Too busy to write his own bio, Mark Wisz studied graphic communications in college only because he thought a career in design meant he would not have to wear a tie every day. Unfortunately, his hopes were soon dashed when he worked for Steve James Design, who wore very colorful and unique ties daily and insisted the designers in his studio do the same.
Mark used his training in old-school techniques, mechanicals and hand drawing, to develop many independent projects recognizable to Buffalonians in the 1990s. This included the zine Sign 'o The Times and then Slack Magazine — an early cut-and-paste publication that was distributed for 3 years — and posters for Buffalo clubs and bands like the ICON, CONCRETE, the King Snake Lounge, and bands including The Steam Donkeys, Scott Carpenter & the Real McCoys, Wolf Tickets, and the Annual Joe Strummer Tribute. His poster work can be found at WiszPoster.com. Archived digital versions of Slack Magazine can be found at SlackMagazine.com.
Seemingly always at the bleeding edge of trends, Mark soon developed an interest in computer design, learning how to use the programs on the library computer and later carrying his old Mac SE30 back and forth to work daily. (It had a handle!) With writers and contributors from Slack Magazine, he developed the BuffaloPost.com, one of the earliest online publications in the Buffalo region.
The dot com bust of the late 90s brought a career change. In 1999, Mark was laid off for the third time – from (2) website design companies that went bankrupt, a then a local technology company which ran out of funding. In between jobs, Mark would complete the web projects left unfinished by his previous employers. With that work ethic, and the client roster he developed, Mark began doing business as OtherWisz Creative, specializing in custom web design.
Over the years OtherWisz Creative Corporation has evolved to provide brand identity, exhibit, and marketing services in addition to custom web design. Mark still abhors a necktie.