I usually find my self on the cusp of change. When I was a student in school, i was only one of a handful of kids that had divorced parents so I guess I am one of the OG latchkey kids. Starting my design career in 1984, after having trained with pencil, paper, markers paint, x-acto knives, compass and a numerous amount of guides and measuring devices. I found myself a student of Central Academy of Commercial Art in Cincinnati with a 3.9 and even graduating early, ready to face the world and show off my mad graphic skills.

Little did I know that on the near horizon, I was to lay down my traditional tools and learn the art of computer aided technology. Yes Steve Jobs had a major influence on me because he encouraged me to ‘think different”. At the time, the Apple Macintosh computer was designed for the artist in mind, the PC and Windows from Bill Gates was for the tech geeks and the business minded. So I naturally gravitated to the Mac. I learned how to operate the systems with ease. But I never gave up on my traditional methods of creating and designing. I would start with the concepting process just like I was taught in school. The computer always seem to slow me down in my thought process so I was able to get all of my designs noodled out and then execute the final art on the computer.

All of those years of studying typefaces, spacing, leading, grammar, color, light source, perspective and just good design, never left me. I was able to apply what I learned as the fundamental elements of a good design and carry that over to the tech world. Unfortunately, all the people that were employed as typesetters, photographers, illustrators and printers, were all faced with staffing reductions because of this growing technology.

I found that I was able to do it all with my new little friend the Mac. I was now utilizing photography, PMS (Pantone Matching System) not the lady stuff, typefonts, and illustrations all at my fingertips. With this ability I was able to launch my own business, Wade Design in 1994, where I developed and published newsletters and soon to be websites for financial, non-profits and manufacturing companies. The business grew and was eventually moved to the Entrepreneurs Center in Downtown Dayton. We operated there providing customer websites, graphic design, marketing, SEO and video for small and medium businesses. Wade Design was sold to Legacy Ministries in 2005.

Isaiah 43:18 – “Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.

At some point in your life you are going to realize that God wants to do a new thing in your life, where the former things will pass away and He makes all things new. I’ve learned this on my journey. This technology thing can be a blessing or it can be a curse. In so many ways it has become a curse.

I’ve seen technology destroy marriages and families. I’ve seen it cause violence and hate amongst friends. I’ve watched as society began to unravel and Big Tech powers using that power for political and monetary gain. And they still are. With the onset of Artificial Intelligence we will see more jobs lost and more chaos in our homes. If you haven’t already watched Childhood 2.0, you should watch it. Life will never be the same unless we put down our devices and get back to the basics. The Old Days, the time where we talked to each other in person, had a cup of coffee in person. Retire our mouse for a pen and paper.

My grandkids and I love to draw, they all seem to have the skill, it runs in the blood, I am convinced. I discovered that my grandpa on my mom’s side had the gift of drawing. My dad ran a successful art agency for 30 years and was highly skilled. My daughters all utilize art in different ways, hair design, jewelry design, sculpture. My grandkids love art and they love to create. Something gets lost on the machine, we look for shortcuts to solve problems and to express ourselves. There is nothing like good old fashioned brain work and hands creating beautiful things. Don’t stop creating and leave the monsters to their machines.