While employed in the ad biz at Dallas agency, The Sherrill Company. Bill Oates was graduated with a BFA at Southern Methodist University in1980, Opportunity knocked and he was hired away as to develop creative for Unigraphics, Inc. in 1982. 1987 saw a return to hometown Memphis to marry and found Oates Design. Three daughters and their Mom keep life interesting... The process of creating and applying new ideas, ideation, helps keep design exciting. While employed in the ad biz at Dallas agency, The Sherrill Company. Bill Oates was graduated with a BFA at Southern Methodist University in1980, Opportunity knocked and he was hired away as to develop creative for Unigraphics, Inc. in 1982. 1987 saw a return to hometown Memphis to marry and found Oates Design. Three daughters and their Mom keep life interesting... The process of creating and applying new ideas, ideation, helps keep design exciting.