Dana W. Adams has succeeded in many areas during his life. His first career was in radio; he was a disc jockey and salesman for KDOK AM and manager and salesman for KNUE FM, his father’s radio stations in Tyler, Texas. From there he went into advertising in Fort Worth working for Witherspoon and Associates and opening his own design and illustration studio, Dana Adams and Friends. Following the death of his father, he returned to Tyler to open Dana Adams Design. After leaving Tyler in the late eighties for graduate school due to the economy, Adams still dreamt about his studio, having been there for so long. Many logos, brochures, and illustrations were designed there, and Adams enjoyed the many interesting people he worked with. He produced over 100 award-winning designs and illustrations for commercial clients and won awards in Tyler, Dallas, Houston, and Chicago. For many years, Adams was the only illustrator in East Texas and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award when he closed his studio. He turned to graduate school where he earned the Masters degree and Ph. D. in English. He taught many years for University of Texas at Tyler. He retired in 2012 and returned to his first love: art.