WNW Member #2245 Lauren Hom's super cheeky, Webby-winning blog Daily Dishonesty has just been released in book form. Published by Abrams, Daily Dishonesty hits shelves today. The hilarious and stylish collection features over 150 "beautiful little lies we tell ourselves every day," reveling in an array of familiar phrases of self-denial. Buy the hardcover or eBook here.
Elisa Tan, Christine Gignac, Julia Neumann, Laura Fegley, Alison Tsoi (left to right)
Shout-outs are in order. Business Insider just released its list of The 36 Most Creative Women In Advertising Right Now. WNW Members Julia Neumann, Christine Gignac, Elisa Tan, Alison Tsoi, & Laura Fegley made the cut, all ranking in the top 15. Check out some of their work below.
Water Is Life "Bucket List" Campaign
Oreo "Life Raft"
Hot Wheels Stunt
Verizon "Inspire Her Mind" Campaign
Vaseline Spray & Go
WNW Member #314 Jonnie Hallman is a designer and developer living and working in Brooklyn, out of co-working space Studiomates. He's worked at Adobe and with the likes of Etsy, 53, and Dropbox. Jonnie spoke to us about the influence of his freelancer parents and the benefits of a shared creative atmosphere and support group.
I started freelancing full-time about 2 and a half years ago, but it feels like much longer.
I work out of a studio space in Brooklyn, called Studiomates, which is where I feel like I do my best work. My best ideas come to me when I'm away from my desk, either walking around the city or washing the dishes.
I work a lot, even on personal projects in my spare time, so there are more like two ratios—client work to personal work and work life to personal life. Ideally, I would spend 3 weekdays on client work and any days/nights in between on personal work. If I work full-time on a client gig, I end up needing a longer break before I start the next one.
As for work life and personal life, I typically take two or three nights off during the week and leave Sunday for relaxing. These days, I'm too excited to work on personal projects, which don't really feel like work to me, so I often end up at the studio on a Saturday.
Both of my parents are freelancers, too, so they know the life—my mom is an illustrator and my dad is a book cover illustrator. I've grown up learning about the freelancing life and seeing it first-hand, which has had an amazing impact on me. As for the type of work I do, I think they understand the gist of it.
Easily the morning scene from Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure (my all-time favorite movie). If I were unfathomably wealthy, I would have an exact replica of that house.
Stack Overflow, so I could ask how to get off the island. My personal website, so I could alert everybody that I'm stranded. And sadtrombone.com, so I could properly express the situation.
Every Saturday morning, I play basketball at the Pier 2 courts of Brooklyn Bridge Park with a group of fellow studiomates and friends. I'll also play at a more relaxed court throughout the week in Carroll Gardens or Park Slope. In between, I go to the gym and listen to podcasts (it's the only time I allow myself to listen to podcasts, which gives me more incentive to go). For the less physical activities, I love drinking coffee, playing chess and seeing movies.
Besides being able to make farting noises with my elbow pits and wrists, I know a card trick. Just one.
The best advice I can give is to surround yourself with other freelancers. They can become an invaluable support group in keeping you sane, but also by providing insights into how they work. At Studiomates, we're constantly talking about how to handle specific client situations or how to charge for a project, and these conversations happen organically at lunch or at cookie o'clock. I'm always bouncing ideas off of others or asking for their input on a direction I might take with a project.
(I also wrote a few other tips in this blog post.)
I don't think it's new this week or anything, but a friend of mine sent me this gif and I think it hits too close to home for a lot of us.
WNW Member #3094 Kirsten Lepore is an animator and director based in Los Angeles. Her films have taken top prizes at SXSW and the Vimeo Awards, and she's given presentations everywhere from Pixar to Portugal. Some of her clients include Google, MTV, Yo Gabba Gabba, Newsweek, Whole Foods, Toyota, Facebook, Nickelodeon, Nestle, and Glamour Magazine. Kirsten spoke to WNW about her life as a freelancer and advice from Fred Seibert that she never forgets.
I think it's been about 7 or 8 years?
Definitely late at night - once most people are asleep - I have my quiet late night work session of intense focus. I also get super inspired being out in nature....or the craft store.
I usually love to have something I'm working on constantly or I get bored. I also never usually have consistent days off...I'll just work more on some days than others. I'd say 85% working 15% not working?
