ThoughtForm is proud to announce that Adam Dove has joined our team as a writer. Recently, we talked to Adam about his journey to ThoughtForm, and the design that inspires him to think more creatively.
Tell us a bit about your background
Books, television, movies, video games—I’ve always felt the most alive when absorbed in a great story. So, when it came time to decide on a path for my career, writing seemed the most natural fit. After getting my Bachelor’s in fiction writing from the University of Pittsburgh, I wanted to immediately become a published author. But of course, these things take time. So, to pay the bills, I got a job in communications. Just for a little while, I told myself. But after seven years, managing communications for large organizations has taught me as much about storytelling as my writing degree. Most importantly, I’ve learned that no matter the medium, the cornerstone of every decision we make is a story well told.
What’s an example of a design you admire today?
This might be a bit of a writer’s way out, but my favorite kind of design is unconventional narrative design. The kind that finds new ways to tell stories or combines old ways to create something new. My favorite example of this is 17776, an online sci-fi novella about sentient satellites following whatever version of American football has developed in the far distant future. It uses text, GIFs and videos to tell a deep, emotional story about what could have easily become a ridiculous and one-dimensional topic. It emphasizes that effective storytelling is less about what you’re trying to say than it is about how you say it.
What advice do you have for someone just getting started down a similar career path to your own?
The best thing to remember is that a career and a job are two different things. Your job can be an important part of your career. But careers are made up of many different parts, all working toward the same goal. It’s not about finding your dream job. It’s about finding your passion area, and then building everything you do around that passion. Mine, for example, is creative storytelling. That’s why ThoughForm is such a good environment for me—every new project is an opportunity to tackle a unique challenge and flex my creative thinking muscles to tell a story that gets real-world results. But my work at ThoughtForm isn’t the only way I fulfill that passion. I write short stories, teach creative writing workshops, host public arts events, and more. The key to building a career that is uniquely, creatively yours, is to find your passion and have an open mind about the ways you can pursue it. Do that, and you’re much more likely to find yourself where you want to be.
Who’s currently on your work playlist?
It truly depends on what I’m doing. When I’m trying to think through the creative direction of a project, I like to occupy the distractable part of my mind with the dulcet tones of other people playing video games on the internet. But when it comes to getting words on the page, nothing is more inspiring than the sweet sound of silence.