Synesthesia Tarot Deck

The Synesthesia Tarot is a 78-card deck created by Jana Walker, designed to offer a modern and unique interpretation of the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) system. The deck aims for broad accessibility, serving as both an introductory tool for new users and a companion deck for experienced readers. Its design philosophy centers on stripping away excessive illustration to create clean, simple line drawings that retain the core meanings of traditional tarot while presenting them in a contemporary aesthetic.

The deck comprises 22 Major Arcana cards, which are rendered in a stark black and white palette, and 56 Minor Arcana cards. The Minor Arcana suits — Cups, Wands, Swords, and Pentacles — each feature a distinct splash of color to represent their associated element: blue for Cups (water/emotions), red for Wands (fire/strength), purple for Swords (air/change), and green for Pentacles (earth/earthly possessions). This color-coding provides an intuitive visual cue for the elemental energies of each suit.

Physically, the cards are standard tarot size (2.75 x 4.75 inches) and printed on 350gsm art paper with matte lamination. The successful Kickstarter campaign enabled several upgrades, including a sturdy magnetic closure box with silver foiling and silver foiling on the card edges, enhancing the deck's premium feel and durability. The deck was created using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, reflecting its digital art origins.

This deck is ideal for tarot beginners seeking an accessible entry point into the RWS system, as its simplified imagery and color-coded suits make meanings easier to grasp. It also appeals to experienced readers looking for a minimalist, modern companion deck or a visually distinct 'statement piece.' Individuals who appreciate clean design, digital art, and a contemporary aesthetic will find this deck particularly appealing.

Jana Walker created the Synesthesia Tarot deck from a desire to fuse her love for design and tarot. She aimed to produce a modern and unique deck that anyone could connect to, by stripping away heavy illustrations in favor of clean, simple line drawings. Her process involved digital illustration using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, allowing for a precise and contemporary aesthetic. The successful Kickstarter campaign, which raised over $18,000, enabled her to significantly upgrade the production quality of the deck and its packaging.