Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you:
I am Emily Andreou from Cyprus, a 25-year-old Graphic Designer.
Your current job:
I’ve started working as a Junior Graphic Designer in ‘120ADVERTISING’ (an advertising, media creative design, events, and content boutique agency) since December 2016. I’m still working as a freelancer and my main field of work is Branding / Identity. My greatest love is Product / Package Design!
In which city are you located?
Limassol in Cyprus.
A word to define what kind of worker you are:
I’m a hard/passionate worker, very loyal to my style and I love to show it off, on my freelancer work. I am obsessed with details and every project that I finish has to be perfect.
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)
First of all, I have an Agenda and I write everything down. I make a list every day and I organize both my work and personal life.
Also, I use a Sketch Book to write all my thoughts about each project. I start with a brainstorming, then research and then sketching ideas.
My last step is to use Illustrator so I will bring to life all my ideas. I use Indesign and Photoshop as well.
What does your office space look like?
As a freelancer, i don’t really have an office so I work in places I feel comfortable. This is usually my bed (which is a bad habit) or in a small cafe. As a junior graphic designer in ‘120ADVERTISING’, I’m sharing the office with my co-workers. On my office, i have projects that I did in the past and with this way I get inspired. It must be clean all the time and organized, otherwise I can’t work.
What kind of music do you listen when you are working?
I listen all kind of music but usually alternative and indie. When I am working I listen my favorite band ‘KODALINE’. Their music calms me down without distracting me.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work?
My Agenda is very important. I usually prepare the night before a list with all the tasks that I have to do the next day. When I go to my office, I check my E-mails first, I make a huge cup of coffee and then I start working.
What tips would you give to improve productivity?
1.Be Organized
2.Keep your workplace clean
3.Shut off social media while your working
4.Believe in yourself
5. When you have time off, it means time off. Don’t check any E-mails,don’t talk about your work, don’t go back to your office to finish tasks. Just focus on your personal life, get rest and clean your mind. (I need practice on this one.
You’re better than your colleagues to:
I believe that everyone is different and unique in their own way and I admire them for that. But I do believe that I’m a hard working person and that I am trying to build something for myself. Not for being better than anyone else but for being better from how I was yesterday.
What is the best advice anyone has given you?
Believe in yourself, trust your gut and make all of your projects unique. I am surrounded by positive people, my family, and my fiance, Simon is always next to me and push me to see the best in every situation.
What is your best tip for saving time?
Organize your tasks, have deadlines even when the customer does not ask for it.
What is your routine start and end of the day I love sleeping so I start my day kinda late. I enjoy my cup of coffee and check my E-mails, and then it’s down to business. I finish around 18:00 -ish and I love having dinner with my fiance and have my daily glass of wine to chill out.
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not go without?
Anything that I can watch a TV series and documentaries. Headphones so I will listen to music and calm down. Google Map. Even though Cyprus is a very small country I get lost very easily.
facebook.com/emily.andreou.g.d/