Surprisingly yes! They're super supportive! There have also been several instances where I was watching TV with my mom and an animated commercial came on, and she'd be like "Was that done in Flash?" and guess the software, haha. Sometimes she's way off, but I'm always impressed with her understanding of animation.
Pretty much any scene from Wayne's World, like this one. I can pretty much quote that entire movie.
I regret to admit it'd probably be facebook...but probably also Vimeo and SoundCloud. Does email count too??? Might need my gmail out there...
Cooking!!! ...and eating!
I guess it might be considered "hidden" to my current friends since they've probably never seen me do it, but I've played piano since I was about 2. Music was the biggest part of my life before filmmaking or animation ever entered the picture.
I also used to be really good at making armpit farting noises.
The best advice I ever received from a client that was eye-opening at the time was from Fred Seibert (the guy responsible for all the awesome creative direction for 80s MTV and Nickeodeon). I was doing a project for him and pitching a few concepts that I must have thought he would "go for." He stopped me at a certain point and told me that he'd rather me come up with a bunch of ideas that I loved and that excited me, rather than trying to just do what I thought the client wanted. He was such an awesome, brilliant guy and I've been thinking about and have tried to stick to that advice ever since.
It's a tie between these guys and the moon emoji meme.
WORKING NOT WORKING
Commonwealth connected with WNW Members #184 Greg Collins and #91 Emil Nisowski for the global announcement of Manchester United's new Chevrolet sponsored kit.
The two New York-based freelancers created and produced four :60 spots for the effort, including directing two of them themselves. They also contributed to a complete site reboot of www.chevroletfc.com, which has over 100 unique pieces of original content celebrating Chevrolet’s worldwide commitment to the power of play, and aggregated all the social media conversations surrounding the tagline “What Do You #PlayFor?”
In addition to sponsoring Man United, Chevrolet is donating 1.5 million virtually indestructible soccer balls to children around the world and restoring soccer pitches globally in places where play is needed most, such as in the slums of Bandung, Indonesia.
Greg and Emil spoke to WNW about the process of this extensive campaign:
"The 'Glory Glory' spot was filmed in and around Manchester, England - a proud city that has enough architectural history to pull off a sense of time travel. As for the shirts themselves, after the idea was sold, we went back and did extensive research to find the winningest and most iconic Man United jerseys in the history of the club-and since it’s Man United, there are a lot!"
"After that, we found the architecture around the city to match and then film at. Once those eras and shots were established, we worked to add in cameo appearances by some of the Manchester United legends-that is, the guys who proudly wore the shirts during those times. Legends like Sir Bobby Charlton, Dennis Law, Dennis Irwin and Gary Pallister-nine in sum."
"What we didn’t realize going into this was the amazing amount of security and confidentiality that needed to be baked into the shoot itself. So to prevent photo leaks and potential counterfeiting of the shirts, extensive NDAs were signed, entire city blocks were closed off (including closing down all of Old Trafford stadium for a day). Large scrims were used to surround the sets with armed guards in front of them, and the shirts themselves were held under tight security by club personnel."
"All in all, it was a six month project, creating, creative directing and ultimately producing everything. There are a million people to thank on it, but in this case, if it weren’t for Working Not Working, we wouldn’t have had such an amazing opportunity, and for that, we’ll always be grateful."
Greg Collins & Emil Nisowski
In his mission statement, WNW Member #2197 Andrew Goldin wrote: The Foo Fighters haven't rocked Richmond, VA in more than 15 years. So to convince them to come back, we're selling 1400 tix to a Foo Fighters show that doesn't exist (yet)."
The efforts of Goldin and the city of Richmond have paid off. In addition to the Crowdtilt Open campaign surpassing its goal of $70,000, Foo Fighters responded to the city of diehard fans via twitter, writing "See ya soon...let's have a good time." Kudos to Andrew for making rock-n-roll history.
Congratulations are in order! The Drinkable Book, an incredible accomplishment for charity WATERisLIFE, just earned WNW members #3922 Brian Gartside and #3096 Juan Carlos Pagan a Gold Lion at Cannes. That's on top of pulling home a Bronze and shortlisting in two other categories. More important than heavy hardware is the sheer brilliance of The Drinkable Book. The video above details just how revolutionary this book can be for creating and educating about clean water. Could a Kindle do this?
