Illustration by WNW Member Pierre-Paul Pariseau
This pandemic has reminded me of a lesson I learned years ago but had since forgotten. The desk is more than a piece of office furniture; it’s an integral part of a designer’s creative life. The desk is a rock of stability, a place to be active, to be still, and to work.
Read More
Photo by EVERGIB
“In some cases, a brand stretches or distorts the truth to appeal to its audience. Do we really think Pop-Tarts are part of a nutritious breakfast, as Kellogg's suggests? Over time, the reinforcement of this skewed reality becomes accepted as the norm. It's exactly how the rise of the Confederacy brand came to pass.”
Read More
Illustration by WNW Member Mark Wang
“When design turned up its nose at thoughtful criticism through civilized discourse in favor of strictly 'good vibes', it created a vacuum...All systems require balance and by avoiding this requirement, we collectively created instability.”
Read More
I often feel drained by the work, company culture and low pay. To remedy, I have been actively applying to jobs, networking and taking professional development classes to find a better alternative.
Read More
Illustration by WNW Member Richard A. Chance
Museums become the long term memory of a society. They bear the scars of oppressive movements that stain our history and carry that trauma like a physical body. Each institution has a closet full of skeletons they’d rather forget.
Read More
Over the course of writing the past 33 columns, one of the most prevalent, recurring themes has been the question of how we deal with the unknown. Ambiguity, uncertainty, surprise, and the unexpected dot our careers as creatives, sometimes momentarily and sometimes for seasons.
Read More
WNW Member Veronyka Jelinek
“While a beautiful thought, a room full of designers nullifies the shared skill. If everyone is a logo designer, who will make logos when the need arises? Everyone, and therefore no one. Keeping like-minded company is critical to being seen, but diversity will help us survive.”
Read More
Illustration by WNW Member James Clapham
These tips for professionals and amateurs alike can provide some attainable goals or challenges to those in search of motivation, especially now that freelance creatives are under the whims of unstable budgets.
Read More
Over the past year, art has been calling out to me again in a way I can’t ignore. Her pleas have been getting stronger, more urgent—and more disappointed in my lack of resolve to commit more time to her—time I simply don’t have right now.
Read More
Illustration by WNW Member Scott Balmer
“The illusion is lifted: everyone now knows we are at home. This requires firmer boundaries around our time online, and how and where we choose to spend it.”
Read More
Craig Black
“What I am about to share with you is actionable steps that I have taken to ensure my business and my mental well being will survive through these challenging times. I really hope that this insight can provide value to the community.”
Read More
“I think freelance life has shifted my focus from doing what I love to worrying too much about money and business. That makes me feel like something is not working. I want to be excited about what I do again.”
Read More
Illustration by WNW Member Simon Flöter
“Van Gogh’s story is a typical case of a self-conscious creative with no marketing skills floundering in an artists’ market. He sold a product to a small community that didn’t value him and couldn’t patron him longterm.”
Read More
Illustration by WNW Member Michelle Mruk
As Vicki Saunders famously said, 'Everything’s broken, what a great time to be alive.' So make a dream brief out of what bothers you. Build the thing you wish you had (a little bird told me that’s how Working Not Working came to be). Be the change you’d like to see.
Read More
As I work on my plan for the next five years I'm craving an expansion while holding onto my mastery. How do I expand to take on a bigger creative role, while keeping the market's trust in what I do very well?
Read More
I know my work will be better and I’ll be able to focus more if I take time for myself. How can I start to say yes to myself more, not just during this time of year, but on a more regular basis?
Read More
Taking time off made me realize how fast-paced my work and life was. I might want something different. How do I decide without uprooting my entire life?
Read More
Is it necessary to post on social media daily? Will we lose work if we’re not sharing like everyone else? How can I get rid of my anxiety and have a more reasonable approach to all of this?
Read More
Illustration by WNW Member Simon Flöter
There is no formula for becoming a successful creative, but even we are bound by the laws of physics. Our motivational advice mirrors high school science books: move your mass. Take risks and gain momentum. Orbit positively charged people. In the face of these constants, there is a variable often unconsidered.
Read More