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MEET #2154 DAN WOODGER
MEET #2154 DAN WOODGER
Illustrator • London, UK
Dan Woodger is a London-based Illustrator, whose work was all over the branding of this year's Webby Awards. Woodger's clients include The New York Times, NY Magazine, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wired, Google, Cadbury, Oreo, and Mentos.
1. How long have you been freelancing?
I say I've been freelancing for just under 2 years as that's when I gave up my part time job at a shop and took on illustration full time. Though in truth it's very hard to pinpoint the exact moment that I made the conscious decision to tell people 'I'm a freelance illustrator' as I graduated from university in 2011 but it took a good 6 months to get the ball rolling after leaving.
2. Is there a time or place that you feel most creative/have the best ideas?
I don't think so, I work from home 95% of the time so that where the majority of my ideas are generated but I have worked whilst abroad in other countries too and still manage to create ideas in the same way as I do at home.
3. What's your ideal Working:Not Working ratio?
My ideal ratio would probably be about 80:20; however, I'm currently working at a ratio of 100:0. I'm an absolute workaholic. My average day starts at 9am and I usually work through until about 1am (with a couple of hours off in the evening to have dinner and spend some time with my girlfriend) I've been fortunate enough to have had plenty of freelance work to bury myself in this year but even on the quiet days I'm always finding something to work on.
4. Do your parents understand what you do?
Yeah my parents are really cool about what I do and have always been very supportive. I don't come from a particularly creative background so doing illustration is quite unusual but from my parents I learned the importance of hard work so I think as long as I try my best at whatever it is I decide to do they'll always be supportive of it.
5. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
Ha good question! There are so many how do I choose!? I think I'll have to go with the first one that popped into my head which is the scene from The Money Pit where Tom Hanks sinks into the floor, I was crying when I saw that for the first time. There's also another scene from that same movie when the bath falls through the ceiling, still cracks me up every time.
6. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?
Is there a website called howtogetoffadesertisland.com? If so that'd be really quite handy.
If that doesn't exist perhaps howtosurviveonadesertisland.com? A sheltered existence in front of a computer screen has led me to a life where by having to actually survive doesn't come up all too often, so I'd probably need some help it that department.
And, I don't know... Wikipedia? I'll have so much free time on my hands I might as well read about every single pointless thing there is to know
7. What do you do when Not Working?
It's strange when your hobby is also your job because sometimes it's difficult to determine if I'm working because I have to or if I'm working because I want to. But when I do take a day off from drawing it's often just relaxing, reading a book, perhaps going for a run or lately playing GTA V.
8. Do you have a hidden talent?
I was the junior champion at my local golf club in 2005. I supposed that'd qualify as a hidden talent! I was actually looking to become a teaching professional at one point.
9. Any tips or advice for fellow freelancers?
Work hard, don't be shy of self promotion and try to keep your online profile up to date, even if you don't have time to update a main website keep a blog going. I think it's really important to keep things looking fresh online as I think it displays good organisation.
10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?
This week I enjoyed this.
Was horrified by this.
And loved this.
The Webby Awards
ASOS
The Hollywood Reporter
Jurassic Skate Park
The New York Times
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MEET #2245 LAUREN HOM
MEET #2245 LAUREN HOM
Illustrator/Designer/Letterer • New York, NY
Lauren Hom is a New York-based illustrator, designer, and letterer. In 2013, she won a Webby Award for her blog Daily Dishonesty, where she designs "lovely little lies."
1. How long have you been freelancing?
I've been freelancing for about four years. It all started at the end of my freshman year of college; I used to go onto the creative gigs section of Craigslist and take any projects I could get my hands onto. After building up my portfolio and a steady stream of clients, I retired from Craigslist and started my own little one-woman studio, Hom Sweet Hom.
2. Is there a time or place that you feel most creative/have the best ideas?
I wouldn't say it's a specific time or place because my best ideas come to me when I'm either a.) eating with friends, b.) laughing with friends, or c.) all of the above. Honestly, I've found that I'm most creative when I'm not trying to be. Of course I'm still creative when I try to be because that's my job, but I think the real gold is in the ideas that just smack you in the head out of nowhere, like a droplet of water from an AC unit on a NYC building. Looking back, my best ideas have come to me while eating a grilled cheese and a bagel, so I guess you could say that carbs fuel my creativity.
3. What's your ideal Working:Not Working ratio?
Even when I'm not working, I'm working. My friends call me the side project queen, but I'd have to say my ideal ratio would probably be 60% client work and 35% personal work. The extra 5% is for picnics and sleeping in late on Sundays.
4. Do your parents understand what you do?
Thank goodness, yes they do. My parents sent me to art school without batting an eyelash, which I really appreciated, since I know deep deep down my dad was worried about me being a starving artist. They've been really supportive and enthusiastic about my career choice. When I send my dad an article about my work or an interview I did, he's the kind of guy who will print it out, make a dozen copies, and hand them out to his coworkers.
Dad, if you're reading this, just email it. Save some trees. Love you.
5. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
The scene in Anchorman where the people at the office are describing what Sex Panther smells like when Paul Rudd walks into the room. I cry every time.
6. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?
tumblr.com - so I could update my blog (dailydishonesty.com) and also send desperate HELP messages to my followers. I would hope at least one of them would want to save me.
dribbble.com - so I could see what all my lucky non-stranded design friends are up to.
pinterest.com - food porn, enough said.
7. What do you do when Not Working?
When I'm "Not Working", I'm still working on some kind of food-humor-typography personal project. But when I do actually take a day off, you can find me worsening my hoarding tendencies at a thrift shop, baking a pie in the middle of the day, or going back for thirds from the free sample booth at Trader Joe's.
8. Do you have a hidden talent?
I can make a slice of pizza disappear in the blink of an eye at 3am on a Friday night.
9. Any tips or advice for fellow freelancers?
The advice I give to all of my fellow freelancers is to "work hard and snack often". It's my personal motto, and it means that it's important to eat snacks but to also take creative snacks as well: to read a book, take a walk around the park, bake a cake, etc. I know from personal experience how easy it is to get sucked into the computer and let your work consume you. I think it's really important to step away from the computer and do other things you enjoy. It really comes back to you and helps you be a better creative thinker.
Oh and also, always wear pants when you do a video call with a client. You never think you'll have to stand up during it, but you never know.
10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?
I recently competed in this design event, and they had a photo booth called The Bosco that gave you hard copies and a link to a GIF of the photos online. I think I spent the entire next day watching them. Here's me and my besties: http://www.thebos.co/p/5YY3U9
DAILY DISHONESTY
ENSIA MAGAZINE
PGB RESTAURANT BRANDING
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WNW CONNECTS: ED NACIONAL + DESIGN AND ACQUISITION
WNW CONNECTS:
ED NACIONAL +
DESIGN AND ACQUISITION
Design and Acquisition used Working Not Working to find designer/illustrator Ed Nacional who added some character to this new campaign for Oscar Health Insurance.
