The Story
Inspired by the works of early Renaissance Flemish artist Jan van Eyck, The Haptic Tarot dives into the secrets of the cards, where hands play a central role in expressing their unique language. This deck skillfully guides seekers through a tactile journey of self-discovery, inviting them to unveil profound connections with a harmonious blend of art and technology to fully activate intuition.
The Haptic Tarot is the culmination of my passion for art history and design theory. By utilizing the incredibly powerful and often surprising results of generative AI, I have infused each card with select details from my knowledge and practice, creating a deck that calls users to explore the fascinating interplay between symbolism and sensation. The Haptic Tarot celebrates the fusion of tradition and innovation, offering an experience for those ready to embark on a journey of self-reflection and discovery.
The Deck
As a designer and artist, I have always dreamt of creating my own Tarot deck—one that not only captured my passion for art history but also expressed my fascination with symbology and the profound impact images have on us as humans. However, despite my love of early Renaissance painting, particularly that of the Dutch masters from the early 1400s, I struggled to manifest the vivid images in my mind onto a canvas.
The rise of generative AI prominence is a hard topic to ignore, especially as a San Francisco/Bay Area resident. Discussions regarding its positive, altruistic applications and negative, potentially dystopian implications became prevalent in my day-to-day. However, that didn’t stop me from tinkering around with the tools available to make my dream a reality.
The Haptic Tarot’s inception started in December of 2022 as I experimented with different AI platforms, prompts, visual styles, and my own image manipulation techniques. As I worked with the technology I found that the less detail that was given, the images produced were more closely aligned to what I saw in my imagination. It wasn’t until a full year later that I was able to finally bring this vision into focus, creating the decadent images that make up the 78 cards of this deck.
The Artwork
The artwork itself pays homage to the early history of the Tarot. Although not of Italian descent—the understood homeland of the original Tarot (or tarocchi)—van Eyck’s inclusion of iconographic elements is similar to that of the artist(s) responsible for the earliest deck. These icons and symbols often conveyed what he saw as a co-existence of the spiritual and material worlds.
In a world increasingly defined by digital interactions, the deck invites users to engage with the haptic sensations of the cards, tapping into their tactile feedback as a means of connection. By excluding faces and choosing to focus on hands, the cards encourage users to let their intuition wander. Though they possess objective meanings intertwined, the artwork enables readers to formulate their own interpretations, fostering a more personal connection with Tarot symbolism.
The Major Arcana
The Minor Arcana
The Suit of Cups
The Suit of Swords
The Suit of Wands
The Suit of Pentacles
The Details
Here are some exciting details about The Haptic Tarot’s production and quality:
78 original cards
Each card measures 3.5”x5” (88x126mm)
Printed on premium quality 330gsm black core cardstock with a smooth matte finish
36-page guidebook with card meanings and spreads
Premium quality 2-part box with anti-scratch matte finish (mock-up may slightly vary from actual box)
The Launch
The Haptic Tarot launched on March 13th, 2024, and was fulfilled in just over 3 hours. With the goal reaching over 300% the decks will begin to ship out in mid to late-summer.
The Album
While working on The Haptic Tarot and all its elements, I collected tunes, songs, and melodies that I felt paired well with the deck. Simultaneously, there were a few songs that helped inspire the deck's creation.
To add another layer to the card experience, I created an album of these songs that both serve as inspiration and were inspired by The Haptic Tarot.
Thank You
The realization of The Haptic Tarot would not be possible without both your generous financial support and the wonderful words of encouragement. When I began teasing images of the initial artwork online, I had no idea that it would generate such interest and excitement. My hope is that as this deck ventures into the world, Tarot readers and enthusiasts at every level can amplify their intuitions, forming new and unique connections with the cards.
Your support has been invaluable, and I am immensely grateful for the community that has embraced The Haptic Tarot with open hearts and minds.
Much love,
Nick
