I am a designer based in San Francisco and have been working from home, or more specifically from my couch since the pandemic started. I started daily drawing and posting these on Instagram to help cope with stress and blow off some steam. In these drawings, I explore blessings, challenges, and absurdities we have to deal with while working from home.
In fact, I was sitting on the couch so much in the past two years it completely broke down. For convenience, I ordered a new one and it arrived in such an enormous box that it had trouble fitting through the door. These types of everyday work-from-home situations have been an endless source of ideas and inspiration. I try to create one new drawing every day. I’ve enjoyed drawing these, and hope you’ll like them too!
If you've missed my previous posts that are in a similar vein, you may find them here: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X.
More info: Instagram
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While remote work is more convenient (and safe), the line between life and work becomes increasingly blurred. I’ve created this series of charts and drawings illustrating this concept.
At times, working from your house all the time feels very lonely, like you are trapped on an uninhabited island just staring at the screen all day until your eyes pop out. I miss human interaction the most. I found that creating a list of things that I miss about working at the office and drawing it has been very therapeutic.
Another thing that freaks me out about Zoom calls is seeing yourself in a little video all the time, it’s just weird. Also, I am not sure why working from home makes you so tired. Somehow drawing pictures of people being tired makes me less tired.
My creative process is pretty simple. I start with writing down ideas. Sometimes ideas come randomly, sometimes I get inspired by reading the news. My usual process is thinking about my day and finding something interesting about it. Some days I have a lot of ideas and some days I don't. It's pretty unpredictable.
I think because the drawings are inspired by daily life, it's more like a commentary on what's happening right now. Every drawing is a thought, and once I put it on paper it becomes my favorite for a moment. After that, I move on to the next thought, the next drawing. I draw very fast and sloppy, it takes any time from 5 to 30 min to finish each illustration, but coming up with concepts may take longer.
It's funny how you want to sleep when your working but you lay down and want to finish your work
CreativeBlok is actually my Instagram handle. I think the best way to deal with the block is to keep on going. Usually, we are our own toughest critics… but the key is not to let it stop you. Once you are unblocked you have to continue drawing, and if you struggle just move on to the next concept. I find Tibor Calman very inspiring. I also get inspired by Ze Frank, Larry David, and Matt Groening... and of course Gary Larson.
I think the way to be original is to draw about your own experiences... Each person has a unique point of view, we all see the world differently. I enjoy the process of daily drawing and creative routine. My goal is to continue drawing, having fun, and sharing joy with others.
Don't you love when the alarm goes off you sleep for 5 more minutes then wake up to find you've slept for 8 years.
This is one of the things I just don't understand about my current employer trying to get us to go into the office more. For years, most of us have been on teams that have members in multiple locations. We were having all our meetings via teleconference before the pandemic. Whether I'm in the office or at home, doesn't matter. I'm still not seeing most of my team in person and never have.
This is why I don't want to go back to the office. I don't ever want to feel that way again.
I have a dedicated spot I work from and I don't use it for anything else. Don't work from your couch or dining table, people.
I'm a fan of a hybrid approach. 3 days wfh, 2 days in office. Gives me 3 days to actually get stuff done, and then two days to explain what it was that got done to people who will just stare at me blankly.
That's how my highschool does it, it's very nice to be able to see my friends and also get days to do all my school work.
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I propose letting people decide where they can work the most efficient and not forcing people back because some colleagues and bosses see office as a replacement for social life.
Replacement for social life? What about those of us who have moved away from where they grew up chasing a career? Where do you meet friends when you're in your thirties? You just go to a bar and start drinking with strangers? Most adults meet their friends at work 🤷♂️
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No. I don't want a return to office just because some people use the office to socialize because no one wants to hang out with them if they literally aren't being forced to by a corporation. Just let me continue working from home in peace please.
Just build a cabin in the woods already lol doesn't sound like anyone would care judging by your attitude about socializing.
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I'm a fan of a hybrid approach. 3 days wfh, 2 days in office. Gives me 3 days to actually get stuff done, and then two days to explain what it was that got done to people who will just stare at me blankly.
That's how my highschool does it, it's very nice to be able to see my friends and also get days to do all my school work.
Load More Replies... I propose letting people decide where they can work the most efficient and not forcing people back because some colleagues and bosses see office as a replacement for social life.
Replacement for social life? What about those of us who have moved away from where they grew up chasing a career? Where do you meet friends when you're in your thirties? You just go to a bar and start drinking with strangers? Most adults meet their friends at work 🤷♂️
Load More Replies... No. I don't want a return to office just because some people use the office to socialize because no one wants to hang out with them if they literally aren't being forced to by a corporation. Just let me continue working from home in peace please.
Just build a cabin in the woods already lol doesn't sound like anyone would care judging by your attitude about socializing.
Load More Replies...