When we launched The UnJobBoard™ last month we asked Working Not Working creatives to choose the one place that would get them to give up the freelance life. We were overwhelmed with the variety of responses. Of the 187 total agencies, brands, studios, networks, magazines, publishers, blue chippers and startups that were mentioned, these were the 46 most popular. Some want to work in advertising, some want to work in tech and just a few want to shoot themselves into outer space. The diversity of these companies serves as both a testament to our members for finding new places to create and to the companies on this list that they're doing something right.
Originally from China, WNW Member #2465 Zipeng Zhu is now a full-time designer at Sagmeister & Walsh in New York City. WNW spoke to Zipeng about working full-time. Most recently, he's been working as lead designer on the new identity for The Jewish Museum.
I have been full time since the day after I graduated last year in May.
But I take on various freelance projects and do lots of personal projects at the same time.
When I'm taking a hot shower or when I wondering around in the city.
4 days working 3 days not.
They understand what I make but don't understand why it takes so long.
If I choose google, would I be able to search and use gmail?
If not will be Facebook, YouTube and Hulu.
Eat eat eat.
Sleep sleep sleep.
Eat again after sleep...
I am really good at karaoke. (at least I think I am)
Do what you want to do most through personal projects.
Leta Sobierajski is a multidisciplinary designer & art director living and working in New York City. She combines mediums in design, photography, art, and styling to develop tangible compositions for both print and motion. She was recently recognized as a top 20 under 30 designer in Print Magazine's New Visual Artists issue in 2014.
I’ve been freelancing for nearly a year now. It’s something I had wanted to do for a while and finally gained enough courage to take the leap—now I’m 100% sold! It is easily the best professional/career decision I have made. The studio life was not for me.
I primarily work from home, so many of my best ideas happen when I am sitting at my desk, taking a shower, or stepping out to pick up groceries. Taking a walk helps—a change of scenery is essential to bring out new ideas and feelings that are provoked from distraction. I used to be more of a night owl, working through most of my ideas in the wee hours of the morning, but I am slowly shifting my habits now that I am freelance. It feels satisfying to wake up early and immediately start drawing, writing, and sketching.
80% working, 20% recreation, ideally. I work a lot, and usually begin my day at 8:30 or 9 and end whenever Wade, my partner, gets home from work. I get restless when I’m not working on something, but a free week here and there is always embraced.
I think so. I’m an only child, so I’m very close with my parents. While they encouraged me when I decided to study graphic design in college, I think they had a different idea of what that actually meant, and they gave me a lot of pressure to apply for grad schools after I got my BFA. My mom was in college for 14 years to get her doctorate, so I think she was a little worried about my level of qualification, as well as my long term level of success (monetarily). Now that I have been out of school for four years, I think that they have learned more about what interests me and where it gets applied, so they have eased up a lot. I feel successful, not in a monetary way but in a creative kind of way. I think that they are learning that there isn’t a “cookiecutter” way of being a designer to make money, as there are so many different methods and opportunities to direct your abilities.
“I fart in your general direction,” from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Until the battery runs out, I’d say Doge2048.com (I can play it for hours), Netflix, and randomstreetview.com.
Runner up: Noisli.com, so that I can forget where I am completely and take a nap.
For short term Not Working, I’ll usually go gallery hopping in Chelsea or visit an exhibit at a museum. Free time is usually devoted to catching up on art, film, and food, and of course, side projects. Traveling is my absolute favorite way to make use of my not working time, and I try to take advantage of it as often as I can. Our (Wade and I) goal is to make it to Australia and Japan this year for some serious not working time!
I wouldn’t call this a talent per se, but i’m horribly clumsy. I knocked over a four foot cactus last weekend when I was in a shop. I drop things a lot, too.
People give and get a lot of shit for saying this, but I think it’s very important to build your own projects to help direct your strengths and interests. If you do what you love, and if you do it well, then people will ultimately recognize you for this and hire you because you’re good at it.
WNW Member #2392 Amanda Clelland spent six years at Droga5 working as creative director for Puma and Coke Zero before going freelance. She was selected to Forbes Magazine's "30 Under 30" for media, and was named Campaign Magazine's team of the year with Tim Gordon. While traveling Down Under, Amanda shared with WNW what feeds her creativity, and how she likes to spend her free time doing things like, well, traveling.
I’ve been freelance for about a year now.
