Interview
Aaron Baxter
What are some things you do to help yourself into the state of mind necessary for creative work?
Flip through print design magazines or fashion magazines. They’re not related to site build or coding, but it’s something that I really am interested in. So, it’s a good jump-start for creativity. I often encourage doing non-design-related things to prepare for creative work.
Do you follow a strict daily (or weekly, etc.) routine with regard to workflow, or is every day (or week) different?
Everything is rather sporadic with me. I am always testing new ways of getting things done. And if it wasn’t for calendar alarms, I’d probably miss every deadline I have. Creatives, huh?
Do you prefer to work in a closed, private environment free from other people and distractions, or in a more open, collaborative environment?
I like collabs, but I’m not dependent on them. I have discovered that I work better when left by myself for hours. Sometimes even my own iTunes is too much
What do you do to get your day(s) started in the right direction?
Nothing in particular. I just start moving and hope some of the stuff I knock down along the way falls in an interesting place. Like many others, I tend to read a few blogs to see what the rest of us are doing. That always helps me to remember that I’m not alone!
What task management technique do you use?
Entourage and MyTime are helpful. I don’t do ‘To-Do’ lists. For some reason, I can’t remember to look at them.
What things tend to disrupt your workflow?
Also, technical questions break the creative synapses. It’s really hard to shift gears and get back in the “zone” after trouble-shooting an MS Outlook/Exchange connection error. It’s all good, though.
What previous experiences have influenced your workflow?
Having to be buisiness-minded during my time as a freelancer. That has the majority of influence on how I work and think right now. I’m helping develop the web section where I am employed and 90-something percent of my/our strategies in this area come from things I learned (to avoid) while freelancing.
What other disciplines influence the way you work?
Can’t think of any right now.
Is there anyone in particular you have learned from?
No, not regarding work flow.
What things help keep you focused on the work at hand?
Having a background in fine art, I really have a free-spirited approach to just about everything I participate in. I have no problem with it. I feel it keeps me stress-free and what not. (Others tend to mistake for apathy...whatever.) But, I do like to get things done. What keeps me on task is the sense of responsibility. I like to deliver what I promise. If that means missing an episode of Ugly Betty, Heroes or Smallville... So be it.