Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you :
My name is Tyana (tee-ah-nah). I am a visual communicator who appreciates all forms of life and art.
Your current job :
Freelance Graphic Designer & Illustrator
In which city are you located?
Ottawa, ON, Canada
A word to define what kind of worker you are:
Dedicated.
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..) :
Graphite, eraser, any paper, Wacom tablet, laptop, scanner, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
What does your office space look like? :
My office space is functional with a sprinkle of chaos once in a while. I have a big desk which allows to me to have a desktop computer, a laptop and sufficient amount of storage. I have random items scattered, such as pine cones, tiny fossils of bivalves and ammonites, dried flowers, small containers and books.
What kind of music do you listen when you are working ?
I’m really into film soundtracks, especially ones for Wes Anderson or anything composed by John Williams, Howard Shore, Jon Brion, or Mychael Danna.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work ?
I work best in daylight, so the earlier I wake up the better. I try to answer most emails in the morning, and leave the rest of the day to research and to work on projects. If I know there is something I have to do, I don’t waste time. Having a spreadsheet of all the work in progress is crucial. During my breaks, I make sure to catch up on social media and take note of any important events.
What tips would you give to improve productivity ?
Stay focused, take breaks when needed, and manage your time wisely. Also, to maintain a positive attitude, spend at least 30 minutes outside once a day in a garden or amongst trees.
You’re better than your colleagues to :
The worst thing you can do for your self-esteem is to compare yourself to others. Admire and respect your peers.
What is the best advice anyone has given you ?
Never stop learning.
What is your best tip for saving time ?
Back up your files! Don’t keep random stuff floating around on the desktop. Have a consistent naming folder and file system, and keep bookmarks organized for inspiration or awesome websites.
What is your routine start and end of the day ?
I wake up, brush my teeth, check emails and I work a bit before I eat breakfast. At the end of the day, I usually put my laptop to sleep and scribble in my sketchbook.
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not you go without?
If I’m going for a walk, I can’t go without my DSLR.
w : tyana.ca
