An animated gif of the cover of a brochure for the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's "Magic of Music" fundraising event, designed by Carolyn Porter of Porterfolio, Inc. The animation toggles between the words "Magic" and "Music" and the hands alternate between holding a magician's wand and a conductor's baton.

“Magic of Music” Fundraising Event Materials

A collage of materials from the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's "Magic of Music" fundraising event, designed by Carolyn Porter of Porterfolio, Inc.

Renowned for artistic excellence, versatility of musical styles and adventurous programming, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is widely regarded as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world. Each spring (prior to COVID), the Orchestra held a black-tie fundraising gala. The year’s theme: magic.

Carolyn began by interviewing a local magician. She used what she learned to develop a lively design solution that was applied to all event materials. The primary visual was a magicians’s wand that — through the magic of a lenticular — morphed into a conductor’s baton.

Event materials were printed in two colors to economize on print expenses. Materials included pre-event awareness materials, the event invitation package, the evening’s program — which even included directions for a magic trick attendees could attempt using their dinner napkin, a salt shaker and a coin — menu, auction catalog cover and event signage.

Click to see another project Carolyn designed for the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.