Interview
Jared Christensen
What are some things you do to help yourself into the state of mind necessary for creative work?
Environment is a big determinant for my creativity. This is why I often insist that I not be forced to work at client offices, because you usually get a hand-me-down desk in the worst possible location. I surround myself with toys, creative packaging, magazines, and books at my own desk to make it personal and comfortable.
Oh, and good desks and chairs. Physical discomfort is bad for productivity. Pick tools that are comfortable for you, e.g. a mouse that fits your hand, pens that don't dig into your skin when you write, etc.
Oh, and being able to choose your OS. I feel happy that my employer accomodates Mac users, despite the significant cost of doing so. It's a huge thing to be able to use the tools you like.
I think free time is also critical to creativity. Designers need time to step away and play.
Do you follow a strict daily (or weekly, etc.) routine with regard to workflow, or is every day (or week) different?
It really depends on the people I'm working with and the delivery schedule. I find that most designers adapt well to various workflows. I'm a consultant, so I have several projects a year in completely different industries. Requirements change, and good designers need to be flexible.
Do you prefer to work in a closed, private environment free from other people and distractions, or in a more open, collaborative environment?
I prefer open environments, simply because cubicles and dividers feel so consticting and old-school "Office Space." Designers are pretty collaborative and social by nature, so it makes us happier to be able to talk to each other or at least see each other while we work. There are times, however, when visual/aural distraction is a real problem. Occasionally I work from home when I really need to knuckle down. We're planning on purchasing rolling whiteboard dividers to create a dynamically divided workspace, so that's an idea for creating smaller, non-permanent workspaces.
What do you do to get your day(s) started in the right direction?
I typically start off my day with reading some blogs and hitting up some pure graphic design sites (ooh, pretty patterns!). It helps to remind me that even though I may be writing user scenarios that day, dude -- I'm still a designer. I also catch up on my music news. It's important to be able to come to work and ease into the day's work -- not hit the ground running.
What task management technique do you use?
I tend to use Stickies to remember what I have to do. Sometimes I use to-do lists if the project is being managed in Basecamp. Mostly, I just rely on the ol' noggin.
What things tend to disrupt your workflow?
Meetings. Dammit Jim, I'm a designer, not a party planner.
What previous experiences have influenced your workflow?
I think my workflow is just inborn. My mom used to get mad at me for how annoyed I was when she interrupted my drawing time with pesky things like breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I just get into stuff and work through it till it's done.
What other disciplines influence the way you work?
Budgeting finances. I learned at a young age that you have to plan and work for what you want. It has trained me to see processes and learn to work toward a goal over time.
Is there anyone in particular you have learned from?
Not really. I haven't read and GTD books or anything.
What things help keep you focused on the work at hand?
Happiness. Interest in the subject matter itself. If the project is boring, or has been mangled into a terrible monster by a client, it's hard to deal. Designers can't be expected to be as focused when there's no passion for the work. Love what you do. It makes focusing easy!