Through the D.Cast series we will be bringing you insights, stories and reflections from our community.
DINZ Interview
Pros & Cons - Jen Cheyne & Rose Nola
Covid-19 change… what are we taking with us, what are we leaving behind and where will we be working?
Long time colleagues, Jen Cheyne (Jen Cheyne Design Ltd) and Rose Nola (Logic Design Ltd., Ngā Puhi/Ngātiwai) talk about their experiences and the pro’s and cons of home vs studio. Ways to make it work for you… or not, and what things might look like post lockdown.
Working alongside each other since 2002, they have been through agency life, going out on their own in business, getting married, having 5 kids between them and navigating the challenges that brings.
Some tips and insights to help with the fresh challenges we now face as designers and design business owners in the age of Covid-19. The new normal of working from home and how that is changing mindsets and the business landscape. Or will it? Will we go back to our old ways? What should we take with us into this new phase and what has this time and space taught us that we want to do differently. Thoughts and arguments for both sides that ultimately will be different for all.
One thing we can all agree on though, is the importance of upholding and reinforcing the value of strategy and design through this uncertainty, how do we do this and the long-game benefits for businesses in what is certainly a difficult, but hopefully time for opportunity.
Main points
Positives / negatives working from home
Understanding expenses
Charge-ability
Not devaluing design through this change
Collaboration and a space to collaborate (both are essential)
Too much home-alone is bad
Strength in teams / duo’s
Lock-down insights
Growth post-COVID
Freelance / admin / design ratio
Fostering clients • Good work brings growth / challenges
The future of studio spaces
Jen's Take and Leave Lock-down List
Take List: Turn emails off am / pm (take off my phone)
Reduce unnecessary ‘rush’
Do I need a nanny?
Family dinners where possible
Continue online PT training as well as face-to-face
Reduce kids commitments
Eat seasonally
Continue quick exercise reg i.e a run (reduce need to travel far)
Less car time
Continue online ordering for goods (less rush / more efficient / less food waste)
Less eating out (family) creating food memories at home
Kids learning chores (able to reduce nanny)
New thinking re space (share rent / days)
Reading physical books
No work in the weekends
Regular face-toface catch ups with other respected colleagues
Not Take List:
Home Help
A collaborative space
Word of the Day
WEEK ONE
Excited
Decisive
Discombobulated
Challenge
Proud
Gleeful
Grounded
WEEK TWO
Satisfied
Relentless
Steady
Numb
Consistent
Organised
Challenge
WEEK THREE
Up beat
Settled
Cranking
Calm
On a mission
Balance
Grumpy
WEEK FOUR
Ground hog
Flat
Steady
Happy
Glum
Beautiful
Innovative
WEEK FIVE
Achieved
Industrious
Family
Nothing
Optimistic