Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you :
I’m Chris Wood
Your current job :
Graphic Designer at MMR Studio
In which city are you located?
Melbourne – Australia
A word to define what kind of worker you are :
Determined – I like to improve in every project I complete.
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)
InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and music.
What does your office space look like?
It’s a three story converted warehouse with concrete flooring and brick walls (classic Melbourne). It’s great for spreading sketches everywhere over the floor when we’re working on complicated projects.
What kind of music do you listen when you are working ?
A lot of folk, blues and jazz mainly. It’s an open space so whoever decides to put some music on decides what we all listen too.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work ?
I make sure I know what I’m getting started on the next day at the end of the day before it. It means that when I’m traveling home that night or out somewhere, in the back of my mind I’m always looking for targeted inspiration for specific projects. When you can have an idea for a project before you even really start it, it can really help to get some momentum going in the morning.
What tips would you give to improve productivity ?
Everyone works in different ways, understanding how you and your colleagues work best will allow you to manage your workflow more efficiently and generally lead to better outcomes.
You’re better than your colleagues to :
I’d be fairly surprised if anyone said they were better than their colleagues at anything in a creative sense. Every project is generally very different that we get through our studio and the great thing about where I work is that regardless of age or experience, if you have a great idea, we’ll run with it. Where I like to focus my energy is on really nailing the initial concept and idea, if you have a strong concept, the rest of the project will almost design itself.
What is the best advice anyone has given you ?
You can give up, it’s easy to, but then you’ll never know what you were capable of and neither will anyone else.
What is your best tip for saving time ?
Always prep. I have a large library of inspiration from other great designers that grows every day. When you’ve already researched whats out there and you know what you need to be better than, then every project will benefit from it.
What is your routine start and end of the day ?
I drag myself into the shower and then travel to work, make a coffee, say hi to everyone, stretch…. and begin. At the end, if it’s been a great day and I can get away early enough I’ll exercise and go see my friends. Not too much of a real routine but it helps to keep me sane.
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not you go ?
Strangely enough, my wrist watch, I have it on every day of my life, everywhere I go, I think I just like analogue time.
chriswood.in