I usually get my best thinking done in my bed. When I’m in that state between awake and asleep. I think it’s because you’re conscious doesn’t get in the way too much, and what’s been on your mind finally has some clarity and time to breathe. I like letting myself sleep in, or giving myself a lot of time to wake up in the morning.
4 weeks on. 2 weeks off. I like my time off.
It’s taken a long time, but after six years at an agency I think my dad finally got it. But now that I’m freelance, I think I’ve totally thrown him again. He feels like I’m just treading water and constantly on the look for my next gig. It makes him uncomfortable. He sees my lifestyle as pretty chaotic. It’s cool though, he also trusts me and has a lot of confidence in me.
“Ma the meatloaf…” (Wedding Crashers)
That desert island has internet? I guess so, well maybe this is a luxury desert island for one. Which sounds incredible. The Daily Beast, BuzzFeed, and Facebook.
Life, yay hooray! I travel a lot. I have a project going on that doesn’t pay the bills, but it’s going to pay off in a lot of other ways when my team and I get it done, so I spend a lot of my “not working” time working on that. I also enjoy yoga and crochet when it’s time to chill out.
I just discovered I may be good voiceover talent. I kinda like this. I did my first VO job by accident last year for my own video, and it’s brought in a few other jobs. It’s pretty fun. I like the idea that people like listening to my voice. Funny. Money too.
It’s important to find a good work/life balance. And everyone’s is going to be different for his or her own personal and financial needs. You have to find what’s best for you. Your fellow freelance friend might be great at booking jobs back-to-back and being organized. And that’s great for them. And you may be more of the free-spirit type and book as you go and take more holiday. It’s all about finding that balance, and it takes work to find what works best for you. But when you get into a nice rhythm that you feel comfortable with, freelancing is really really nice. I love it.
Jennifer Lopez’s new sexism-slapping video, “I Luh Ya Papi”. Freaking hilarious.
Puma celebrates the 50th birthday of Diego Maradona, arguably the best football player of all time.
New Museum
WNW Member #2996 David Black is a photographer based in Los Angeles. Photo District News selected David as one of 30 emerging photographers to watch in 2011, Print Magazine named David as a top New Visual Artist under 30, and he was included in the Art Directors Club of New York "Young Guns" Show and Book. David studied at The Cooper Union and San Francisco Art Institute. Some of his clients include Nike, Converse, Levi's, Ray Ban, Shinola, Budweiser. David spoke to WNW about what sparks his creativity.
Since 2003 when I graduated from art school.
Locations inspire me the most, lately it’s been living in the most bizarre city in the world… Los Angeles.
My schedule is so erratic, but my ideal situation is 100% working.
They do, I was blessed to have a Dad that was really into photography. He set up a dark room for me when I was a kid, which was a great adventure.
“Did you ever find Bugs Bunny attractive when he put on a dress and played a girl bunny?"
Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, sorry that wasn’t more interesting
Surf & travel
hell of a juggler
Accept that your friends with 9/5s will never forgive you for constantly changing plans, missing events.
Born and raised in Dublin, WNW Member #2782 Shane Griffin is a premier designer and director, having worked with top clients like The New York Times, Disney, Microsoft, Toyota, and ICAD. Formerly the Head of Motion Design at ManvsMachine, this ADC Young Gun is now enjoying his new life as a freelancer, putting out work like this. We had a quick talk with Shane about freelancing in Ireland and his mam's understanding of what he does for a living.
I've been Freelancing approximately just over a year.
Strangely enough, most of my ideas come when I leave the studio, on the way home on the bus, in the shower, people always get good work out of me on the second day!
I like to work, I get agitated when I'm doing nothing creative. On the contrary, I live in Ireland and the weather is awful, so I like to get away every couple of months! So lets say 3 Months : 2 Weeks. An idealistic leisurely lifestyle.
I don't think so? My Mam thinks everything I do is fantastic, but I approach most of my work with her in mind, so I'm aiming to please. Maybe I'm doing a good job, or maybe she's just too polite!
When Clarence Boddicker says "Bitches, leave" In Robocop 1. Flawless piece of cinema. It's not even supposed to be funny.
Hypergeography
Hypergeography
Hypergeography
I could lose days at a time there.
Planning my retirement, usually. I've a keen interest in fashion, tech, and music, so I do a lot of brushing up on culture and buying stuff I don't need.
