🔘 wisdom + posts + art degrees

ISSUE #123

MAKING

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying Write the book you want to read. Well, I’m adding to it: Create the Wisdom Deck you need.

I hesitated to call it a wisdom deck—it sounds a little highfalutin to me, and I’m not exactly in a position to be doling out wisdom. But at the end of the day, that’s what it is. And I feel more comfortable calling it that when I think of it as wisdom for myself. These are lessons I’ve learned—but still manage to defy, forget, and forgo.

So this little package of wisdom is a reminder for me, but also for anyone trying to make a go at something. The inspiration for this deck started with a keynote presentation I gave at a printing and design conference in 2022. Others you might recognize from past newsletters.

Right now, these little guys are en route to California to be displayed alongside other creative projects at the AWP Conference. Huge thanks to

Darien Gee

of

Writer-ish with Darien Gee

for making this happen! If you’ll be at AWP, stop by to visit Darien and grab a deck.

If you’d like to buy your own copy, Venmo me your mailing address and $10 to @weidea (US orders only at this time).

Wisdom Deck: 10 Lessons on Creativity and Opportunity

3.5" x 3.5" printed in-house on a Xerox Phaser 7800 on Neenah Astrobrights 24lb paper, round-cornered, and bound with a clear screw post.

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LOVING

A NEW-TO-ME OFFICE + ART SUPPLY: CLEAR SCREW POSTS

Not the sexiest or most creative thing in the world, but they saved my bacon on the Wisdom Deck project. The plan was to bind them with traditional metal screw posts, but as I was searching for small-capacity versions, I happened upon these clear ones. Not only are they clear—so you can see the awesome Astrobright paper color underneath—but they push together rather than threading. That’s a big deal when you’re assembling 150+ pieces and working with tiny 1/8" posts.

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THINKING

I absolutely loved this piece by Sara Kaye and if you’re a GenX-er with an art degree, you’ll probably relate too. She lays out why our mix of analog skills, creative resilience, and deep well of “figuring it out” skills are exactly what’s needed right now. As AI-generated everything takes over, GenX-ers with Art Degrees know how to navigate uncertainty, adapt, and actually make things happen.

➡️ Read You Should Hire A GenX-er With An Art Degree Before It's Too Late by

Sara Kaye

And if you happen to be in the market, I just so happen to be a GenX-er with an Art Degree, just sayin’. ☺️

You Should Hire A GenX-er With An Art Degree Before It's Too Late