MEET #2356 MELISSA
FAUSTINE CHANG
Designer • Los Angeles, CA
WNW Member #2356 Melissa Faustine Chang is a designer who specializes in branding, publishing, typography, and print. She's worked with publishing titans like W. W. Norton, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster. Her work has been recognized by the Type Director's Club and Print Magazine. Melissa offers some great advice to her fellow freelancers: "Routine is key in staying focused and disciplined. Something as small as having a set place to go every day, like a studio or co-working space, helps build a bit of structure in what can otherwise be a rather unstructured lifestyle."
1. How long have you been freelancing?
A little over two years now.
2. Is there a time or place that you feel most creative/have the best ideas?
I have the best ideas right before I fall asleep—it's when my mind is most unfettered. I keep a notebook by my bed to scribble down ideas and decipher the gibberish (genius) the next morning.
3. What's your ideal Working:Not Working ratio?
About 60/40. Making sure I dedicate a good chunk of time to Not Working keeps me refreshed and much more effective when I’m Working.
4. Do your parents understand what you do?
Somewhat! They have a general idea that it has something to do with pictures and computers.
5. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
The Black Knight scene in Monty Python. “Tis but a flesh wound!” Classic.
6. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?
1. Google Maps for turn-by-turn navigation around the palm trees
2. Yelp to see where to find the tastiest 5-star coconuts
3. YouTube for videos on how-to best open and cook the coconuts
7. What do you do when Not Working?
I swim, hike (two things that are so wonderfully accessible since relocating from NY to LA), and travel as often as possible.
My favorite thing about freelancing is that if work is ever slow, I have the freedom to hop on a plane to wherever the cheapest ticket takes me.
8. Do you have a hidden talent?
Not taking things or myself too seriously.
9. Any tips or advice for fellow freelancers?
Routine is key in staying focused and disciplined. Something as small as having a set place to go every day, like a studio or co-working space, helps build a bit of structure in what can otherwise be a rather unstructured lifestyle.
10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?
They speed up Seinfeld episodes on TBS to fit more episodes in—so diabolical!