Did You Know?: Behind the Scenes of “The ‘Black Card’ Project”

Each month, we are going to feature the collaborators that helped make “The ‘Black Card’ Project” such a success. This month, meet artist Austin Wade who created all of the poster board character descriptions and the main production image for the show.

Austin Wade is a Cleveland, Ohio based freelance graphic designer, illustrator, and art maverick with a focus in print-based applications. He has worked with names from Derek Hess, to Sumerian Records, to Death Wish Coffee. Over the past 5 years, Austin has created artwork for over 100 tee shirts, 25 albums, and has created several full visual identities for new and rebranding businesses. Austin’s personal, fine art has a heavy focus on mental health and human transparency, tackling heavy issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicide in a way that connects the viewer to the art regardless of their personal struggles. His goal with his design is to create identities and assets for companies and brands that greater connect them to their audience and provide an uncommon sense of depth between business and customer. With his fine art, Austin strives to connect with those who feel alone in their daily mental health battles, and like black sheep to society by providing imagery and a dialogue that resonates and builds a sense of belonging and empathy.