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Illustration by WNW Member Pierre-Paul Pariseau

Illustration by WNW Member Pierre-Paul Pariseau

I Miss My Desk (and So Should You)

Working Not Working August 31, 2020

This pandemic has reminded me of a lesson I learned years ago but had since forgotten. The desk is more than a piece of office furniture; it’s an integral part of a designer’s creative life. The desk is a rock of stability, a place to be active, to be still, and to work.

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In OPINION Tags desks, offices, office, opinion, op-ed, work bench, designers, design, tangible, community, pandemic, COVID19, coronavirus, reflection, Brandon Lori, Pierre-Paul Pariseau
Photo by EVERGIB

Photo by EVERGIB

Canceling the Confederacy: The Dismantling of One of the Most Powerful Brands in American History

Working Not Working August 21, 2020

“In some cases, a brand stretches or distorts the truth to appeal to its audience. Do we really think Pop-Tarts are part of a nutritious breakfast, as Kellogg's suggests? Over time, the reinforcement of this skewed reality becomes accepted as the norm. It's exactly how the rise of the Confederacy brand came to pass.”

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In OPINION Tags Rachel Scott Everett, EVERGIB, confederacy, racism, branding, advertising, current events, conversation, thought leadership, history, american history, canceled, opinion, op-ed
Illustration by WNW Member Mark Wang

Illustration by WNW Member Mark Wang

The Villain We Deserve: When Turning a Blind Eye to Hatred Weakens the Critical Gaze

Working Not Working August 12, 2020

“When design turned up its nose at thoughtful criticism through civilized discourse in favor of strictly 'good vibes', it created a vacuum...All systems require balance and by avoiding this requirement, we collectively created instability.”

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In OPINION Tags Danielle Evans, twitter, design, designers, community, criticism, alt right, hatred, racism, LGBTQ+, villain, conversation, opinion, op-ed, essay
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Asking Not Asking #35: Gut Issue

Working Not Working June 22, 2020

I often feel drained by the work, company culture and low pay. To remedy, I have been actively applying to jobs, networking and taking professional development classes to find a better alternative.

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In OPINION Tags Asking Not Asking, Tina Essmaker, opinion, op-ed, column
Illustration by WNW Member Richard A. Chance

Illustration by WNW Member Richard A. Chance

The Many Hurdles Facing Creatives of Color in Museum Spaces

Working Not Working June 9, 2020

Museums become the long term memory of a society. They bear the scars of oppressive movements that stain our history and carry that trauma like a physical body. Each institution has a closet full of skeletons they’d rather forget.

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In OPINION Tags Danielle Evans, Amelie Lamont, Chaedria LaBouvier, museum, exhibit, creatives of color, creativity, woke, talent, injustice
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Asking Not Asking #34: Into the Unknown

Working Not Working May 28, 2020

Over the course of writing the past 33 columns, one of the most prevalent, recurring themes has been the question of how we deal with the unknown. Ambiguity, uncertainty, surprise, and the unexpected dot our careers as creatives, sometimes momentarily and sometimes for seasons.

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In OPINION Tags Asking Not Asking, Tina Essmaker, opinion, op-ed, column, creative coaching, advice, retrospective, unknown
WNW Member Veronyka Jelinek

WNW Member Veronyka Jelinek

How to Gamify Survival as a Creative

Working Not Working May 1, 2020

“While a beautiful thought, a room full of designers nullifies the shared skill. If everyone is a logo designer, who will make logos when the need arises? Everyone, and therefore no one. Keeping like-minded company is critical to being seen, but diversity will help us survive.”

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In OPINION Tags Danielle Evans, Veronyka Jelinek, Creative, creativity, pandemic, survival, video games, opinion, op-ed
Illustration by WNW Member James Clapham

Illustration by WNW Member James Clapham

Drawing Under Quarantine: Fostered Skills & Advice for Newcomers

Working Not Working April 22, 2020

These tips for professionals and amateurs alike can provide some attainable goals or challenges to those in search of motivation, especially now that freelance creatives are under the whims of unstable budgets.

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In OPINION Tags drawing, quarantine, COVID19, coronavirus, creativity, illustrator, talent, interview, op-ed, resource, children, teaching, advice
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Asking Not Asking #33: All or Nothing

Working Not Working April 14, 2020

Over the past year, art has been calling out to me again in a way I can’t ignore. Her pleas have been getting stronger, more urgent—and more disappointed in my lack of resolve to commit more time to her—time I simply don’t have right now.

