The reason I chose Frank Chimero’s interview (#110) for our Interview of the Week is quite simple: It goes straight to the heart of what really matters… in life. By the time you get to the end you’ll see what I mean.

Interview #110 with Frank Chimero Question #1:

[DesignIsMyThing] Where are you from and what do you do?

[Frank Chimero] I’m from New York and Missouri. I now design, illustrate, think, teach and live in Portland, Oregon.

Interview #110 with Frank Chimero Question #2:

[DIMT] Are there any inside jokes or personal experiences captured in any of your illustrations? In other words, something that has greater meaning for you but the world would not recognize?

[FC] I have a habit of putting friend’s silhouettes in my work. It’s a nice little way of saying thank you to the people who are important to me. And, it helps me care about the work and form stronger personal connections to the task at hand. (Sometimes it’s hard to get into an illustration about supply chains.)

Interview #110 with Frank Chimero Question #3:

[DIMT] How do you know when its time to step back and unplug from an assignment. Or are you the type to keep going until your satisfied?

[FC] Usually the assignments have such short deadlines, there isn’t much time to bust an axle and over think an assignment. Each job leads into the next, and momentum begets more momentum.

Interview #110 with Frank Chimero Question #4:

[DIMT] Can you share one bit of advice about life that also applies to design?

[FC] Care intensely