: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/andrew-evans
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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