Oscar is a new kind of health insurance company that is using technology to make insurance simple, intuitive, and human. Founded by some of the investors behind Instagram and Warby Parker, Oscar aims to create a better user experience for customers.
The ad campaign demonstrates how Oscar is humanizing the approach to healthcare. They're giving the brand a personality that people can relate to with a more conversational voice and through design that stands out from the category. Their Oscar characters help make the brand fun and personable, where most health insurance companies use cheesy stock photography that fails to connect with the audience.
Steve Peck, Chief Creative Officer at Design and Acquisition, explained to us why he selected Ed: "In choosing Ed, we liked his style and felt he could bring to life a simple, flat graphic approach that captured Oscar's personality. The work popped off the page and influenced how our characters were being developed for animation as well. Our film production partner, Hornet, adapted the work they were starting based on Ed's look and the digital product team liked the work so much that they changed their site design to incorporate his style into it."
You can read more about the campaign on Business Insider and check out more of Ed's illustrations on HiOscar.com.
WORK: DAN CASSARO REDESIGNS HEALTHCARE.GOV FOR NY TIMES
WORK: DAN CASSARO
REDESIGNS HEALTHCARE.GOV FOR
THE NEW YORK TIMES
WNW Member #1517 Dan Cassaro illustrates (literally) the recent technical issues of Healthcare.gov. Dan's image accompanies Ezekiel J. Emanuel's NY Times op-ed article "How to Fix the Glitches."
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BAKER & LACHER NAMED TO MOST CREATIVE PEOPLE LIST
CHRIS BAKER &
MIKE LACHER HONORED
BY BUSINESS INSIDER
WNW Members #22 Chris Baker and #2444 Mike Lacher, both formerly Creative Directors at Buzzfeed, not only make Business Insider's list, but crack the Top 10 for creating the likes of Seeing Eye People, The Listiclock, and The Startup Legitimizer.
See more of Baker and Lacher's collaborations on their sites and check out the rest of Business Insider's list of the 24 Most Creative People in Advertising Right Now.
WORK: UNIQLO RECIPE APP
WORK: UNIQLO RECIPE APP
WNW Member #1261 Kwame Taylor-Hayford worked with Projector INC and Spring/Summer to create UNIQLO RECIPE.
The team gathered 6 emerging chefs from around the United States to develop recipes inspired by Uniqlo's LifeWear philosophy. 24 recipes were created using everyday ingredients and common cooking techniques. The app combines beautiful food photography with step-by-step instructions to create each dish. Food and style fuse to highlight the relationship between the colors and the textures. Original music, food and style combine perfectly in a timer featuring cooking sounds.
Find out more on the UNIQLO RECIPE site and download the free iPad app.
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NOT WORKING: IN CONEY ISLAND
NOT WORKING:
IN CONEY ISLAND
Amy Nicholson • Art Director • New York, NY
Zipper: Coney Island's Last Wild Ride, the third documentary by WNW member #453 Amy Nicholson, opens a one week engagement at IFC Center this Friday, August 9th. The film follows the struggles of a small-time ride operator and his carnival contraption as they fall victim to the battle over the future of Coney Island. We asked Amy about her process of making Zipper over the past six years and how she transitioned from art director to director. If you can't make it to the IFC Center, Zipper will be available on iTunes August 9th and opens in LA August 30th. Check out the trailer above and get more info at zipperfilm.com.
What drew you to Coney Island?
I’ve been going to Coney Island since I moved to New York back in the 90’s. It’s really some of the best people watching in the world. It’s one of those places where you feel like anything can happen. It smells like the ocean and sausages and candy, it’s loud, there are freaky people – what’s not to love?
And the Zipper was my favorite ride as a kid. Before the world was plugged into the web, you went to the carnival to escape your boring middle class life. Every carnival had a Zipper and it was a mean machine. I loved that they still had one in Coney Island. When I read it was leaving, my heart sank.
Did the story change at all from what you originally expected to capture?
That’s the understatement of all time. Yes. I set out to make this homage to my childhood and just make a short with the Zipper leaving. The guy who owned the Zipper ended up getting one more summer, so we kept filming through the summer of 2007. That fall, it was still bothering me that I didn’t really get what was happening politically. I kept digging and before you know it, it was a really big hole!
How was this different than making your last documentary, Muskrat Lovely?
Muskrat Lovely was dreamy. First, I was shooting in a remote town on the Chesapeake where the people we went to interview made us lunch and got mad if we didn’t wave to them while we were out getting B roll. The whole shoot schedule was 2 ½ weeks. And it was a contest, so you have a definitive beginning, middle and end. Zipper involved getting interviews with high-powered politicians, sneaking in to City Hall, dealing with crazy crack head carnies, schlepping to Kansas twice and then to Honduras, and trying to unravel a really complicated land use issue. Then for fun we told a parallel story and monkeyed with the timeline of events. Sheesh.
Many creatives have aspirations of making films. Did you find the transition from working as an art director to a director difficult?
It’s amazing how many skills you have that you don’t realize you have. There’s so much writing and promotional stuff to do, so it’s really helpful to already know how to do all that. Plus you are telling a story – something you have done a million times. The difficult part is that it is 7,000,000 times more work than you think it will be and you will basically have 2 full time jobs for the length of the project unless you take a big hunk of time off.
Did you direct anything in advertising first before moving onto your own projects?
No. When I first started freelancing I took the summer off and went to NYU and did their core curriculum for first year film students. Out of that came my first short, Beauty School. I made Muskrat Lovely a few years later. After that, I was signed to direct for a while, but it was at the height of the recession and A directors were taking C boards, so I certainly wasn’t getting anything. But I did do a few small projects for no money and it was a blast. I might try again…we’ll see. I don’t want to be a crappy director pooping out Vagisil commercials.
What's the weirdest thing you saw on the Coney Island boardwalk?
Not something I saw, but I’ve watched it a million times and it is the epitome of why Coney Island is magical and why I love it so much. My pal Charlie Denson from the Coney Island History Project shot it one day at Cha Cha’s, back before the city sterilized the boardwalk and they got kicked out. (Fun fact: Cha Cha’s tagline? Fun for the Hole Family)
Michael's photo by Jesse Untracht-Oakner
MICHAEL GREENBERG SPEAKING AT APPLE STORE SOHO
MICHAEL GREENBERG
SPEAKING AT
APPLE STORE SOHO
Award-winning photographer and WNW Member #1438 Michael Greenberg will be speaking at the Apple Store SoHo on Monday, July 22nd. He's appearing as part of the ADC Young Guns speaker series held monthly at Apple Stores around the world. Michael will be showing a range of work from clients like MTV, Footlocker, Deutsch, BBDO, Steve Madden, Sports Illustrated, and Spin Magazine.
Monday, July 22 2013
6:30pm
Apple Store SoHo
103 Prince Street, NYC
Are you a WNW member with new work to share? Email us.