I had an EP out once when I was a musician many moons ago, also I have extremely stretchy skin, I'm pretty sure that's not a talent though, but it freaks people out. I'm fluent in my native tongue of Gaelic too, which has zero benefit, but sounds funny.
It's nice to be nice, so be polite, and work hard!
My friend just got a Beagle puppy last week, and started an Instagram account for him. Probably the most amazing dog over all time. @Honestgable
Originally from the UK but now based in Brooklyn, WNW Member #2791 Julia Pott is an illustrator and animator extraordinaire. Her award-winning films have played at festivals all over the world, including Sundance, SXSW, AFI, and Annecy. A few of her clients include J. Crew, MTV, Oreo, Toyota, and Hermes. In 2012, Julia was named an ADC Young Gun, as well as one of The 25 New Faces of Independent Film by Filmmaker Magazine. In her free time, she wins more awards, like the 2013 YCN Professional Award. She also writes for Huffington Post. Julia shared some of her secrets to success with us, speaking about her parents' complete support and walks around the block.
I have been freelancing full time since I graduated from the Royal College of Art in July 2011. It was quite a strange sensation having my whole life ahead of me with no more land marks in the career world – no BA’s, no MA’s, just work forever.
When I’m walking to work I find it easiest to come up with ideas. If I’m feeling stuck during the day I’ll walk around the block and it helps to clear the cobwebs. I THINK I’m the most creative when I’m on a plane, but when I land and go through my notebook I realise all my ideas were terrible.
I like to work flat out on a project 24/7 for weeks or months at a time and then take a week off to do nothing and spend way too much time at Pottery Barn.
My parents have always been hugely encouraging. They always told me that I should wake up every morning excited to go to work – even if that meant struggling for money for a while. They watch every animation and look at every drawing I do, and if they don’t understand it they’ll ask me to explain it. Not to gush too much but they’re literally the best.
The scene in Mean Girls where a teary girl is talking about baking a cake out of rainbows and feelings and Damian yells from the back 'She doesn't even go here'. Every time. Sometimes when someone is giving their opinion on something when no one asked for it I quietly think in my head, 'she doesn't even go here'.
NPR.org – mainly for Radiolab. I love listening to talk radio when I’ve been working from home and I’m starting to go a bit nuts in my own company.
TED.com – another resource for soothing knowledgeable voices. Although I’ll be honest – I mainly watch the talks about Love and Aliens.
Is it cheating to say Youtube? If it is then http://www.itsnicethat.com.
My heavy rotation non-working activities include – dancing (badly), karaoke (badly), eating Mexican food paired with margaritas (I’m good at this one), and watching whichever television show I am currently addicted to (The Sopranos). If I have a period of time off I love going on trips with friends – renting a cabin upstate or going away on an adventure.
I used to pull out my hair and eat it when I was 4 ... but that’s more of a worrying affliction than a talent. I was a classical pianist before I moved to New York, but I think almost all of that has fallen out of my head by now unfortunately.
I personally work much better if I have a few projects on the go at once so wherever possible, say yes to every job you want to do even if you’re already working on something else at the same time.
I can’t stop watching this gif: http://imgur.com/OYLhOSx
WNW Member #2526 Justin Maller is a formidable illustrator who has worked with top brands like Nike, Verizon, Martini, Dolby, Grammys, Coca-Cola, ESPN, Universal Sony Pictures, and the list goes on. We spoke to Justin about how he spends his free time, and when it's the right time to grow a winter beard. Check out Justin's illustrations below.
8 years full time.
Ideas - shower. Most creative - exactly 2 hours before I have to stop working for the day :(
80% Working - 10% Beach / Forest - 10% Apartment Vegetable
I'd like to think they get it at this point.
Grantland, my Fantasy Basketball site & Instagram
Cook & binge TV with my lady Ting, play with our dog Frank and grunt heroically at the gym.
Elite breakfast sammich skillz.
Don't start growing your winter beard in October - that's too soon. It will peak in late December prior to when it's most needed and will prematurely wear out it's welcome with your face and loved ones. You'll be cold in February. I'm cold.
Definitely this photo of Drake at the NBA All-Star game where he figured he was cool enough to sit with the dunkers, only they froze him out and left him precariously perched on one cheek. Ha!
Photographer and brand new WNW Member #2994 Mike Powell has photographed 13 Olympics, both the Summer and Winter Games, and has the scars to prove it. Mike was generous enough to let us in on some of the unforgettable experiences he and his camera have shared over the years.
