How Our Call For Artists Works

Every 78 Tarot deck begins with 78 empty slots and a global call for artists.

When we announce a new deck theme, artists from around the world submit their portfolios and applications. We review hundreds of submissions per deck, looking for a combination of technical skill, stylistic originality, and the particular X-factor that makes an artist right for a specific card.

What we look for

We want diversity — not just of geography and culture, but of artistic voice and approach. A 78-card collaborative deck should contain watercolor and digital art, Western and Eastern traditions, established professionals and rising talents. The magic of the collaboration depends on genuine variety.

We also look for artists who can work within the tarot tradition while bringing something genuinely their own to it. We don't want 78 versions of the same aesthetic — we want 78 genuine artistic perspectives converging on a shared structure.

Card assignments

Once artists are selected, we assign each artist a specific card. We try to match cards to artists based on their portfolio — certain cards seem to call to certain sensibilities — while also ensuring we are building a complete, coherent deck.

The creative process

Artists receive their assignment, the deck theme, and our color guidelines. Beyond that, interpretation is entirely their own. How an artist approaches the Ten of Swords or the Six of Cups or The Empress is up to them. Some do extensive research. Some work from immediate intuition. The range of approaches is part of what gives the final deck its richness.

Card meanings

All card meanings for 78 Tarot decks are written by our co-author Trish Sullivan, who brings her deep knowledge of tarot tradition and her gift for accessible, resonant writing to every deck.

Interested in applying for a future deck? Watch our newsletter and social channels for the next call. We look forward to seeing your work.