Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you :
My name is Kristjan Lyngmo and I am a visual artist from Iceland. I work in CG animation, illustration and graphic design.
Your current job :
I currently work as a CG animator for an animation studio in Iceland called CAOZ. We are working on an animated kids TV show. I also do illustration and graphic design work as a freelancer.
In which city are you located?
Reykjavík, Iceland.
A word to define what kind of worker you are :
Detail-oriented.
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)
Maya, Softimage, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
What does your office space look like?
At work I share an office space with the other animators. At home I use a small corner of my living room as my office space. It’s nothing fancy but I like it.
What kind of music do you listen to when you are working ?
When animating, a lot of the time goes into listening to your character’s lip-sync. Apart from that I listen to all kinds of music depending on my mood and the project. In the past few days I’ve been listening to a lot of The Black Keys, Mastodon, Them Crooked Vultures, Queens of the Stone Age, Die Antwoord, Soundgarden, Skálmöld, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Red Fang, Portishead and Royal Blood to name a few. I also like to listen to podcasts while working and traveling to and from work. Bill Burr, Kevin Smith, Joe Rogan.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work ?
I like to make lists of what I have to do throughout the day. That usually helps me keep everything organized and meeting my deadlines on time.
What tips would you give to improve productivity ?
Skip all social media during work hours. You can check that stuff during your lunch break or after work. Also it is always good to take a break if you are not feeling very productive. Go for a short walk, get some fresh air and when you get back to your workstation you might just have a new idea or perspective on your work that you didn’t have before.
You’re better than your colleagues at :
I always try to learn from my colleagues as much as I can. I don’t really consider myself better or worse than anyone else. Being an artist doesn’t have to be about being the best at something. It’s more about doing what you love for a living. Learning as much as you can along way and enjoying the ride while it lasts.
What is the best advice anyone has given you ?
If it feels good, do it. (Dr. Hibbert on The Simpsons)
What is your best tip for saving time ?
Don’t waste time.
What is your routine start and end of the day ?
Wake up around 8, go to work around 9, work until 5-6, then go home and work some more on freelance or personal projects that I have going on. Around 8-9 I cook dinner and then I usually watch some movies or TV shows before going to sleep.
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not be without ?
My Ipod. I can’t be without music for too long.
