Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you :
My name is Lise Armand, I am a graphic designer and art director specialized in publishing, branding and illustration in the fields of fashion, art and culture.
Your current job :
I am currently working as a freelance graphic designer and art director on various projects in my own studio (Studio Lise A).
At the same time, I work in the Sista Studio as a duo team with my working partner and sister Amandine Armand.
Sista studio is an experimental and non-profit workshop involving a broad range of creative fields such as fashion design, graphic design, art direction, set design, photography, video, pattern design and editorial design. We initiate this project to express ourself about topics that matters to us and to question our own designer practices.
In which city are you located?
I am located in Paris, in the 18th district.
A word to define what kind of worker you are :
It is difficult to choose the right one but I would say « versatile » and I my friends would say « bold ».
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)
My hands and my brain mainly. I like to sketch my ideas in a first step, even when I work on editorial design and layout. But then, I have to admit that I use the Adobe creative suite as every graphic designer. Sometimes I like to try some online softwares just for fun. I experimented some ASCII softwares when I was a student. It was a quite interesting experience to use unusual tools like that.
What does your office space look like?
My office is small, warm, bright and colorfull. The architecture of the building is typical from Paris, in an Haussmanian style, with a balcony and a wonderfull fireplace (which doesn’t work, but I like it anyway).
What kind of music do you listen when you are working ?
It depends of the project. If I need to find smart concepts and be very focussed on my work I like to listen electronic and soft music. But if I need to be active, to draw some elements and to find inspiration I love to listen U.S. rap, old school french rap and trap music.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work ?
I try to organize my work for the all week with precise deadlines. I have a traditional agenda to write everything I have to do. Sometimes I change my plans but it still helps to have an overview.
What tips would you give to improve productivity ?
I don’t have any tips for that because I am not trying to do it myself.
Unfortunately, trying to improve productivity is most often for the worse. I love my work and I always do my best to propose a good design and to make my clients happy. For me, trying to improve productivity is not the point.
You’re better than your colleagues to :
Make the strongest coffee? Haha. Actually I am working with colleagues from different professions so I can’t really compare.
I am working with photographers, fashion designers or web developers… Well, to each is own.
What is the best advice anyone has given you ?
« Don’t be afraid to do something you have never done before. Next time, you’ll be able to do it even more quickly and easily. »
That is a real bold attitude and I like it!
What is your best tip for saving time ?
The best tip I can give is trying to be as organized as you can. It is often the best way to save time.
The second one can sound paradoxical, but I think that when you feel it is time to stop, when you feel you start to go round and round in circles on a project at the end of the day, just stop and don’t feel guilty about it. The next day you will be more focussed, more efficient and you will save time after all.
What is your routine start and end of the day ?
To resume: have a good breakfast, put some music and start working. And for the end of the day: meet friends!
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not you go without?
Is clothes a gadget?
