Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you :
Hi! I’m Fernando Díaz a Lic. Graphic Designer from a small country called Uruguay.
Your current job :
I co-own a type foundry called
, we make and distribute fonts. Also I work freelance under my Alias:
. And finally I’m a typography teacher at a design university.
In which city are you located?
A lovely and small city called Montevideo, with only 1.5 million people.
A word to define what kind of worker you are :
Workaholic!
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..) :
Well, I think I spend most of my time in FontLab (font software), but I also use Illustrator, InDesign & Photoshop a lot.
What does your office space look like?
In my office I have a desk and laptop in front of a window: a good view is the most important thing for my brain to work comfortably. Besides that I have my calligraphy tools, paper, and also a library full of very old books of different subjects: such as history, design and typography. Finally I always keep my guitar close by.
What kind of music do you listen when you are working ?
It depends on the mood, and time of day, now I’m listening to a rock/blues online radio, because I want to listen and discover new artists.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work ?
I think my job is a little different from the typical graphic designer. When you create typefaces most of the time you have no clients and no boss (unless you are doing a font by request), but… I still have deadlines. So I guess I can say that I’m much more relaxed than when I had my studio. That being said I’m very tidy with my files and use a lot of apps to do the mechanical part of work.
What tips would you give to improve productivity ?
This is kind of embarrassing to say, but if you are addicted to social networks and design websites like me, download the chrome free app ‘stay focused’, this little app forbids you from entering any of those websites while you are working. You don’t know how much time you waste on this until you spend 10 hours without them. Now that I use it, I can say that my productivity has been increased by far!
You’re better than your colleagues to :
Well, on my trips I’ve met a lot of people with awesome talents, so It’s hard for me to say that I’m better than others… What I can say is that I always try my best and I’m constantly learning from all kinds of people.
What is the best advice anyone has given you ?
Wow, so many… but I guess that ‘do what you love’ was the most important one, yes, I know… it sounds like a cliche. But when I finished college I’ve tried working in many things, and none of them seemed to work for me, I wasn’t happy or had a good economical retribution. Now, I do what I love at my own time and everything is working great! So… for all the designers who are starting to work… try doing what you love sooner than later.
What is your best tip for saving time ?
If you can: hire and train someone else to work with you! If you can’t: try making/buying software that allows you to save time.
What is your routine start and end of the day ?
I have no strict schedule. But I normally start by a cup of coffee and reading/answering mails in the morning, after a few hours I start my type work… until night when I just start getting tired and want to get some fresh air, that’s why I said I’m workaholic!
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not you go without ?
My calligraphy tools are very important to me, sometimes when I’m all day long sitting, working on my laptop I just walk up, grab my tools and start drawing letters while looking outside…