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In OPINION Tags Tina Essmaker, Asking Not Asking, creativity, talent, opinion, op-ed, advice, how to, Creative Coach
Illustration by WNW Member Scott Balmer

Illustration by WNW Member Scott Balmer

How to Cultivate Mindfulness When Working from Home: Limits, Routines, & Self-Nourishment

Working Not Working April 6, 2020

“The illusion is lifted: everyone now knows we are at home. This requires firmer boundaries around our time online, and how and where we choose to spend it.”

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In OPINION Tags Danielle Evans, mindfulness, coronavirus, COVID19, conversation, creativity, wfh, home office, distractions, opinion, op-ed
Craig Black

Craig Black

Surviving the Coronavirus Crisis as an Independent Creative

Working Not Working March 31, 2020

“What I am about to share with you is actionable steps that I have taken to ensure my business and my mental well being will survive through these challenging times. I really hope that this insight can provide value to the community.”

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In OPINION Tags Craig Black, coronavirus, advice, opinion, op-ed, Scotland, lettering, type, designer, productivity, positivity
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Asking Not Asking #32: Questioning Next Steps

Working Not Working March 11, 2020

“I think freelance life has shifted my focus from doing what I love to worrying too much about money and business. That makes me feel like something is not working. I want to be excited about what I do again.”

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In OPINION Tags Asking Not Asking, Tina Essmaker, Creativity, advice, how to, talent, creative industry, creative coaching
Illustration by WNW Member Simon Flöter

Illustration by WNW Member Simon Flöter

Van Gogh and the Trap of the Artists’ Market

Working Not Working March 3, 2020

“Van Gogh’s story is a typical case of a self-conscious creative with no marketing skills floundering in an artists’ market. He sold a product to a small community that didn’t value him and couldn’t patron him longterm.”

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In OPINION Tags Van Gogh, Danielle Evans, Simon Floter, artists, creative market
Illustration by WNW Member Michelle Mruk

Illustration by WNW Member Michelle Mruk

Free to Create Change: Next Creative Leaders & the Case for Creating for Good

Working Not Working February 25, 2020

As Vicki Saunders famously said, 'Everything’s broken, what a great time to be alive.' So make a dream brief out of what bothers you. Build the thing you wish you had (a little bird told me that’s how Working Not Working came to be). Be the change you’d like to see.

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In OPINION Tags Laurel Stark, 3% Movement, One Club, Next Creative Leaders, 2020, Goals, creativity, social good, social cause, passion project, opinion, op-ed
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Asking Not Asking #31: Ready for Creative Expansion

Working Not Working February 19, 2020

As I work on my plan for the next five years I'm craving an expansion while holding onto my mastery. How do I expand to take on a bigger creative role, while keeping the market's trust in what I do very well?

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In OPINION Tags Asking Not Asking, Tina Essmaker, Column, Creativity, creative industry, talent, expansion, advice, how to
ANA_30.jpg

Asking Not Asking #30: Needing A Refresh

Working Not Working January 1, 2020

I know my work will be better and I’ll be able to focus more if I take time for myself. How can I start to say yes to myself more, not just during this time of year, but on a more regular basis?

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In OPINION Tags Tina Essmaker, Creative Coaching, Talent, opinion, op-ed, advice, how to, refresh, new year, resolutions, break, time out
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Asking Not Asking #29: Rethinking It All

Working Not Working December 19, 2019

Taking time off made me realize how fast-paced my work and life was. I might want something different. How do I decide without uprooting my entire life? 

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In OPINION Tags TIna Essmaker, Creative Industry, advice, Asking Not Asking, how to, coaching
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Asking Not Asking #28: Burned Out on Social Media

Working Not Working November 26, 2019

Is it necessary to post on social media daily? Will we lose work if we’re not sharing like everyone else? How can I get rid of my anxiety and have a more reasonable approach to all of this?

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In OPINION Tags Tina Essmaker, Asking Not Asking, creative coaching, talent, social media, burnout, technology, advice, how to, column, creative coach, self promotion
Illustration by WNW Member Simon Flöter

Illustration by WNW Member Simon Flöter

The Bad Physics of Meritocracy

Working Not Working November 26, 2019

There is no formula for becoming a successful creative, but even we are bound by the laws of physics. Our motivational advice mirrors high school science books: move your mass. Take risks and gain momentum. Orbit positively charged people. In the face of these constants, there is a variable often unconsidered.

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In OPINION Tags meritocracy, inequality, design, creativity, advice, opinion, Danielle Evans, op-ed, Simon Floter, physics, laws, rules, creative struggles
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