Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you :
Francesco Ciccolella.
Your current job :
Illustrator. I work with editorial, publishing and advertising clients as well as on personal projects.
In which city are you located?
Vienna, Austria.
A word to define what kind of worker you are :
Passionate.
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)
Pencil and paper. Lots of paper. My Wacom, my laptop and Illustrator.
What does your office space look like?
I currently work in a shared studio in Vienna. We have a lofty room with very high ceilings and an inside balcony. My desk is on that balcony and I’m very good at making a mess of it. I’m afraid I find it stimulating. It’s my weakness.
Apart from that, the space is pretty white with lots of concrete and glass windows. We have a gallery attached to space, where I’m currently preparing my first solo show ‘Alternate Realities’.
What kind of music do you listen to when you are working?
Mostly nature sounds or no music at all when working on concepts or ideas. When working on finals I like to listen to New Wave, Indie and 80s or I listen to mixed playlists I share with friends.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work?
I’m an Apple Calendar Pro. Really. Also, I have weekly TODO lists.
What tips would you give to improve productivity?
Learn to make decisions.
You’re better than your colleagues to :
Make coffee.
What is the best advice anyone has given you?
I forgot the context but a fellow illustrator, mentor, and friend once told me that there are two types of people. The ones who are afraid of the unknown and the ones who look for it and embrace it. I try to be the latter and it has brought me a lot of opportunities.
What is your best tip for saving time?
Learn to make decisions!
What is your routine start and end of the day?
Coffee in the morning, I’d say, and as I live in walking distance from my studio, the walk home in the evening.
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not you go without?
My clipboard. Definitely!