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
