How I Spend My Workday
By Elise Nersesian-Solé
Brainstorming is a major part of Walters' job.
Photo Credit: Mark Peterman
Caroline Walters, 26 Phoenix, Arizona
Occupation: Graphic designer at Bluefish Design Studio
Annual Income: $43,000
7 a.m. Mornings are when I get stuff done — pay bills, water plants, or clean my apartment, all while watching the Today show. I work in an artsy office, so I can have fun with my wardrobe. Usually I wear cropped pants, a cool T-shirt, and heels.
9 a.m. My firm designs company logos and websites. Our office space is very sunny, with large windows, high ceilings, and no cubicles. Instead, there are 15 or so desks scattered around, so we're able to talk throughout the day and bounce ideas off each other. It's a laid-back atmosphere. Twice a year, the boss takes us to Mexico for a "team building" weekend. We're all friends, so it's not weird, except on the first Monday back you think, Um, my coworkers have seen me in a bathing suit!
11:30 a.m. This is about the time when my artist's block strikes. I need to be creative, but because of my deadlines, I can't just sit around and wait for inspiration to strike. To get my brain going, I usually click on my favorite websites, like Pinterest and Brand New. Sometimes we take field trips to the companies we're working for. Once, we visited a spa we were potentially going to work with, and everyone got their eyebrows waxed.
2:30 p.m. I've found that my brain works best after lunch, so this is when I start working on new projects. My computer has a giant screen, so I put on a pair of headphones, turn on some country music, and lean back in my chair to get a better visual perspective on my logos.
6:30 p.m. If I'm not on the treadmill — and let's be honest, the treadmill happens only sporadically — I'll go to happy hour or meet up with my girlfriends for drinks. My last relationship ended in December, so I'm having fun being single. Afterward, I'll head home and make dinner for me and my roommate.
9 p.m. Right now I'm also freelancing on the side, designing my friend's wedding invitations and programs. So I'll do that after-hours, maybe look at fashion sites like Refinery29 or veg out on the couch watching Real Housewives. I'll watch anything on Bravo.
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