Digital Media
From an early age, Øystein Wika demonstrated a keen interest in visual arts, contemplating a professional cartoonist career before his musical inclinations took precedence. By the mid-1990s, his artistic skills found a new avenue: graphic design. Alongside designing band posters and other freelance projects, Wika began crafting custom typefaces, often a requirement to meet the unique aesthetics of poster designs. This attention to detail and customization soon led him to the burgeoning world of web design. By the late 90s, he had crafted websites for a diverse clientele, ranging from tech companies to individual artists.
The advent of Adobe Flash technology marked a pivotal moment in Wika's digital journey. Recognizing the potential of this tool, he quickly became a prominent figure in Norway's Flash community. His expertise in Flash was not just limited to web design; it played a crucial role in developing educational platforms. Notably, the front-end application for the National Tests in Mathematics in Norway was entirely built in Flash, showcasing Wika's ability to integrate cutting-edge technology with educational needs.
In 2007, Wika's commitment to the Adobe Flash community culminated in co-founding the official Adobe User Group in Norway. His leadership was evident in serving as the user group manager for the initial two years, fostering a space for collaboration, learning, and innovation.
2009 saw Wika leveraging his tech expertise to develop a new platform for publishing placement tests in mathematics in Norway. This platform was instrumental in adapting one of the country's most utilized placement tests in the public school sector to a digital format. His involvement in such significant projects underscores his impact within the EdTech sector.
However, by 2017, Wika decided to recalibrate his focus. While his contributions to the tech world were substantial, he chose to pull out of external tech projects, redirecting his energies back to his first love: music.
In summary, Øystein Wika's foray into the digital domain has been marked by innovation, leadership, and a keen understanding of the intersection between technology and education. His contributions to application design and UX/UI in educational platforms have left an indelible mark on the tech landscape in Norway.