Addison James

My favorite item in my workspace is the artwork hanging above my record player. It's an original piece created by Wayne Coyne (of The Flaming Lips) that he gifted to my wife and me as a Christmas present (the underlying poster was designed by Oliver Hibert for their album "With A Little Help from My Fwends”).

It's a blend of sharing and collaborating with other designers, taking walks outside, listening to music, and watching movies. I start every workday with a 30-minute stretch routine to wake up my body and get me in the right headspace. But I really find my stride in the back-and-forth of collaborating and refining ideas. And nothing beats the inspiration I get when my wife leaves fresh flowers from our garden on my desk.

Given that I typically spend around 10 hours a day at my desk, I make it a point to step away from my computer on the weekends. I've been a computer geek all my life, so design rarely feels like work. But maintaining a balance between designing for my job and exploring my own personal design interests is key.