New York-based studio The Collected Works recently overhauled their portfolio site, and it’s a statement piece in itself, worthy of the same attention as any creative project that it houses. So we talked to founders Justin Colt and Jose Fresneda to pick their brain on some of the do’s and don’t’s that frame how The Collected Works presents itself.
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Asking Not Asking #27: Looking to Leap
It is a wonderful stable job with good benefits so the thought of leaving something so steady is scary. But my dream is to do something focused more on spirituality/new age modalities and/or personal development…
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I Hate Mornings: Setting a Routine for Freelancing
Looking over my diary, I can clearly note the sharp rise in my productivity level when my creativity is carved out in a routine. Let’s just say the times when I've noted simply ‘work on illustration tomorrow’ have yearned less than impressive results. Allow me to break down how I've crafted a creative routine that works for me.
Read MoreAsking Not Asking #25: Aiming to Avoid Regret
I have a good-paying job as a designer at a small, but growing startup, yet I’ve always had the dream to pursue a more independent path as an illustrator...I’ve thought about taking the next step, but I don’t know if it’s foolish when I make a good living that allows me to be independent and save. Is this a silly pipe dream?
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Animated illustration by Emily Parsons
Creative Turns: Mic Nguyen—Former Educational Analyst, Current Copywriter & Comedian
“Creative Turns” is a new series about the unexpected paths that bring individuals to embrace a creative profession. It’s never too late to apply your experiences in a seemingly disparate field to your new career. As an educational analyst-turned-copywriter and comedian, Mic Nguyen is a model example of this idea.
Read MoreAsking Not Asking #22: Jack of All Trades
“I guess the underlying dilemma is that I’m not sure how to maintain the idea of myself as a kind of ‘jack of all trades’ or to make some kind of active choice and promote myself as a product/niche service.”
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Asking Not Asking #21: To Keep Going or Not
“I decided to give freelance a go after the contract ended and I assumed work would just come in. But the truth is, it hasn’t. Every month I tell myself this is it. If I don’t get more work, I’ll start applying to companies and take a break from freelancing. But I don’t want to do that. I want to keep working for myself and really build something I love.”
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All photography by Geoff Levy
Engagement In the Grid: 3 Ways Creative Professionals Can Approach Their Instagram Feeds
“Just because you’re unsure how it will be received on social media doesn’t mean that the seed of the idea that’s scratching at your soul doesn’t have a home. Instagram isn’t a parameter for your art; it’s a visible publication platform.”
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Asking Not Asking #19: I Don’t Hate My Job
“Here’s the thing: I don’t hate my job. I don’t necessarily love it, either. It’s interesting and fast-paced and I like working with a team. I also like the consistent salary and the security that comes with it...But sometimes I get the urge to quit and start over. I get antsy and want to leave. Then I think about it and wonder why. Will I regret not trying something else?”
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Illustration by WNW Member Tallulah Fontaine
Selling Your Soul: Can Artists Consciously Work with Big Brands?
I am constantly searching for the alignment of the truest truth between myself and the brands I service. Where can I celebrate synchronicity? ... As small businesses, we can’t solve these brands’ idiosyncrasies, but we can anchor our messages to the values we support. Can we find a way to bring impactful work into existence for someone that wouldn’t be reached otherwise?
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Header Illustration by WNW Member Rachel Denti
How to Find a Mentor Anywhere
People of great wisdom and conviction know: I’m not ready for it. This has yet to deter me from seeking out mentorship from friends, motivational speakers, new age philosophies, and books. No one has outwardly consented to mentoring me, but I find myself privately cataloguing their advice and experiences so that I can apply it to my own life.
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Illustration by WNW Member Jamie Polancic
More than Hands-On Experience: The 3 Goals of an Internship
You’re an intern. You are not expected to know everything. They already know you’ve got enough of the skill set they need because they hired you. But now is the time to fill in your knowledge gaps. The company may use different software than you’re used to. Ask them how to use it. You may be unclear about a part of the project you’re working on. Ask for clarification."
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Asking Not Asking #18: Freelance Life is Like A Drug
“Freelance life is like a drug. The just not knowing what might be possible around the corner can be addictive and exciting. But it can also be hard to know just when the time is to move on. To know when it’s over. You just don’t know. There’s always a maybe/possibly hanging around out there. It makes it hard to commit to something else, something more solid, something more stable.”
Read MoreAsking Not Asking #17: The Girl Who Got Lost in the Fire
“I’ve tried side projects, going on art-dates with myself, taking self-care days. I’ve tried making up small projects just for me, but I can’t seem to find the motivation or passion to do it. I feel trapped in this illusion of freelance because I constantly feel I can do it better, do more, do things differently, but every time I have some time off, I feel paralyzed and tired.”
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Illustration by WNW Member Yifan Wu
The Case for Copying: Ideas to Beg, Borrow, and Steal
“Discussions surrounding copying are pervasive, i.e. 'DON’T DO IT,' but few safe spaces existed in which to explore. As with the topic of safe sex, how can we as a community expect to arrive at healthy decisions if abstinence is the only option?”
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Want to Work on the Technological Frontier? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About The Mill
A full-time Recruitment Manager at the Mill’s New York office shares insights into the projects and culture of The Mill, how her hiring process evolves with the company’s expanded capabilities and breadth of work, and what she looks for in new talent for freelance and full-time roles.
Read MoreAsking Not Asking #16: Searching for Fulfillment
“Options I am considering: 1) Go back to school to get an MBA in Marketing and do…marketing?…somewhere? 2) Leave and start my own photography and design studio. Options I’m definitely NOT considering: Staying where I am. I’m so ready to jump that I can feel the wind in my face.”
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Titmouse Founder Chris Prynoski on the Animation Industry, the Effects of Streaming, & Landing “Big Mouth”
We interviewed Titmouse founder Chris Prynoski to learn about his animation company’s origins and milestones working on hit shows like Big Mouth and Metalocalypse. Chris also shared a ton of insights into Titmouse’s approach in a changing industry and what up-and-coming artists need to know to prepare themselves for a career in animation.
Read MoreDesigners Ada Sokol & Alice Isaac Talk Creative Approaches, Advice, & Excitement for Us By Night
We’re excited to be partnering with Us By Night for the second consecutive year. The Antwerp-based design festival has already announced some of the lineup for this September’s festival, which has created a significant amount of hype 5 months out. We caught up with two speakers on the lineup, Ada Sokol and Alice Isaac, to discuss their creative approaches, favorite projects, advice for creatives, and why they’re excited to take part in Us By Night this year.
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