NOT WORKING: ON LOVE
NOT WORKING: ON LOVE
Designer and WNW Member #940 Timothy Goodman has a fear of commitment and dates too many girls at once. His good friend, Jessica Walsh, is a hopeless romantic and jumps into relationships too quickly. They found themselves both single at the same time and are spending 40 days together in an attempt to change their bad dating habits. Check out the video above for the rules of this dating experiment. And follow their new "relationship" day-by-day on the 40 Days of Dating site.
Are you a WNW member with new work to share? Email us.
MEGAN SHEEHAN IN FAST COMPANY & CREATIVITY 50
MEGAN SHEEHAN
IN FAST COMPANY
& CREATIVITY 50
WNW Member #1146 Megan Sheehan and her former partner, Jill Applebaum, are racking up the accolades for their Oreo Daily Twist campaign. On the heels of being named #7 on Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People in Business – one ahead of Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston (Heisenberg!) – Megan also made an appearance on the Creativity 50. Not bad for playing with your food.
Etsy Brooklyn HQ Photo: Jonpaul Douglass
MEET ETSY
MEET ETSY
Randy Hunt • Creative Director
Location: Brooklyn (HQ) • Hudson, NY • San Francisco • Dublin • Berlin
Employees: About 500
1. Describe Etsy in 3 words.
Marketplace made together
2. What qualities are most important in a prospective freelancer?
Crisp, clear communication & ability to work with feedback.
3. Which social network do you prefer for stalking people, creative or otherwise?
Twitter. It's still the best.
4. What is one thing that creatives do on their portfolio sites that drives you crazy?
Side-to-side scrolling with little tiny hit areas on the interface.
5. What is your creative outlet?
Writing.
6. If you had to have a different job, in your current company, what would it be?
Cheerleader.
7. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
The baby steps scene in "What About Bob".
8. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?
http://wikipedia.org (best chance of any info I'd need to know)
http://facebook.com (though I loathe it, best chance of communicating with people)
http://zenhabits.net (keep me sane)
9. Any tips or advice for freelancers?
Please be good at communication. Really, really good.
10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?
News that Delaware has introduced Benefit Corporation legislation.
Designer: Melissa Deckert Photo: Jonpaul Douglass
Lettering: Lizzy Stewart Photo: Jonpaul Douglass
Designer: Jeremy Perez-Cruz Photo: Jonpaul Douglass
Etsy Brooklyn HQ Photo: Jonpaul Douglass
Etsy Brooklyn HQ Photo: Jonpaul Douglass
YVONNE CHENG HONORED BY CREATIVITY
YVONNE CHENG NAMED CREATIVE YOU SHOULD KNOW BY CREATIVITY
WNW Member #1980 Yvonne Cheng was just selected by Creativity as one of their Creatives You Should Know 2013. The freelance art director left her full-time job as an associate creative director at BBDO last week. You may have come across her site Unbaby.me, the browser extension that blocks babies from your Facebook feed. More recently, she created MyWhiteGirlName.com.
Read the full article about Yvonne on Creativity.
MEET #1412 JON CONTINO
MEET #1412 JON CONTINO
Illustrator/Designer/Letterer • New York, NY
New York native Jon Contino is widely know for his unique illustration style which combines old and new world aesthetics into a modern, minimalist style imitated the world over. His work reveals the influences of historical New York, contemporary street art, and the lost art of hand-drawn lettering. Through these images, his story is also told as designer and consultant for many brands including Nike, Jack Daniels, JCPenney, New Balance, Rachael Ray, and Random House, as well as the co-founder and creative director of CXXVI Clothing Co.
1. How long have you been freelancing?
I started freelancing as a part time job in 1997 and worked through high school and college doing stuff for small businesses and independent record labels. I bounced around a couple agencies in 2005 and 2006 until I opened a studio that lasted until 2010. I went back to full time freelancing in early 2010 and haven't looked back.
2. Is there a time or place that you feel most creative/have the best ideas?
I used to think it was late at night because that's when I get the highest volume of work done, but I realized that's just because no one is emailing me or calling at 3am. Once I realized that, I found out that my actual flow of ideas is pretty constant throughout the day, it's just a matter of finding the time to get them on paper.
3. What's your ideal Working:Not Working ratio?
It used to be 100:0, but now that I'm a dad, it should probably be less than that.
4. Do your parents understand what you do?
I'm one of those lucky people that have great parents that are not only supportive, but completely understand what happens in my professional life. Both my mother and father are creative people so they're always interested in what's going on. The best part about it though is that I get to learn a lot from them instead of rolling my eyes and making up stuff to get them off my back.
5. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
One of the opening scenes from Artie Lange's Beer League when the old pitcher yells to the dugout "Hey, I don't want any of you Italians drinking out of my water bottle!" It's a quick little joke, but it kills me every time I think about it.
6. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?
Lookwork — For looking at stuff to inspire.
Svpply — For looking at stuff to buy.
Tumblr — For looking at whatever else.
7. What do you do when Not Working?
There's one of three things that I like doing when I'm not working: Spend time with my family, play Wiffle Ball, and go to the beach. Sometimes I can do all three at the same time.
8. Do you have a hidden talent?
Funny I should mention Wiffle Ball in the previous answer, because my hidden talent is that I am the greatest Wiffle Ball player OF ALL TIME.
9. Any tips or advice for fellow freelancers?
Freelance means you have no job security. No matter how popular you get, do not forget that. YOU HAVE NO JOB SECURITY. Don't get lazy.
10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?
I've been really into the new version of Flipboard on the iPad. It lets you create "magazines" from just about any source so I've jumped ship from my Tumblr inspiration blog to a Flipboard magazine and love every second of it. It feels a lot more tactile in the magazine format with the handheld screen, so curating stuff is a lot more satisfying. If you're reading this on an iOS device, then you can see my Flipboard magazine "BORN FREE" at this link: http://flip.it/3wuot
CXXVI Clothing Co.
Owner and co-founder of New York-based menswear line CXXVI Clothing Co. Creative direction, branding, apparel design, illustration, engraving, and accessory design.
Illustration and Lettering: A Hands-on Approach to Label Design
On May 13, Jon will begin teaching a two-week Skillshare class on hand-drawn label design. There will be a bunch of video lectures detailing research and inspiration, sketching concepts, brand development, and how to approach creating awesome labels with your own two hands.Jon's Studio
Are you a WNW member with new work to share? Email us.
HOW TO BE A HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL CREATIVE FREELANCER
HOW TO BE A HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL CREATIVE FREELANCER
(OR WORK WITH ONE)
This comprehensive article about living freelance life to the fullest by Rae Ann Fera originally appeared on Fast Company in September 2012. Many of WNW's finest were interviewed for the piece. It's a must read for any independent creative or if you're considering making the jump.
Freelancers share their best practices for being their own boss, and why you should so totally just do it.
When talking to creative freelancers, there’s one phrase that’s often repeated: “I don’t mean to sound cheesy or cliché but…” What follows that "but" ranges from waxing lyrical about the ability to control the professional and personal work they do, to an appreciation of work-life balance, to a full-on embrace of occupational joy and diversity. “It sounds cheesy, but if I’m not having fun, I’m not happy.”