I started shooting local running events, mostly x-country races when I was about 13. Then started working as a darkroom and photo library apprentice at the age of 16 with Allsport photography in the UK (much later to become Getty Images Sport). I had followed sports photography for a long time mainly because my brother Steve had started as a photojournalist then sports photographer himself. Despite his pleas for me not to enter the biz, I went for it anyway.
At the age of 19 I went to work at a new Allsport office in Los Angeles the year after the LA Olympics. I was part of a small team that built that business up and as such was shooting a lot of prime events at a very young age. Calgary was my first Games in 1988; I was 23 yrs old. Being affiliated with Allsport was the key. We had a very good relationship with Olympic sports and the IOC and became their photo agency shortly after that period.
Winter Games can be the grinders if you are covering Alpine ski racing and want to shoot anything else. Course freeze for photogs can be up to 90mins prior to the race start. So if you want to scout the course that means waking up at 5'ish for breakie and commute, being on the hill 3hrs prior to race, skiing the course a couple of times and then getting in position, shooting the race then hustling down the mountain and editing or delivering cards to an editor. Then off to an afternoon event within striking range and probably finishing with an evening event like speed or figure skating around 10.30. Just in time for dinner and beers at the hotel before doing it all again the next day.
There are so many great photo opportunities at a Games that you feel like you are missing something important if you don't have an event in front of you and a camera in hand. I usually hit a wall around Friday of the first week, have a little lie in then push through to the end, although the walls seem to becoming a bit harder and more often these days!
I really like large files and prime lenses so I shoot a lot with 2 x Nikon D800's. 24mm f1.4, 35 f1.4, 50mm f1.4, 200mm f2, 400mm f2.8. 14-24 f2.8 zoom and 70-200mm f2.8. I'll use a couple of Nikon D4's when I need a fast motor drive and quick follow focus.
A lot of guys love remote cameras and get some very good pics from them but I honestly never enjoyed that aspect of sports photography. If I didn't have the camera in my hand it didn't feel right. But that's just me, maybe I'm lazy and didn't want to deal with all the engineering.
Lots, quite often you are showing up at a stadium you've never worked in before and have arrived late from another event. You have to figure it all out and find a spot to work that hasn't already been taken by photogs that are only covering that event throughout the Olympics. Sometimes you need to get there very early to request a place to work or get a limited amount of tickets that are assigned. A great assistant or office in the MPC (main press centre) can really help.
Sleep or lack thereof, trying to get yourself motivated and focused on doing your best work in the second week when coffee no longer works can be really hard. Being tired all the time is a drag. It takes me weeks to fully recover from an Olympics.
I still think the men’s downhill is one of the hardest. It's the blue ribbon event of the Winters and these guys are busting 80+mph down a course where the best pics usually require a very long lens and shooting a low ridge line angle that means you don't see them coming. Even the modern cameras still struggle with this and it can come down to shooting a single frame. And just to make it more exciting the winner usually takes a slightly different angle than everyone else. I'd be lying if I said I always nail it.
My first Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea was a good one, the first one always is. That was when we shot film and pulled focus, remember that? At the men's 100m final I shot it on a Nikon 200mm f2 with an F3 body I think. When Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis hit the line I started shooting hammering the shutter and pulling focus. I popped the film out and figured I either got then all sharp or all unsharp. Well 10 out 13 frames wasn't bad back in those days. Come the closing ceremony I was an emotional wreck, could hardly shoot a frame, I just wanted it to go on forever.
The L'Alpe D'Huez stage on my first Tour de France in 1995, can't remember any of the pics but the scale of that day is immense. Following the Tour into Paris on a motorbike and going up the Champs Elysee on the final day, very emotional for the riders and the photogs.
Mike Powell (my name sake) breaking the oldest record in Track & Field. He set the new WR for the long jump at the 1991 Tokyo World champs and my pic of him doing it was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. It then became a Jeopardy question, so yes I really am famous.... :-)
The athletes I've met and had more than a passing relationship have been great: Michael Johnson (Olympic & World champ 200/400m), Picabo Street (Alpine ski racer, Oly and World Champ), Mike Powell ( World Long jump record holder) and more recently I've been to Jamaica to shoot Usain Bolt the worlds fastest man (Oly and World Champ + WR holder), very genuine bloke and fun to work with.
