Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you :
My name is Florian Mueller.
Your current job :
I am a freelance photographer/artist who is exhibited and published worldwide.
I am a curiosity-driven photographer who uses his camera as a tool to take a look below the surface of customary patterns of conception.
In which city are you located?
Cologne, Germany
A word to define what kind of worker you are :
Impulsive, sometimes chaotic, sometimes lazy…
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)
Adobe Lightroom, A. Photoshop, A. Illustrator, A. Indesign, Photozoom
What does your office space look like?
As a photographer I am usually working outside or on location, so it’s my home office under the roof of our house.
I have a large desk, that is custom made by my own to fit perfectly into the corner in my office under the roof sloping (see picture).
I am working with a second screen, using sometimes my wacom tablet. I have two white Nocs NS2 active speakers to listen to music while working.
From time to time I have to give me a break and play on my Gibson Les Paul BFG.
What kind of music do you listen when you are working ?
Mostly handmade, guitar-heavy music. The Virginmarys, Jack White, The Parlor Mob, Rival Sons. Sometimes when I have to concentrate I switch to minimal electro like Loscil.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work ?
No. There are two things I have to “handle”: The things that have to be done like office stuff, inquiries, exhibition-organization. And finding new motives and ideas which is an inspirational process that cannot be planned.
What tips would you give to improve productivity ?
I do not know if I am good person to give any hints. Maybe the one tip my wife gave me: Sometimes you have to stop working, let go and free your mind. Inspiration can not forced to come to you.
And be open to the principle called serendipity: finding things you are not looking for.
You’re better than your colleagues to :
I do not know if I am better than anyone.
What is the best advice anyone has given you ?
” Patience is not only a virtue. Sometimes it is most important.” said my father.
What is your best tip for saving time ?
I think the goal is not to save time but to use it in a good way. I am in the very fortunate situation that my work does mostly not feel like work.
What is your routine start and end of the day ?
I have a family, a 2,5 years old son. So the day starts at 7am with my son coming to me saying “Hello, come and play/read/jump on the bed with my!”. Then coffee. At the end of the day I am cooking for me and my wife, that can take a while because cooking is my hobby.
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not you go without?
Of course my camera!