Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you:
I am a graphic designer with around 15 years of experience.
Your current job:
I am working as a freelance designer for about 7 years (or maybe even more). During this time, from a just graphic designer, I became multitasking designer – brand developer, UI/UX designer, and application architect, an industrial designer.
In which city are you located?
I am living in Yerevan, the Republic of Armenia.
A word to define what kind of worker you are:
Responsive (You can’t be another way at freelance, otherwise people will stop recommend you to others)
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)
The list is huge. Almost whole Adobe package (Illustrator, XD, Photoshop, After Effects, Flash/Animate). For 3D I am using zBrush, Autodesk Maya, Rhinoceros, vRay and Keyshot. I have my 3D printer, that makes me really happy. But from where this all starts – is Rotring 0.5 pencil, A4 paper, and headphones.
What does your office space look like?
My office is always clean (I hate the mess, even if it is “creative mess” ). The tools on my table and icons on my desktop all are only of first need, nothing more, nothing less.
What kind of music do you listen to when you are working?
Video game soundtracks. They have associated always with fantastic views and situations in your mind, and not pushing you to listen and understand every word of songs. Prefer some flight simulator scores (from BANDAI NAMCO games), they are quite atmospheric, they make you fly.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work?
Writing down “To-Do” list. Trying to work on at least two – simultaneously. And when something in your list goes wrong, you are starting to shuffle projects in your mind, trying to rearrange them by their priority.
What tips would you give to improve productivity?
Always use a maximum of your computer resources. Render 3D model, when you drawing something. Make a few simultaneously.
You’re better than your colleagues to :
I am always at the cutting edge of software and design trends. I have a scientific approach (I am Biophysicist by my education), and learning new software and tools using my logic. (ex. “If this is a vector graphics tool, it has to do this and this and all I need is – to find where they put buttons for these”).
What is the best advice anyone has given you
Customer’s satisfaction is not always your one. Get used to it.
What is your best tip for saving time?
Think, when you are far from your computer and your designing tools. When you reach them, you must have all visual in your skull.
What is your routine start and end of the day?
E-mail, Pinterest, Behance, to-do list, coffee – are at my start and at the end.
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not you go without?
My CASIO G-SHOCK. Feel naked without it.