I really don't have a favourite picture or favourite sport to shoot. I'm more into the body of work. View Mike's full Olympic gallery.
I don't often cry at a sporting event, but when I do it's because I'm at the Olympics.....for all kinds of reasons.
I love being up in the mountains for the Winter Games but I think there are always more opportunities for different and interesting work from the Summers.
Yep, see above. It's got to be pretty special these days to get me pumped, I think I burnt my adrenal glands out a long while back but I love when I get carried away by it all. I just have to try and stay present to shoot the pics.
Well for only the second time since I started shooting the Olympics I'm at home watching it on TV with my family. I've enjoyed the sport but haven't seen any iconic images yet. Sometimes they are just not there but it's early days yet and a lot of talented photographers are working their asses off to try and make one.
See you in Rio!
WNW Member #1483 Daniel Nyari moved from communist Romania to Austria before ultimately taking his illustrative talents to New York City. We talked to Daniel about finding an identity amidst familial and cultural pressures, while striking a balance between working and not working.
I've been attempting freelancing since 2004 and only successfully so since late 2012.
Like most freelancers I feel more productive in the evening and there's a reason for that. When I worked full-time I got used to working after 5 or 6pm into the night. When I started freelancing fully it just carried over. Nonetheless when I wake up, my brain tends to still remain somewhat in hybernation so I created a system where I do a lot of the repetitive stuff that doesn't necessarily require me to be "creative" and as the day progresses and I have enough cups of coffee I tend to move on to projects that require a little more creative attention. When ideas hit me tends to be random. I can sit, lay down in bed, I can be out shopping for groceries, I can even be in the bathroom but ideas come clearest to me when I am most relaxed and not burdened with numerous deadlines and related concerns.
This depends entirely on how much money I can get from a specific amount of work. If I am working on one or two projects a week that don't require me to seek out more work I am comfortable allowing myself free time to do personal projects. The ideal scenario is a 50/50 Working/Not Working ratio with the working client section financially secure. The reality is that on average it's been 90/10 Working/Not Working for me. I'm also a workaholic and like the challenge of pushing myself with multiple projects.
No. I can try explaining it to them and they will just understand that I draw images and some of them end up in magazines and some on websites. They don't understand the industry or the concept of freelancing to a full extent. They are old school former soviet-satellite traditionalists coming from completely working class backgrounds. Most creatives seem to have parents who were into the arts or have some kind of background that allowed them to guide their children towards the profession. I never had that luxury. Nor did my parents ever really encourage me to pursue the arts or rather they were entirely indifferent as long as I would bring money to the family. As a result; whatever progression I've made came as a direct desire to be completely opposite of what my parents represent or have known growing up.
The Bobby Peru/Lula Hotel Room Scene from Wild At Heart.
Only one. theonion.com so I can get all my world news.
Usually working on personal projects. My personal projects list is enormous and always growing. While I'm a commercial illustrator, I don't like the idea of being one most of the time so I try to find comfort in the illusion of being a real artist who has complete control over his content and style.
I'm a football (soccer) fan and have been since I was five so I have an extensive knowledge of the sport and its tactical philosophies.
If you're starting out, make sure you develop a style that is distinctly you and you in every decision you make throughout the creative process. Do and treat personal projects with the same importance as paid projects. And do what you love or tackle subjects that interest you and if they are good you will attract clients who will want to pay you for something similar.
Learn to pace yourself and more importantly how to predict the time you will need for particular projects and the more efficient work management will become.
Also, don't underestimate the power of social media.
My favorite thing on the internet this week are over 14,000 images of the French Revolution finally released online. http://frda-stage.stanford.edu/en/images
Eric Kallman is responsible for some of the funniest and most awarded advertising in the world for clients like Old Spice, Skittles, Kayak and Ragu. "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” for Old Spice took over the planet while making every man feel inadequate. His career has taken him to Chiat/Day NY, Wieden+Kennedy Portland, Barton F. Graf 9000 and now freelance. We are ecstatic to welcome him to Working Not Working and caught up with him 6 days into his freelance career.
Six days. I've learned there are lots of forms.
I usually am the most productive when working with one or two other people. Sometimes it's an ECD and sometimes it's with a junior team, but just someone to talk with and bounce stuff off of.
