A Message from the Director
A Message from the Director
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photo by Charisma Nguyen-Lai
Welcome to the Boston University Magic Workshop. This program is the culmination of my two passions: mechanical engineering and the art of illusion.
I founded this specialized capstone track and graduate independent study program because I saw a unique educational opportunity. Building magic requires engineering at its highest level—it must be robust, reliable, and completely invisible.
I believe that when we challenge our engineers to build the 'impossible,' we force them to innovate, think creatively about user experience, and master complex mechatronics hidden behind a seamless facade.
Engineering Beyond the Syllabus
Engineering Beyond the Syllabus
The BU Magic Workshop isn’t just about making props; it’s about designing for the extreme. A traditional engineering prompt might require designing for durability, but a magician client requires designing for durability, absolute silence, instant actuation, and complete concealment.
When a mechanism is the secret to an illusion, it cannot fail during a live performance. There are no do-overs. Our engineers learn to embrace this high-stakes environment, resulting in meticulous design verification and robust, stage-ready fabrication.
Your Capstone, Reimagined
Your Capstone, Reimagined
If selected for the Magic Workshop, you will spend your entire senior year (ME460/461) as a member of a specialized, small-team cohort. You will move beyond hypothetical scenarios and work directly with a performing magician as your client. Your success isn't just measured by a grade, but by the performance and reliability of your final build on a professional stage.
Are You Ready to Build Magic?
Are You Ready to Build Magic?
We aren’t just looking for top grades. We need creative problem-solvers who are willing to prototype aggressively, collaborate closely with artistic clients, and iterate until the mechanism is seamless. The ideal team will have a mix of advanced CAD skills, experience in fabrication (machining and 3D printing), and a passion for mechatronics and control loops.
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