The Real Story
I’ve been into tarot for a few years—not in a “I do this professionally” way, but in a “I find the symbolism fascinating and the readings surprisingly useful” way. I’m that person who has a few decks, pulls cards when something feels off, and genuinely appreciates what tarot offers as a reflection tool.
But honestly? This project started because I wanted to see if I could bring tarot cards to life through animation.
The Experiment
I kept seeing AI-generated art everywhere, and most of it felt… random. Pretty, sometimes, but without intention. So I thought: what if I used it deliberately? What if I designed cards with specific symbolism, then used AI to help animate them—to add that extra layer of movement that makes the archetypes feel more alive?
Tarot felt like the perfect canvas. These cards have always been about contemplation and revelation. Animation could enhance that—the way Justice’s scales might balance, how the Hermit’s lantern glows, the subtle movement that draws you deeper into the card’s meaning.
How It’s Made
Every card starts with intentional design choices—the composition, the symbolism, what each element represents. Then I work with AI tools to iterate on the visuals and create the animations. It’s a collaboration: I direct, the AI executes, and I refine until it actually captures what the card is supposed to convey.
The key is that I’m making choices based on understanding tarot. Does this actually represent the Hermit’s introspection? Is Justice balanced in the right way? Does the animation serve the card’s meaning or just distract from it?
The AI is a powerful tool, but it still needs someone who knows what they’re looking at. The vision, the symbolic choices, the “does this actually work as a tarot card” judgment—that’s all human.
Why I’m Sharing This
I made enough cards that I started wondering: would other people actually want this?
Not as some AI novelty, but as a deck they’d use—one where the animations add something meaningful to the reading experience. So I’m putting it out there to see if it resonates. If you’re someone who appreciates tarot, likes clean modern design, and is curious about what animation could bring to the cards—this might be for you.
The Honest Part
I’m still working on the full 78 cards. Some are done and I’m really happy with them. Others need more work. I’m not trying to rush this or oversell it—I’m genuinely curious if there’s interest before I invest more time and money into production.
If you like what you see and you’d actually use a deck like this, let me know. That’s really what this MVP is about: figuring out if this thing I made—partly as an experiment, partly out of genuine love for tarot—might be something other people want too.
Pessimistic Tarot 