Interview
Johnathan Snook
What are some things you do to help yourself into the state of mind necessary for creative work?
Half the work is just getting in and playing around. Just get something on the canvas. From there, it can begin to be molded. It’s really the details that take the most work.
Do you follow a strict daily (or weekly, etc.) routine with regard to workflow, or is every day (or week) different?
My routine is fairly strict, mostly because it has to work around family obligations but within those constraints, things are pretty fluid. Working freelance allows me the freedom to reorganize my schedule as need be, which is nice.
Do you prefer to work in a closed, private environment free from other people and distractions, or in a more open, collaborative environment?
When I’m in the thick of things, I prefer the isolation. But I miss having the opportunity to talk through a problem with somebody. To solve that problem, I’ve got a lot of people on IM that I can ping if I need to.
What do you do to get your day(s) started in the right direction?
I find my biggest hurdle is just concentrating. That’s why I lately, I just gotta jump in and start working on something, even if it’s just a little. After that, things tend to snowball. It’s been an effective technique.
What task management technique do you use?
I use Outlook in a few ways to manage tasks. First, I have favourite folders that I use to see active projects. I use my Inbox as a to-do. Quick reply to what I can, archive what’s done and flag important stuff and file away.
What things tend to disrupt your workflow?
Way too many things! Email, IM, Twitter, RSS, forums… But when I’m in the zone, I completely forget about the rest. It’s all about getting “in the zone”.
What previous experiences have influenced your workflow?
Life experience in general, all the previous jobs I’ve held. You have to be conscious of your own habits and understand how you set yourself up to fail. If you recognize the signs, it’s easier to get back on track.
What other disciplines influence the way you work?
None specifically but I’ve often thought to get into meditation as a way of improving my focus.
Is there anyone in particular you have learned from?
I haven’t been overly conscious of how other people approach similar problems. As a result, it’s been a self-taught approach to things. But that’s reflective of how I approach most things. I’m a very self-directed learner.
What things help keep you focused on the work at hand?
Shut off the distractions. Shut down all the sites, set IM to offline, close email. It really does help.