That many freelancers sound like they have to defend their chosen career path says something about the state of the work world. It’s as if being satisfied in your work and how you go about it is something to feel guilty about; like somehow being your own boss is equated with not having a real job and faffing about in your jammies; as if in order to do real work you have toil away at a "stable" job with an office and its attendant politics. But, really, it’s the full-timers who should be defending the act of working at a desk inside a big office. Because, as we know, the state of work is changing.
As Fast Company has documented at length in its Generation Flux series, work can’t be defined in the old ways.
The pace of change in business and culture is breakneck, and predicting what that job at that big company is going to look like next year, or what creative opportunities are going to present themselves to you, more difficult. As noted in Generation Flux: "what defines GenFlux is a mind-set that embraces instability, that tolerates--and even enjoys--recalibrating careers, business models, and assumptions." It’s a mind-set that’s shared by people who choose to pursue a self-driven creative career.
But what advice do successful freelancers give in terms of actually living and working this way? Mainly: get over it and just do it. While working independently is not all lollipops and rainbows, what with the added responsibilities of business finances, the stress of erratic income, and the unpleasant prospects of hustling for work, freelancers will tell you that the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
We solicited the opinions of nearly a dozen creative freelancers, from the established to the newly independent, to get the skinny on being your own boss. They shared candid insights on everything from building their own personal brand, to the ways in which they choose and create their work; from the sharing tips on navigating the annoying bits like finances (spoiler alert: get a great accountant), to the lifestyle perks that seem to trump the pain of going it alone. Here are their insights.
BECOMING A FREELANCER
Since the purpose of this exploration was to gain insight on how to be a happy and successful creative freelancer, we surveyed a range of creative people, including agency writers and art directors, developers, designers and digital creative directors. Known for a specific expertise, their freelance work has followed the path they forged while working full-time. In fact, that’s the biggest piece of advice for those looking to take the leap: work in your chosen industry for long enough to establish contacts and gain experience. Then, follow the work you want.
"I’d say don’t start freelancing until you’ve done at least five years in the business you’re freelancing in,” says Tom Christmann, a longtime agency executive creative director who struck out on his own two years ago and balances his time between ad work and creating comic books, graphic novels and designing games.
Tim Geoghegan, also a former agency creative exec and now a global nomad who’s been known to work from a hut in Bali, agrees: “Build a strong reputation first. Don’t destroy that reputation while freelancing. Try not to burn bridges. Know your strengths and weaknesses. They’ll become very clear and exponentially stronger and weaker while freelancing.”
But experience alone won’t necessarily cut it, says Kerem Suer, an independent UX/IA designer who started freelancing so he could “work hard and play harder.” He recommends some serious research before setting out on your own. “Freelancing is not that fun little side thing you do, it’s a job and it comes with responsibilities. So a little market research wouldn’t hurt.”
Being as prepared as possible will help when that panic of the unknown strikes. And it will. But, according to art director Daniel Shapiro, who initially started freelancing as a way to look for a solid full-time job he could settle into, “The unknown is what makes it both challenging and enjoyable. It will be slow at first and it will terrify you but try and relax and enjoy the time because once you’re busy you probably will be for a long time.”
BUILDING YOUR OWN BRAND
Let’s face it, talking about yourself in "brand" terms can be a bit unsavory. Yet, it’s a necessary evil, particularly when striking out on your own. Whether creating a corporate entity under which to operate, or rocking it as a sole proprietor, freelancers need to ensure they’re consistently in front of prospective clients.
“I always felt weird networking and selling myself, but I’ve found it’s a necessity,” says Geoghegan. “When I first started in this business, the rule was ‘let your work speak for itself.' To a point, it’s still true. But the chances are, even if you think you’re top of people’s mind, you’re not. You just have to promote yourself and point to your track record.”
The most important reason to spend some time being fully employed in your field of choice is to build such a network of friends in hiring positions so work can come from word of mouth and referrals. Because the alternatives can be a bit dicey.
“Online freelancing services are a last resort to me for finding work, mostly because they come across as cut-and-dry projects thrown out to the masses for the lowest bidder,” offers developer Nick Jonas. “While I’m sure one can find some great opportunities on sites like Krop or AuthenticJobs, they are like the E-Harmony of the creative professional world. I’m more keen on working with someone I’ve established a sense of trust with, whether it’s a 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree connection.”
But that doesn’t mean all online networks deserve the same dismissal. New breed services like Working Not Working (with its simple mechanism for letting ad creatives broadcast their availability status), The Supply (which specializes in representing and placing highly specialized digital talent), and The Idealists (a tightly curated community of talent and clients that allows for creative matchmaking), as well as sites like Dribbble and Scoutzie, all provide more connections-based ways for freelancers to find the right work.
While on the topic, don’t even get freelancers, particularly designers, started on the topic of crowdsourcing. Quickly hailed as a new way for clients to tap (exploit?) the power of the masses, crowdsourcing is generally seen as a scourge by many of those who are paid for their ideas.
“I don’t, and would never, use a crowdsourcing platform or site,” says Justin Gignac, who, along with fellow art director Adam Tompkins founded the aforementioned Working Not Working and who also made art out of New York garbage. “Creatives should get paid for the work they do and not be throwing work into the mix in hopes of ‘winning’ and getting paid.”
Still, no matter how work is scored, the biggest boost to a freelancer’s personal brand is the most basic. “Work hard and be nice,” says Shapiro. “The more people you work with the more chances you have to make a positive impression. People who do a good job are talked about, and so are the people who don’t.”
“Networking is very important, but being a good human is number one. No one wants to work with an asshole,” offers digital art director Katie Meza, and Gignac adds: “Don’t be an asshole. It’s not just about being talented anymore. People will only call back freelancers they actually want to work with.”
We’re sensing a theme here.
DOING THE WORK
So what does the work life of a freelancer look like? It entirely depends. Some choose to work in-house at various agencies, taking one gig at a time, while others insist on working from their own space and handling multiple projects at a time. No matter the chosen path or clients, freelancers say be sure set limits on your work--a difficult thing for creatives accustomed to high-demand work environments.
“I would say one of the biggest challenges with freelancing at an agency is setting and maintaining limits,” says creative director and art director Kim Haxton. “You are getting paid for something that you agreed to in advance, and of course because of the nature of advertising, something will inevitably change, you’ll be asked to work longer hours, you’ll be asked to take on more than was initially explained to you. If you’re not tough, it’s easy to get taken advantage of.”
The best agencies to work with, she says, are the ones that realize the situation they are putting you into. “They take the time to brief you properly. They give you access to all of the shop’s resources, and they are realistic with their expectations. That is the best way to set up a freelancer to succeed.”
The in-house or in-your-own-house question is dependent on both the freelancer’s preference and the client’s needs.
“I won’t work on-site. I’ve lost some opportunities because of this, but really people want you to be within their sight because they want to babysit you,” says says front-end developer and creative technologist Mike Bodge, who started his career as the “first digital guy at JWT." “These are the clients that suck. I will go in for meetings and reviews and stuff, but any real work I will do in my own office. I have my setup all perfect, and the best environment for me to work.”
