Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you:
I’m Sofía González, 25-year-old graphic designer from Guatemala passionate about branding
Your current job:
I’ve worked in different places for the past 4 years, but I’m still a freelance graphic designer. I’ve had the opportunity to work with different types of people that have helped me learn and grow as a creative person
In which city are you located?
Guatemala City
A word to define what kind of worker you are:
I like to work many different projects that I feel passionate about, in ones that I’m always learning new things and feel that I’m growing as a person and as a designer. I like to work very fast but also careful about details, to always obtain the best outcome. I’m very passionate about branding design, and also lettering, which has helped me try and experiment with different tools, making me stay away from only digital things.
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)
I can’t live without Illustrator, but other essentials are InDesign, my computer, and Tablet. I also love writing down lists in notebooks and buying different types of markers and brushes to try and experiment with them.
What does your office space look like?
It looks really clean, filled with posters I’ve made and books I’ve been given as a gift. It is also filled with materials like watercolor, brushes, and markers.
What kind of music do you listen when you are working?
I love to hear Mumford and Sons, which is my favorite band, I tend to get really pumped and focused when I hear their music, it helps me concentrate. I also like to hear bands like kings of león, foals, black keys and Spanish music like bomba estéreo.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work?
Making lists. It helps me organize myself and prioritize to not to forget the thing I have to do and when I have to finish them. Having personal deadlines helps me push myself to finish the job by optimizing my time in the best way.
What tips would you give to improve productivity?
Having to do lists, prioritize, delegate, having all the things you need close by and not wasting time. Not taking extra home to work helps you having a clear mind and not getting stressed over things, I still have trouble with not getting stressed but I’m still learning every day.
You’re better than your colleagues to:
Nothing. I think everyone has a strength but that doesn’t mean you are better than the others, you can learn something from everyone.
What is the best advice anyone has given you?
It’s not about designing just for money, it’s about designing because you feel passionate about it and you want to give the best of you in each Project. Money is a reward, but it can’t be your only motivation.
What is your best tip for saving time?
Not wasting time on social media
What is your routine start and end of the day?
I get up, go to work, drink a cup of coffee and always, always have breakfast, if I don’t, my day it’s just not the same. I usually get home by 8:00 pm, to sometimes keep working on personal stuff.
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not you go without?
If Netflix was a gadget, that would be it, anything that helps me watch every single series out there. I’m not a big fan of gadgets, so instead of them, I’d choose markers and brushes
