Published by Leonardo Calcagno
Who are you: Tom, aka HRVB.
Your current job: Freelance illustrator and graffiti artist.
In which city are you located? Berlin.
A word to define what kind of worker you are: Highly involved. When I’m concerned with something, I really delve into it and it’s hard to get me out of it.
What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..): In order to implement my ideas I either need my Wacom and Adobe Illustrator whenever I use the digital way, or a spray can when working at a wall.
What does your office space look like? Like an organized chaos, filled with plenty of sketches, paintings, work materials and Club Mate bottles.
What kind of music do you listen when you are working? When working in the office, I generally listen to electronic music. But, its characteristic depends on what kind of illustration I’m specifically working on – if it’s going to be a positive one the music is straight-line, and with more weird or gloomy illustrations I prefer Breakbeat and Industrial Techno. When painting a wall, I generally do not listen to music – there I listen to the sounds of the street and to passing people.
Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work? I mostly do not get up before 9 am. Then, I relax with a good breakfast, tea and checking the news. After that I’m full of energy and can work until late night – if I in addition I drink some Club Mate. And, in the afternoon I reach my most creative and productive time.
What tips would you give to improve productivity? Being well rested. Concentrate on these things most important for the moment, and try to block all other things. For this, it’s important to always prepare a schedule and work on it step by step.
You’re better than your colleagues to: Since everybody is doing its work differently, it can’t be about being better than anyone else – it’s more about being different.
What is the best advice anyone has given you? Life is not waiting for you!
What is your best tip for saving time? Concentrate to the essentials. Avoid deflections. Don’t do Facebook or Instagram for example.
What is your routine start and end of the day? As I already said, I mostly start the day with a relaxing breakfast and reading the newspaper. Regarding the end of the day, there is no routine except from sleeping – it can be about working, doing sports, meeting friends or watching Netflix.
Aside from your computer and your phone, what gadget can you not go without? Headphones.