“Everyone in this business knows the real thinking happens away from the desk and out of the meeting rooms. The best creative resource managers understand this," offers Geoghegan. "There’s a very real, professional way to manage a 'loose’ creative process by using check-ins and strict deadlines. Then again, face-to-face and spontaneous interactions are often essential as well. That’s why I like new workspace situations like Co Collective’s Grind or Wework. I think that’s closer to the future of how we’ll all work.”
If the choice is to work from home, limits need to be set there, as well. “It’s really important to have a separate office area,” says Haxton. “You can’t work from your bedroom, or your living room. You have to be able to feel like you’re not at home. Otherwise, you’ll just get distracted, and end up vacuuming or something. You really have to pretend that you are away from home, at work.”
For Christmann, “a comfortable chair, Spotify, Black Sabbath and a pair of noise-canceling headphones” turns any physical space into the perfect workspace.
That decision, whether to step into an office culture or work alongside it, can have an impact the level of collaboration on a project, though most freelancers say they feel a part of whatever creative process they’re working in (with the occasional comment about being a hired hand for certain jobs). But for Geoghegan, being slightly detached has its privileges. “I’ve learned to just let go more. To present ideas I love, to fight for them of course, but to know when to let go. It’s like a breath of fresh air when you’re actually paid to… let go.”
Tompkins agrees: “I value the constant change. I never liked getting too involved with one client or another. The longer you work on a project, the more politics you are exposed to. At a certain point, it’s hard to not get involved and it’s never good for the finished product. As a freelancer, it’s easier to float above that stuff, seemingly ignorant to its existence.”
THE PROCESS OF BEING CREATIVE
Unlike other professions, being creative for a living is a nuanced alchemy of working to a creative brief, inspiration, talent, and perhaps a bit of eye of newt. Which is to say, it’s impossible to define how exactly to be creative. That said, the freelancers we spoke with have all devised a custom-fit routine that allows them to work at full capacity, whether it’s the ability to take a walk outside, as valued by Haxton, or the ability to work in your unmentionables (“Someone is paying you to click around on your computer while you’re in your underwear. Never forget that privilege,” says Bodge.)
“It’s important to have a routine rather than simply work when the mood strikes--sometimes the mood may never strike and work just won’t get done,” offers Jonas. “Remaining focused is always challenging, and I think highly depends on the work environment you put yourself in and staying healthy and active outside of work. It’s hard to stay focused in a noisy and distracting work environment, and equally hard with little sleep and exercise.”
Bodge divides his time up between "concentration days," where he follows a strict schedule to allow for uninterrupted thought and doesn’t talk to anyone, and "random stuff days," which involve calls, writing proposals and client revisions. “I hate these days the most,” he says. Regardless, he tries not to work past 6p.m. “I don’t believe working later makes me more productive. If you have to work long hours it’s because you have unreasonable deadlines or you’re not working efficiently.”
Christmann says he’s a big believer in quantity over quality when it comes to idea generating. “I try to get four ideas in the morning and four in the afternoon. It makes it a game. So after three days, I’ll have 24 ideas that are all on brief and pretty good. Once I’m in crafting mode, when I can see an idea becoming real, a great idea is inspiring.”
It’d be near unfathomable to talk about setting your own work schedule without meeting a few night owls. Suer is one such, and he takes this idea to the extreme. “My creative process is not really that different than when I worked full-time, but timing is almost opposite. I now work night shifts where there are no email or phone distractions. But my wife’s schedule is also helping the situation, as she’s a night shift nurse.”
“I’m more productive at night when there are less distractions and my brain has slowed down a bit. Between emails and iChat and the Internet it’s more of a challenge to be efficient during the day,” says Gignac, adding that for him, motivation and productivity are sometimes at odds. “I’m motivated by all of the amazing, inspiring and envy inducing things I see on the Internet all day. Which are the same amazing, inspiring things that make it so difficult to stay focused during the day.”
And what of that all-important motivation? It seems that when the choice of work is theirs, freelancers find motivation comes a little more readily.
“Motivation is easy. I’m always motivated to do a good job, no matter what I do, because I don’t consider what I do separate from who I am. It reflects on how I feel about ideas, people, and life itself,” says digital creative director Sheena Matheiken, who is behind the popular Uniform Project. “Inspiration, on the other hand, is a tougher beast. It has to be nurtured, molded, left alone, brought back to life, wrestled with, caressed, fussed over… all of that and more.”
Tompkins, who describes himself as a binge and purge freelancer, says success is his motivator. “Every creative wants to win. If you solve a problem for a client and it’s your work that gets produced, and that work helps them (or wins an award for being especially creative), that is success. Success is the same for everyone. More work, better work, more money, personal satisfaction and growth. Happy parents that brag about you. It’s all good.”
BUILDING YOUR OFFICE
There is one very distinct pleasure that freelancers find when they first establish themselves: the ability to go tech-toy shopping and write the spree off at tax time.
Says Bodge, “Having a great setup at home was always important to me even before I was a freelancer but now buying toys is fun because I can just tell my wife it’s for work and it’s a tax write-off.”
Shock of shocks, the freelance contingent we spoke to are doing their part to keep Apple stocks nice and high. MacBook pros are the central nervous system of choice, though whether or not a dual-screen 27” cinema display is part of the packaged depends largely on the creative focus. “My Mac Pro with dual 27” screens and Aeron chair is my cockpit and I see these screens more than I see the back of my own eyelids,” says developer Bodge. “It’s a seriously pimped out machine that can handle anything I throw at it. Never be cheap with your computer or chair if that’s your job.” Some creatives, on the other hand, prefer smaller gear for those days when working in the garden at MoMA is a must.
Adobe also fares well at the hands of creative freelancers ("I would have no possible way to make money in this world if it wasn’t for Adobe. I can’t build anything with my hands, I’m a horrible rapper. Trading .PSD files for money is the only way I can keep my lights on,” adds Bodge.)
Other common indispensables include Basecamp for project management, Harvest for time-tracking and invoicing, Wallet for password management, Actionmethod or Evernote for note keeping, Google apps for remote collaboration, and Spotify or Rdio for tunes, of course. And calendars, says Suer, who admits that his super-specific planning has resulted in friends calling him a “schedule Nazi”.
GETTING PAID
The love-hate relationship of working as a creative freelancer can be broken down simply: art vs. math.
No surprise, but some creative people don’t much like math; they prefer creative variety, meeting new people, being stimulated by environments, a lack of office politics, having ownership of their own success, free time in between jobs and the ability to work on personal projects. Things become a drag when billing, IT, accounting, health insurance and other logistical matters enter the picture.
“There’s a reason we became creatives and not business people, because we’d be terrible business people,” says Gignac.
“There are so many formalities, paperwork, technicalities and math. This is not why I went to art school,” echoes Suer.
