Hi, I’m Dave, and I Make Things
This space is my way of pushing back against automation—with art, stories, tools, and work you can feel. Subscribe, and I may challenge your beliefs.
So, what’s the deal with Manual Transmission?
The name of the publication has two meanings.
Manual Transmission is about making creative work by hand—writing, designing, and getting our hands in the work without shortcuts. It’s about doing the work yourself and staying close to the process.
It’s also literal: I’m transmitting stories, tools, and ideas manually—one post at a time, built by hand, driven by instinct, and tuned for anyone who still believes analog effort matters in a digital world.
The Lessons are Free
Every week, I send out a post built from lived experience—no theory, no posturing, just real stories from inside the creative grind. I talk about what I’m making, what’s working, what’s breaking, and how I keep moving through it all. I’ve always learned more from people in the trenches than from anyone speaking down from a stage.
Recently, a friend told me that something I shared helped them push through a creative block, and if they hadn’t stumbled across my work, they might not be the artist they are today. That hit me hard. It’s why I keep showing up.
This stuff is free, but I don’t treat it like throwaway content. I treat it like a craft—something worth doing well, by hand, with intention.
If you want to go deeper and support the work, becoming a member unlocks tools, resources, and extras made specifically for people who like to get their hands dirty.
Becoming a Member?
Reasons to join the cool kids club (no matching jackets):
Behind-the-Scenes Access to the Creative Process - Get exclusive content, ideas-in-progress, and honest breakdowns of what I’m working on—before it hits the public feed (process notes, project experiments, and unpolished insights straight from the studio).
Digital Zines, Delivered First - Every other month, I publish a new zine. Members receive the digital version for free, before anyone else has a chance to see it: Part essay, part art object, and with my sticky fingerprints all over them.
Studio Stash: Member-Only Creative Assets - Each month, I drop a pack of high-res images, textures, brushes, or tools you can use freely in your work. They’re copyright-free, zero-fluff, and not available anywhere else.
Full Access to the Archive - Unlock everything I’ve shared so far—zines, asset drops, tools, essays, rants, and more.
Deep Discounts in the Shop - Members get steep discounts on everything I sell—printed zines, full-sized asset packs, and future tools/products.
Surprise Extras- When the mood hits, I drop random bonuses—downloads, resources, and offers you won’t see anywhere else.
Want a test drive? Here’s a one-week trial to test things out.
Just Be Here
Free or paid, it’s ok either way. The most important thing is to subscribe because you don’t want to miss out on the next post, which could be the one that helps change your life.
It could happen; if it does, I’d like to make it happen together. I’m also on YouTube, but I spend most of my time on Substack Notes, where you can send me a direct message at any time.
I’m sure I’ll see you around somewhere.
