This list is by no means complete, but here are some of the major players in this illusion creation/building business. It is meant only to serve as a guide for our members to better understand what roles are involved from start to finish for the creation of a new illusion and to provide some real-life examples of individuals involved in that process.
________________________________________
Jim Steinmeyer: designer and consultant. He typically does not build props.
David Starr: designer and art director.
Ryan Reed: designer, consultant, art director. He typically does not build props.
Mark Parker: designer and consultant.
Andre Kole: designer and performer. He designs his own illusions and is extremely select about releasing a very few of those designs for other magicians to have built by builders of his choosing.
John Taylor: designer and performer. He designs some of his own illusions and markets some of those through builders he selects (e.g. Suspended Animation through Bill Smith)
John Gaughan: builder. He also collaborates on designs with other designers and can act as consultant to develop a clients idea into an illusion (this is the case with most builders)
William Kennedy: builder
Bill Smith: builder
Daniel Summers: designer and builder. He mostly builds his own designs. He also allows some other builders to build his designs.
Craig Dickens: designer and builder. He mainly builds other designs but also designs some of his own illusions (which he also builds). He may also work as a consultant.
EDF Magic (Eric Olsen and John Uherne): builders. Used to be the main two “shop guys” for John Gaughan and are now on their own.
Tim Clothier: designer and consultant but primarily a builder. Provided limited licensing of some of his own designs for other builders.