But according to our freelancers, it’s worth sucking up as a tradeoff for the freedom and flexibility of freelancing, though not without a word of caution: have about six months cash in hand before making the jump.
“Overextending yourself can have real implications, and not having a certain amount of liquid cash on hand can mean you miss a deal to invest in one of your own projects,” cautions Geoghegan, who also recommends invoicing quickly, clarifying details up front and staying up to date on COBRA payments. Freelancers Union is also valued by freelancers when it comes to insurance.
And then there’s the question of setting your rate. Like the noxious Honey Boo Boo, freelancers gots to get paid, the difference being, of course, that creative professionals tend to shy away from the topic.
“Set your rate competitively, with a lot of consideration. Then, never go down on that rate. Your rate is how you value yourself and that is how others will value you,” says Geoghegan. “And a day rate might seem like a lot, but when you factor in taxes, expenses, chances of not getting the next gig quickly, it evens out. The only time I’d go down on rate is if I’m invested financially in a project, or it’s an opportunity outside of advertising that will benefit me more in experience more than financially.”
Bodge insists that freelancers should never work for free. Ever. “Once someone knows they can get free work from you, they will expect it in the future. Make sure you have a simple but beautiful portfolio that shows off your work. This is what will get people to call you.”
Matheiken views her rate strategically. “Always say yes to gigs you feel excited about, even if they can’t meet your standard rate. If you choose those gigs wisely, working for less money can actually put you in a position of power. I make it a point to negotiate this by buying myself more flexibility and time in return for a lower rate. It almost always works. The clients are appreciative of the deal you are cutting them because you are excited about their business, product or whatever it may be. And that eventually leads to more work, at your standard rate.”
The final bit of logistical advice is rather simple, according to Meza: “Get a bomb-ass tax ninja!” Taxes will often come as a shock to first-year freelancers, but saving money for the tax man and working with someone who’s skilled at eking out the best deductions for creative professionals is simply a no-brainer. “Work with them to figure out how to pay your quarterly taxes. And also start to save your receipts for everything,” adds Haxton. “As a freelancer, you have a much higher percentage of getting audited.”
IN SEARCH OF WORK-LIFE BALANCE
The dream of freelance is sold on the promise of work-life balance. Take a month off after a tough gig! Spend more time with the kids! Finally work on that backlog of personal projects!! All noble aims and the best reasons for anyone to take a less defined career path. So what of the infamous freedom of freelance? Living the dream takes work and a large dose of discipline.
“I just worked through my second vacation in a row, so I may be a workaholic,” says Christmann. “But having breakfast with the family every day and making my own schedule has been amazing. And yes, I still get nervous when the work dries up. But then it comes again and I’m like “why didn’t I enjoy the down time?” Maybe someday I’ll learn.”
Yes, time management is a perennial bugbear when it comes to striking the balance between professional and personal work. No one wants to say no to interesting work, and the fear of not making enough money can lead to less than ideal gigs.
“I still tend to take on too much work at a time. Even though I’ve been saying no to a lot of agency work, I’ve said yes to a lot of independent projects--mostly because it’s stuff I actually want to work on. But now that I’ve got so many projects, each one is probably going to be a little less good, and therefore satisfying to work on because I have to divide my time,” confesses Haxton, sharing the creative risk of over-booking.
“When you’re freelance, you take on 2 or 3 projects and you get 2 or 3 times the money. But you have to be sure you have the bandwidth. Sometimes you bite off more than you can chew. I’ve learned to say no. But it still burns,” says Christmann.
It seems the key to successfully balancing interesting work with a better quality of life comes in not worrying about money, counterintuitive as it might be.
“I don’t freelance for the money right now,” says Geoghegan. “Downtime is so important. It’s a necessity to refuel and recharge. The amount of time between projects can revitalize you, de-stress you, fill you with new ideas and expose you to a lot more stimuli than if you were stuck in an office on 5 projects at a time, every single day. That’s what breaks people, burns them out, and causes most full-time positions to average about 2 years. That’s the antithesis of what a creative industry needs.”
Matheiken says it’s been really important to not stress about money. “When I decided to go independent, I made a very strict rule about only working 50% for money and dedicating the other 50% to personal projects and other collaborations that I truly cared about. I can honestly say I’ve stuck to this plan so far, except that instead of 50/50 it’s been more like 80/80. And yet, there is no stress. I quite enjoy everything I’m doing right now. Of course, when I’m done with current projects I’ll take a month off. Knowing that you can do that is in itself half the reward, and the main reason to be freelancing after all.”
“You’ve got to learn to relax in the downtime or it will drive you mad,” says Shapiro. “After a few months of freelancing you begin to see how the industry cycles. The sooner you realize this the sooner you can relax.”
“In the end you have to do what makes you happy. Life’s too short, and if you’re not happy at your current situation, know that you have the power to change it into whatever you want. You just have to be brave,” adds Meza.
Gignac puts the question of balance in plainer terms. “Remember you can say no. You don’t have to take a job you don’t think is right for you and don’t want to do. You don’t have to work weekends. You don’t have to cancel family vacations or birthday dinners or plans with friends. You’re in control of your life and your schedule.”
BEYOND THE CLICHÉ OF FREEDOM
For this group of creative freelancers, the overriding sentiment is one of satisfaction. Sure there are annoying bits, but with curiosity, a good work ethic and the commitment to consistently producing good work, freelancing can be extremely fulfilling.
“I seriously don’t know why more people aren’t doing this,” says Matheiken. “I know too many talented people stuck at unhappy full-time gigs under the false pretext of security or comfort or whatever they rationalize it to be. Being independent brings a new sense of openness, which is incredibly nourishing for creativity. I am suddenly open to the world, to new ideas, to new friends, to new opportunities; everything has an enriching possibility.”
And that, says Geoghegan is exactly what the creative world needs more of. “We need that to be the driving feeling for everyone in a creative business. Freedom. The freedom to break out of every boundary including our antiquated working model. It would make the business much more creative, and contrary to perception, much more productive.”
And happy. As if providing the perfect endnote, Gignac recounts a story about Australian nurse Bronnie Ware who had spent several years caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. “She recorded their epiphanies in a book called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying," he says. “Number one on the list: I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. And number two: I wish I hadn’t worked so hard. These people know what they’re talking about. We should listen.”
MEET #324 TUESDAY BASSEN
MEET #324
TUESDAY BASSEN
Illustrator/Designer/Art Director • New York, NY
Freelance Illustrator, Designer, and Art Director who makes unusual + cheerful illustrations for companies, plus ceramics and products for her own line.
1. How long have you been freelancing?
I've been freelancing since I graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2011.
2. Is there a time or place that you feel most creative/have the best ideas?
I feel most creative when I'm traveling alone and feeling slightly uncomfortable--I have a heightened sense of awareness when I'm somewhere new and it lends itself to satire well. Discomfort is hard to purposefully seek out, but I think it's important in becoming a well-versed artist and person. Put some hair on your chest.
