8:00 Commuting
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, remote work has become widely adopted. I was particularly grateful for the swift setup by my company, especially as it came right after I had a major illness.
Even so, I now commute to the office about half the week. The reason is that Iʼve realized the importance of face-to-face communication in creative work. Creative ideas often spark in the moments when peopleʼs insights and intuitions collide in person, and being present in those moments helps capture them.
9:00 Arriving at Work
The flex-time system is appealing. It allows me to align my working hours with the time when Iʼm most productive. However, as I progress in my career, internal and external communications (emails, calls, meetings, etc.) increase, leading to a more conventional work schedule.
After arriving at the office, I start by preparing materials for upcoming meetings. A significant part of a corporate designerʼs job involves communication rather than pure creation.
11:00 Meeting
We have a meeting with the public relations, technical, and prototype departments to prepare for a major exhibition next month. Even when in the office, meetings with many attendees like this one are often held online. Some members might be working in the factory or have already arrived at the location and are joining from their business trips.
I share the prepared content related to my part and stay aware of the overall situation. An in-house designer is a jack-of-all-trades. Anything considered design-related becomes our job. This might feel constraining for those who want to pursue their own artistic expression, but for me, fulfilling roles as part of a team working towards a common goal in a corporate setting is rewarding and suits me well.
12:30 Lunch
Today, since the weather is nice, I have lunch in the open courtyard.
I always make sure to eat, no matter what. Itʼs both a principle and a desire. A lack of energy clearly lowers my performance.
Todayʼs menu is a bagel sandwich with vegetables, a healthy choice. Since having a major health issue, Iʼve been careful about my health. Iʼm grateful to our companyʼs cafeteria for stocking healthy yet tasty products.
14:00 Checking Membersʼ Progress
A younger team member working on the same project consults me, and I check the direction and quality of their work.
We are currently developing a new feature for an information service using tablets. Not just limited to screen-related work, I always emphasize making a lot of visible, touchable, and movable items quickly to gauge user reactions.
The final design outcome often depends on customer or client feedback, so I rarely feel confident until the end. Therefore, I try to thoroughly explain the current status of the work to the team members and provide concrete feedback to reduce their anxiety and uncertainty.
16:00 Design Work
As the end of the day approaches, I finally get to my design tasks. Finding time for this work is an ongoing challenge. Without improving my corporate skills, I wouldnʼt even secure time for design. This struggle was significant for me, so I hope others learn from it.
Today, Iʼm working on modeling. When modeling, I always have a sketchbook and measuring tape on hand. I confirm shapes by hand-drawing, check lengths, thicknesses, and radii with the measuring tape, and alternate these with screen operations.
I started learning CAD after joining the company, and alternating between hand sketches and CAD has deepened my understanding of 3D modeling. As I immerse myself in the work, I gradually enter a comfortable state of concentration.
18:30 Leaving Work
Time flies when Iʼm engaged in design work. Even if some tasks remain, itʼs best to call it a day once I feel my focus waning. After going home, having dinner, and refreshing myself, I tackle the remaining work in short, focused bursts.
20:00 Checking Emails and Working
After dinner, I finish up any leftover tasks. This includes communications with relevant parties, checking the schedule for the next day, and preparing materials. Occasionally, urgent matters arise that need immediate attention, but fortunately, today was trouble-free. Thus concludes a day in the life of a company employee.
I donʼt think about work after hours. Finding ways to relax and rejuvenate is crucial for long-term employment.
Now, I need to complete my daily quests, so Iʼll take my leave here. Until we meet again!
