CREATIVE COUPLE: LETA & WADE

Asking the couple behind Complements to draw a line between work and play is a bit moot. WNW Member #2846 Leta Sobierajski and WNW Member #3441 Wade Jeffree may have met through OkCupid but it was their mutual love of Josef Müller-Brockmann that started it all. Leta and Wade admit that because they're such workaholics, it was important for them to find a partner who would equally embrace the blur between personal and professional. How do they make it work? Straightforward advice: "Make side/work projects together, have sex—followed by more sex. Beside that, it's simple and like any other relationship really."

Hi guys! Tell us a bit about yourself, where you're from and what you're currently loving:

We have been together for about two years now. Leta is a freelance graphic designer & art director who often works from our home studio. Wade works at Mother Design after just getting his new visa. We are obsessed with watching The Office and desperately want a dog but don’t think we are responsible for one just yet. Also this.

LETA

Describe your partner.

Wade is a handsome Australian with a cute butt. He’s very intelligent, driven, and a total workaholic, just like me. He's a great thinker and an equally great lover.

What do you admire about him?

He is the most tolerant, level-headed guy I have ever met. He keeps his cool, and helps me keep mine too.

Through working together, I have discovered...

...he has a mean jump shot.

WADE

Describe your partner.

Structured fringe, Acne-outfitted, strong-willed, badass.

What do you admire about her?

Her passion and drive to succeed whilst remaining humble. She's had a strange journey to get to where she is now, one that would not have been so if she didn’t go all or nothing.

Through working together, I have discovered...

...she's extremely organized, which I am not. So that helps. :)

LETA & WADE

What came first, romance or work?

Coupling came first! We met on OkCupid in April of 2013. Leta made an account after one too many lousy relationships and no less than five days later, Wade messaged her with his number and asked if she'd be interested in getting together for a drink because we shared similar interests. Leta’s profile said that she didn’t want to talk to anyone who didn’t know who Josef Müller-Brockmann was. We had three dates in the same week and have been together ever since (nearly two years)!

Had you dated anyone in the creative field before?

Leta: Yes.
Wade: No.

How did you start working together? What was that transition like?

We both believe that work and life are intertwined—they are not two separate entities. We are both very driven and find fulfillment in our work, so we often find ourselves working next to each other until the late hours. It helps to drive us to keep working, as we push each other with everything. We have the ability to bounce ideas of each other and help push each others' workflow. However, we rarely work on client projects together, which was a major catalyst for our Complements project. It allows us to collaborate, yet express our relationship in a manner that is visually compelling and representative of how ridiculous we are. It was a very seamless transition, as we were already so involved in and aware of each others’ projects.

Do you have work/personal boundaries? If so, how do you draw that line?

Not at all! No lines to draw. Working together can get pretty interesting, especially when we both aren’t wearing pants.

Ideal Coupling: Not Coupling ratio

As much coupling time as possible!

Favorite thing about working together. Hardest thing.

The best thing is that we can be completely honest with one another without worrying about saying or doing the wrong thing. Over time, we have developed a respect & confidence in each other’s ideas. The hardest part is that we get lazy with our cooking and exercise. Both of course are important to staying healthy!

As a couple: how have you seen your work evolve? As a professional, how has your relationship evolved?

Being honest and providing opinions for each others’ work has helped us both improve our skill set and our portfolios. As we worked on Complements, we have taken on larger challenges and tested our capabilities as designers as well as a couple. Once we accomplish a goal, we create new ones. Since our relationship is made quite public through our project, we can’t say it is evolving any differently professionally than it is personally.

Are you friends with other creative couples? Why do you think people date each other in this field?

Inevitably, yes. It’s so difficult to find someone who understands and tolerates our long hours and eclectic behavior. We both wanted to meet people that we could relate to, as our lives are intertwined with our work and it’s difficult to find separation from the two.