3. What's your ideal Working:Not Working ratio?
It's hard to maintain an even ratio because you can't control when you get work. The old adage "When it rains, it pours" holds true.
That said, when I'm not doing client work, I focus my efforts into personal projects. I make ceramics for my online shop and I publish a zine called "Miserable and Worthless," with fellow designer Lindsay Eyth.
4. Do your parents understand what you do?
Yeah! They're very supportive of me and my work. I think it helps that they're both creative in their own ways-- My dad is a dog trainer and musician; My mom paints pottery. You should see their house!
5. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
I'm going to do that annoying thing and not ACTUALLY answer your question because the first thing that came to mind wasn't a movie, but a YouTube clip of Keenan Cahill singing Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream." He's just SO EARNEST. I almost crashed my car once when Teenage Dream came on the radio because I was laugh-crying so hard thinking about it.
Also, there's a Tig Notaro sketch where she recalls someone stopping her on the street and exclaiming "HUH! Them-a little titties! I thought you was a man!"--my boyfriend knows that if I'm chuckling to myself, I'm definitely thinking about Tig Notaro.
High-brow stuff, eh?
6. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?
Wifi on the desert island! Man, that's a 21st century first-world problem. Like the rest of us, I mostly browse Facebook, my email, and Twitter, so let's go with more interesting options:
gotagirlcrush.com -- Curated by my friends Meg and Andrea, this is a great source for finding and appreciating work by talented women. I think that sites like GAGC are very important because I still hear things like "I'd hire a female designer, I just don't know who's good." Now you know, so no more excuses.
sheaff-ephemera.com -- For vintage ephemera. The best!
DesignSponge.com -- Grace really has her finger on the pulse of everything DIY, small business-y, and visually pleasing. And she rescued my kitty, which permanently puts her in my good graces!
7. What do you do when not working?
Lately, I've been spending my moments "Not Working" by working on design and illustration for my boyfriend Jansen's tape label, Mirror Universe, and making zines. It feels good to be busy!
8. Do you have a hidden talent?
I can touch my tongue to my nose!
9. Any tips or advice for fellow freelancers?
A lot of people are going to give you well-meaning (and often unsolicited) advice, but you should pay attention to your own personal and professional needs. This might sound like a no-brainer, but it's easy to look to others for guidance and lose sight of what you're about, what you're doing, and what you want to achieve. Make passion happen and don't let any nay-sayers get in the way! (But also think about this: haters gonna bring up some good points.)
10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?
publicdomainreview.org is something that I periodically re-discover and it is always awesome to sort through.
Ceramics
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MEET #30 TODD LAMB
MEET #30 TODD LAMB
Writer/Director/Creative Director • New York, NY
Worked at Google Creative Lab, Mother NY, W+K and Goodby. Created "Notes From Chris" and developed TV pilots and scripts for NBC, Adult Swim and Sundance Channel.
1. How long have you been freelancing?
Since 2007. Longer than I anticipated when I left a staff job that year. Now I see a larger shift where freelance/project basis is becoming the standard for creative people.
2. Is there a time or place that you feel most creative/have the best ideas?
Morning. I need coffee and silence to come up with ideas. Then I put on good music to grow those ideas.
3. What's your ideal Working:Not Working ratio?
70% Working on things I care about.
30% Not working.
0% Working at Halliburton with Dick Cheney.
4. Do your parents understand what you do?
I don’t strive for that. If I was looking for my parents approval, I’d be a dentist with a law degree.
5. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
I’m a comedy nerd, so I’ll give you two: The scene in Woody Allen’s Broadway Danny Rose where he’s coaching a professional balloon folder. And the scene in Albert Brooks’s Lost In America where he’s begging a casino boss for his money back.
6. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?
NYTimes.com (I subscribe to the paper and I read it online.)
My Google account (Google Docs, Chat and Gmail are the center of any production or project that I do.)
RobertPollard.net The man behind the band Guided By Voices. He has a thousand other musical side projects and spin-off bands. He makes his own album art with collages. He puts out like 12 albums a year, and never lets up. The guy is always making something new, and 95% of it is amazing. He’s a big inspiration to me.
7. What do you do when Not Working?
I do lots of other creative projects. I recently produced a female human being – my wife and I had a baby girl. So that’s a project I’m working on. I tend to work on it at 3:30 AM.
And I’m currently working on a web series with NYC fashion designer Rachel Comey. In April, we’ll start a livestream series featuring NYC’s best female comedians and storytellers. One performance per week will livestream on RachelComey.com. It starts on April 4th at 4pm with Starlee Kine (from NPR’s This American Life) and the next one is on April 11th at 4pm with Carrie Brownstein (Portlandia, Sleater Kinney).
8. Do you have a hidden talent?
After 13 years of meetings, I can spot the bullshit artists in two sentences or less. I call them “bad actors”. We’re all making it up as we go. But some people are better actors than others. The bad actors don’t offer much to the situation. If you’re not sure, a distinct sign is when they repeat what the guy before them said – but in vaguely different words.
9. Any tips or advice for fellow freelancers?
Don’t wear cologne. It’s nauseating.
10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?
Matador Records produced a music video for Kurt Vile’s upcoming album, featuring Steve ESPO Powers. It’s part music video / part documentary. The painted sign that ESPO made acts as three things: the album’s cover art, the music video, and the “commercial” for the album. I love the song and I love the idea. I’m usually only jealous of comedy, but I wish I did it.
Time lapse music video portion / Documentary portion
Notes from Chris
What started as a single note hung outside my apartment, became an online meme posted as far away as Australia. Featured frequently on Funny or Die and The Huffington Post, these are notes posted around NYC by a fictional character – a lonely man named Chris. Chris has lots of problems. He loves snacks. Visit the Pinterest board to see the gallery of notes I've created over the past four years.
Guided by Voices Music Video
A Guided By Voices video I directed for Fire Records. Featuring Jon Glaser from Delocated, Late Night With Conan O' Brian and Parks and Recreation.
Google+ Muppets
TV commercial for Google+ Hangouts. Created while at Google Creative Lab.
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MEET ZAMBEZI LA
MEET ZAMBEZI LA
Brittany Schmitt : Creative Manager
Employees: 61
Clients: 2K Sports, Champs Sports, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Ashworth, popchips, Strongbow, Glaceau, Eastbay, WSOP.com, E! Entertainment, Gold Peak Tea
1. Describe Zambezi in 3 words.
Big. Ideas. Win.
2. What qualities are most important in a prospective freelancer?
Be fast, good and passionate. Take your work seriously, but never yourself. We work in an amazing, progressive industry; embrace it, stay educated, move it forward and take pride in everything you do.
3. Which social network do you prefer for stalking people, creative or otherwise?
Well I am undoubtedly addicted to Facebook, but honestly, I don’t stalk anyone who wants to work here. I would never want anyone to judge me based on my social networks before they meet me. I save it for when they get here. Then I like every status/picture/update they ever post and comment on everything like a distant relative who shouldn’t be on Facebook in the first place.
