You’ve mentioned how GDS requires a lot of setup and infrastructure to do. I don’t really know very much about the last two, would you mind explaining what kinds of things went into it, and also what it was?

You could enter if you were 18 or older and capable of working in the U.S. To make it to each next step, you had to qualify.Step 1 - Answer 10 essay questions (3000 words total).Step 2 - Take a multiple choice test on Magic knowledge.Step 3 - Do a design test.Top 8 compete in a competition that resembles a reality show that tests a skill (think Project Runway or Top Chef). Each week there is a design challenge. Judges review all the entries and give public notes. The person doing the worst overall is eliminated. The top three get flown to Wizards for a day of interviews and other tests.The winner gets a 6 month internship in R&D. The top three of each of the three Great Designer Searches, as well as a few others, were eventually hired full time by Wizards (although not all in R&D).Top 3 Finalists:GDS1 Alexis Jansen - winnerKen Nagle - runner-upGraeme Hopkins - thirdGDS2 Ethan Fleischer - winner Shawn Main - runner-upScott Van Essen - thirdGDS3Ari Nieh - winner Jeremy Geist - runner-up Chris Mooney - third

I love the the idea that Ari Nieh discussed on your podcast of a limited set with 15 colour pairs (the usual ten, plus one for each colour plus colourless). Please make this happen one day!

Magic is a hungry monster.

I'd like to give you an opportunity to give a shout-out to a fellow designer who challenges you in a way that makes you a better designer, that brings out your very best because they are able to see the flaws and helps you make a better product.

That’s all of R&D, but if I have to throw out a name, I’ll throw out Ari Nieh. She was my strong second on Neon Dynasty and constantly pushed me to make things better.

Hey Mark! Just wanted to say I’ve been super happy with White designs in recent sets, not just in terms of their power level but also how much fun many of them have been to play with. Kudos to the team, and a shoutout to Ari Nieh!

Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying it.

I just want to say that I love Cleave. I've been wanting a mechanic like it for years. Thank you.

You have Ari Nieh to thank. She designed it in Streets of New Capenna exploratory design. We didn’t end up using it there, so Mark Gottlieb suggested it to Adam for Crimson Vow’s use.

If/When: a set design led by Ari Nieh?

Big When. Ari’s is scheduled to lead a vision design of an upcoming set.,

Ari Nieh was on TCC and Reddit had a big conversation about it. Many comments are a bit meh, but one person wrote a rather good longish post about White being "the color of huge edifices, cities, whole societies, and building for future generations in a way that makes individual creatures little more than cogs," (paraphrase) and that this should be mechanically represented by "invest now to pay off later" mechanics, and thought that was also how White should approach card advantage. Yea or Nay?

We’re working on finding for white was impulsive draw is to red, something that feels core to the color identity yet helps with card flow. It is not going to be using flavor to justify Divination (aka straight up card draw).

Have you considered doing a ride to work with Ari Nieh? Like a follow up on GDS3 one year later?

The problem is Ari lives nowhere near me, so he’d have to drive out to my home to do a podcast with me. I’m up for it if Ari is, but it is a big ask.

Hi Mark, when is Ari Nieh starting his internship?

He started the beginning of September.

I thought we'd know the winner of GDS3 on Thursday. Did I miss it?

I announced it on the Twitter stream today. The winner of The Great Designer Search 3 is… Ari Nieh! Congratulations, Ari!