Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you :
I am Katelynn Hicks, graphic designer/illustrator, from the community of Havelock, New Brunswick.
Your current job :
I work for TC Media designing print and static web advertisements. I also do some freelance projects on the side designing characters and posters.
In which city are you located?
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
A word to define what kind of worker you are :
Resourceful
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)
Colerase pencils, pen, paper, Indesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.
What does your office space look like?
It’s clean and organized with the occasional doodle or cartoon posted around.
What kind of music do you listen when you are working ?
It depends on the day. Many days, I don’t listen to anything. I find the silence relaxing and easy to focus to. If I do listen to music, it’s usually rock, metal or country.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work ?
I have multiple deadlines daily so I tend to work on whatever ads that have a deadline for that day or closest dates first. Then I might alternate between large, complicated projects and small ones so I don’t get bored from too much of one thing.
What tips would you give to improve productivity ?
If there is a task that is frustrating, sometimes it’s best to step away for a bit and just take a break. Grab a coffee. Go for a walk around the block. Even if it’s just for five or ten mins, it will free your mind and the task is completed so much quicker.
You’re better than your colleagues to :
Designing vector illustrations and characters from scratch.
What is the best advice anyone has given you ?
Don’t base your progression of your artwork against other artists. This can lead you down a road of discouragement. Everyone learns and develops skills at different speeds. If you look at the progress of your own artwork, you can be amazed at how far your skills have come. Dig out an old sketchbook from ten years ago and one from today, you will more than likely notice quite an impressive difference.
What is your best tip for saving time ?
Familiarize yourself with actions and scripts.
What is your routine start and end of the day ?
I spend a good chunk of my spare time in the kitchen cooking and baking. I tend to be very solar powered, so I like to go for a walk before work to soak up some sunshine and breathe in some fresh air. I like to also spend some time chilling in my comfy chair, with my coffee, and draw or work on any freelance projects before I start my shift at 3pm. After work, is very late in the evening, so I usually unwind with a book, some television or browsing Pinterest for art inspiration.
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not you go without?
The coffee maker. Caffeine really helps get those creative juices flowing.