4. What is one thing that creatives do on their portfolio sites that drives you crazy?
Not have their email on their site, like, what am I supposed to do? Shoot up a smoke signal and hope they come running? It’s like online shopping without a checkout. (Read: torture.)
5. What is your creative outlet?
I write. I have a blog and I’m working on a book about how catastrophically hilarious my life has been. I like when my life is going right and takes a hard left, it’s entertaining. So I tell people about it.
6. If you had to have a different job, in your current agency, what would it be?
I honestly love what I do now, but I could see myself writing too.
7. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
Step Brothers. That whole movie is just the best. “I’m not going to call him dad, EVER! Not even if there’s a fire.”
8. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?
8 tracks, Funny or Die and ESPN.com. Music, laughter, sports—is there really more to life? Also, I know you didn’t ask, but I’d like Johnny Depp and a barrel of rum there too.
9. Any tips or advice for freelancers?
Call me maybe?
But seriously, at least look at the agency’s website and familiarize yourself with our work before you meet with us. There’s nothing more awkward than asking someone, “What’s your favorite piece of work we’ve produced?” and they can’t name a thing. Total Buzzkillington.
10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?
March Madness brackets of course. #gomarquette (watch them lose before this even goes up…)
MEET #96 IVAN CASH
MEET #96 IVAN CASH
Art Director • San Francisco, CA
Creator of Selfless Portraits, Snail Mail My Email, Occupy George, & Coke Sitelets.
1. How long have you been freelancing?
I have been freelancing since the Summer of 2011, and have also freelanced in between gigs in the past. Man, freelancing is the best! It provides a great work/life balance, meaning I'm happier and (hopefully) more pleasant to work with and be around. My work is stronger because of that balance as well. I know it's not for everyone, but I really love the relative chaos: the uncertainty and constant change that the freelance lifestyle provides.
2. Is there a time or place that you feel most creative/have the best ideas?
I've noticed over time that I actually get my best ideas when lying down horizontally. As silly as that sounds, it's true! The skeleton idea for Selfless Portraits came minutes after I lied down on the floor of a Facebook conference room for the first time, after weeks of prior concepting!
I now make a point of doing this. Going on walks is also helpful for me to clear my mind. I'm usually most creatively driven at night, so sometimes I'll just stay up really late, jamming at my shared studio space. I also often go back to my creative inspiration blog, shwizle.tumblr.com.
3. What's your ideal Working:Not Working ratio?
Ideal ratio?? Do you REALLY want to know my IDEAL ratio??? Haha...Realistically, I'm happy when I can get it to be about 50/50 or 40/60. But you've gotta understand that when I'm not working, that really just means I'm working on my passion projects! So in a way, I'm always working...
4. Do your parents understand what you do?
Love this question! :) I actually think that they do understand what I do, moreso than most. My father is an artist and together with my mom, they both fostered a very creative and encouraging environment to grow up in. I probably shouldn't be saying this, but when I was home for the Holidays most recently and had some freelance concepting work to do, I ended up sharing the assignment with my dad and little brother, and the three of us sat around concepting for an hour or two. I paid them for their time and they were stoked. Their ideas weren't really on brief, but it was so much fun to include them in on the process.
5. What scene from a movie makes you laugh just thinking about it?
Hands down, the chat scene from Miranda July's film, "You, Me, and Everyone We Know" which is so hilariously weird: ))<>(( !!!
6. If you were stranded on a desert island, with your computer, what 3 websites would you take with you?
Facebook, Gmail, and Tumblr come to mind, but I suppose you want something juicier...
1) NBA League Pass so I could continue to watch the New York Knicks dominate!! :)
2) Notcot.org so I could continue soaking up inspiring creative content.
3) Syntheticpubes.com, 'nuff said. (Editor's Note: NSFW)
7. What do you do when Not Working?
I just got back from an intense month-long silent meditation retreat, and meditation—any sort of mindfulness practice really—is a big interest of mine. Training the mind to be more present and therefore open and spontaneous beautifully compliments the creative process. I highly recommend meditation to any and all creatively-minded folks.
When I'm not working in the sense of "working" implying making money, I'm most often spending time on personal art projects that result in great amounts of creative satisfaction and end up serving as strong promotional material I've found as well.
I also play pick up basketball every Saturday.
8. Do you have a hidden talent?
I'm a pretty decent pool player. Back in college, my game was more polished and I ended up getting paid by the school to serve as resident "Pool Pro" and teach pool to other students, haha. I would have said I'm a decent ping pong player, until Justin stole my thunder in a three game pillage.
Oh, and I make mediocre mashups under the alias "Aptly Last Named." (Get it??) aptlylastnamed.bandcamp.com
9. Any tips or advice for fellow freelancers?
Yes, actually!
1) Life is all about human relationships and freelancing is no different. So many of the gigs I receive—even the ones through WNW—are from someone I know or a contact of someone I know. The creative world is a small one, and I feel lucky to have lots of friends in it. Networking should never be a forced thing. I look at it like this: I am passionate about creativity and love to connect with others who share that passion. I'll often send emails to people I've never met, just letting them know I'm a fan of their work, with no intention of receiving anything in return. But then, I've found—a year or two later, they might think of me for a certain gig or something. But the key is that, even if they don't—even if I never hear from them again, that's totally fine! I believe that fostering healthy, happy human relationships is even more important than creating great work! I double dare you to find a creative whose work you admire and send them a complimentary email (or even better, handwritten letter!)
2) Be active in creating personal projects related to the kind of work you want to do. Then share that work with creative friends and blogs. Really make sure it's related to what you want to do though—I get inquiries every week or two to design infographics because of the parody "Infographic of Infographics" I created a few years ago, and have to tell every person that I don't actually take on infographic design gigs.
3) Always work with a contract and talk about money up front. Being clear and setting expectations early on really minimzes the chance of things going sour. I've learned this the hard way of course.
4) Use WNW of course!!! ;)
10. What's your favorite thing on the internet this week?
I just got back from retreat so I can't speak for this past week. But I do know of a hidden gem that is the animated gifs that my friend Cari Vander Yacht creates.
Oh, and I guess I can think of one thing that's timely: the Scope Bacon Mouth Wash April Fools prank is pretty awesome. I just wish they had made it into an actual product!
Selfless Portraits
Selfless Portraits is a collaborative art project I designed and co-created where strangers across the world draw each other's Facebook profile pics. So far, over 16,000 drawings have been submitted from over 115 countries.
Co-Creator: Jeff Greenspan Producer: Luis Peña Developer: Rally Interactive
Snail Mail My Email
Snail Mail My Email is a collaborative art project where volunteers handwrite strangers’ emails and send physical letters to the intended recipients, free of charge. A total of 431 volunteers have artistically interpreted and collectively sent 13,968 letters across the world since the project began in 2011. Snail Mail My Email, the book, was published in 2012 and contains the most notable letters from the projects first iteration.
Occupy George
By circulating dollar bills stamped with fact-based infographics, Occupy George informs the public of America's daunting economic disparity one bill at a time.
Co-created with Andy Dao
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