Personally, I really like what I do. I like keeping busy, so I'd always like to be working.
It's taken about eight years of explanation every trip home, but I think they're starting to get their heads around it.
Maybe because it's the holidays, but every time I think about that scene in Elf where he's being solicited flyers by a row of people on the street and he stops to say a sincere thank you after he takes each one I smile.
The US Coast Guard Home Page, Navy.com and probably Deadspin or something.
Watch sports, watch movies, run and play with my dogs. Crouton and Hobo. They're the best.
I've played the piano my whole life. I guess it's only hidden because I couldn't bring my piano with me to New York.
I am a great guide for days one through six.
The mountain man, or "the living man," defending himself in court against charges of fishing without a license as he was merely trying to feed himself. He's pretty awesome. Look him up.
Kerem Suer, freelance designer and creator of the apps EyeDrop.me and Windward, comes clean about wanting to be stranded on a desert island. Learn more about the man who loves freelancing so much that he can precisely count his days of freedom.
I’ve been full-time freelancing for 609 days, so 1 year 7 months and 30 days. But that’s from the date I left my full-time job at Fitbit. I can probably comfortably say I’ve been freelancing here and there for over 7 years or so.
You know I used to be a serious night owl. Since my wife is a nightshift nurse, I used to match my hours to hers, so I would be out and about during the day, come home around 5pm, sleep for 7-8 hours, start working a little past midnight and work until the sun rises. But I started to find out there are other times of the day I’m really productive, too. So now I’m trying morning hours. I start my day around latest 7am, be super productive for 3-4 hours, enjoy the day, come back and work more. This also has shifted with the client base I have. Some clients do need me during the day, sometimes onsite, sometimes just FaceTime calls. But I think I still prefer night owl hours to be honest. A lot less distraction, no emails, no phone calls, just quiet night time, good coffee and work.
Well, this ratio was the core reason for me going fulltime freelance. So I can work hard, but then take time off and enjoy earth with my little family. I’m still exploring how to optimize this ratio, but I can say I work really hard for a month then take a couple weeks off, doing things I enjoy more than work. I guess I work to live, not the other way around. But again, this changes quite a lot. It depends on my wife’s schedule for bigger vacations; it depends on my clients' important product releases. But being outside the system made me realize there’s a whole world out there.
Let me be optimistic here, I think they understand what I do a lot better than … let’s say 5 years ago. They still don’t know exactly what I do. And when I told them I’m quitting my fulltime gig to start freelancing, they thought I was crazy. And for a year or so my dad wanted me to find a “real” job. But now I guess they see I enjoy my life, work and can make a living; they’re realizing the world is changing.
I find myself snorting to many Old School scenes. Especially Frank the Tank! “Once it hits your lips, it’s so good” — after doing a beer funnel. Many Office Space scenes make me laugh so hard because it’s so freaking real. We all had that asshole boss who says “Yeeeeaaah, I’m gonna need you to come in tomorrow…” So good, I might just watch that movie again.
I think I know what websites I wouldn’t take. Facebook and Twitter. It would be a hell of a time if I was stranded on a desert island. I would enjoy nature, find ways to make things, survive. I would probably want YouTube so I can YouTube how-to videos. How to make a raft on a desert island. I would also want some sort of a blog so I can write entries for archival purposes. It sounds like I’ve been waiting to be stranded on an island but I’m just being real, guys.
I spend lots of time outside with my dog, when my wife is not working she joins the pack too. Outside is what I like. Nature, hikes, camping. California is an unlimited source for hidden gem places, so I like to explore a lot. I take lots of pictures, I like to document things. And yes, we travel a lot.
I can sort of play classical piano. I don’t play as much I would like to, and I don’t have a real piano where we live right now. But I took lessons when I was 6, and still remember some songs. So sometimes I take out my MAudio and play old songs to zone out. I also like to take pictures, but I’m not sure if that’s a talent or just what I do to get better at it.
Break your routine, change your office layout every now and then, meet as many people as possible, make human interaction, go out, have fun, do things you couldn’t do if you were to have a full-time job. And keep learning. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone.
For the last couple months I’ve been enjoying two similar Twitter accounts a lot. They both post historical pictures, and they are AMAZING. Here ya go:
https://twitter.com/HistoricalPics
https://twitter.com/OldSanFrancisco
Thank you so much for this little interview. It’s been an honor.
