*reprinted from the Earlham Word, issue date 2.28.97
Nicole Tuggle
Contributing Editor

Mark Stosberg has difficulty accepting the title of "artist", preferring instead to label himself a designer. His paint and brushes lie within the internal world of computers, which provide him with a world of opportunities at his fingertips.

Growing up, the first career Mark thought of was an architect. After that, he pondered the life of a civil engineer. Each path he explored, Mark was met by a desire to work with design. Since high school, that interest has been interwoven with his exploration of the computer field.

"Since I was about ten years old I always liked designing stuff on the computer. The equipment back then was rather primitive, so I'd actually program graphics, sometimes using random number generators to make them."

In the preparation for a zine in high school, Mark decided to use the computer to assist in his design. "I started playing around with backgrounds on the pages, and soon I found that the school newspaper had copied my idea."

Seeing the success of the pairing of his two interests, Mark knew that he wanted to continue his work with design. At this time, he stumbled upon a recently published author, Jordan Green, who needed some design assistance with his small publishing press.

Mark seized the opportunity, becoming head of design and layout. It was the beginning of what has become a long relationship with Tilt-A-Whirl Press, a small press publishing and distribution business. Mark describes the press as "the new, emerging voice of working class desolation and hope ... There is a wealth of literate expression not given proper place in our recognition ... (it's) a small, energetic and resourceful press with true working-class pride." He expresses great pride and excitement at his involvement with Tilt-A-Whirl, and hopes to continue his work with the press in the future.

At Earlham, Mark took an introductory computer programming class which solidified his earlier interest. Now a computer science major, he states, "I now know that I'm definately most interested in entering into publishing. My work with computers can be used to support this."

With his recent computer studies a new interest has been born: the Internet. Assigned to design and produce a web page for a class, Mark chose to promote Tilt-A-Whirl Press.

After seeing the success of this project, Mark began to see the possibilities for the new medium. Following his campaign on Earlham's campus, Mark established a website for the legalization of skateboarding. The site, currently the only one on this subject, includes a great deal of information as well as a comments page from those who wish to respond. Mark has received a worldwide response to this site, in just the past week having visitors from over twelve countries.

Next on Mark's agenda is the development of an on-line version of The Word. This independent study is his most challenging project to date. The site will be updated weekly, with old issues on archive, so that they can be easily accessed. He also hopes to have an on-line opinion board and Dateline which will be updated daily. After researching over one hundred online college newspapers, Mark says, "We really have the chance to be the best online college newspaper in the country." The monumental work that is needed for the groundwork and eventual establishment of this project should be done by the end of the semester.

Mark, currently a junior, is avidly continuing his work in publishing, hoping to make it his career after Earlham. After Spring Break, he will be taking over as editor-in-chief of The Word, where he has been layout editor since the beginning of the year. It is an exciting opportunity to explore all the various stages of publishing.

In an ideal situation, Mark would like to see himself working for one of the current skateboarding publications: "Big Brother , for example, is one of the most innovative examples of publishing design out there right now." He hopes to set up an internship this summer with such a magazine.

Mark's love for design is obvious when one examines his involvement on Earlham's campus. His numerous flyers have graced many a wall, and his Air Guitar T-Shirt for this year is sure to be a huge success. He enjoys the constant work and uses it as a means of improving his design abilities: "When I started all of this, I had different notions of what good design was. Now I'm finding that I'm having to go back and learn the fundamental principles."

You can easily access Mark Stosberg's various web creations from his homepage, and check out a copy of Blue Collar Boom, currenly on sale in the Earlham Book Store.