Five Quick Questions: Ellen Freeman

Five Quick Questions: Ellen Freeman

1. WHAT’S ON YOUR CURRENT PLAYLIST?

Los Angeles Azules, a classic cumbia sonidera band from Mexico City. They're playing a free show on my birthday (which happens to be Mexican Independence Day)!

2. SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW?

People who know me wouldn't be surprised by this at all, but I can't stop touching my hair. Left to my own devices, I will just sit and stare into space and stroke my hair, searching for the kinky ones. It doesn't help that a few months ago I had an unfortunate encounter with a gas water heater that singed off my bangs, so they're kind of wiry in a way that provides a whole new sensory experience. This is actually a big problem when I'm working; I either have to put my hair up or wear a hat to keep my fingers on the keyboard.

3. A RECENT PURCHASE THAT YOU REALLY ENJOY?

My partner and I bought a car! I'm a cheapskate, so I really didn't enjoy the buying part—but now that that's over, I'm really enjoying driving through the Mexican countryside, listening to the radio, and being able to pull over at every roadside elote stand that catches my eye. The only issue is that the passenger-side window sometimes doesn't roll up and we're in the middle of rainy season...

4. WHAT HABIT ARE YOU TRYING TO IMPLEMENT OR GET RID OF AT THE MOMENT?

Besides hair-touching? I'm trying to implement “office hours” for myself: workingand not doing anything else, like scrolling through Instagram or folding the laundryfor a certain number of hours, and not working/checking my e-mail when those hours are over. I thought I wanted freedom from the 9–5, but it turns out that I could benefit from the structure. (And, you know, I can always go to brunch during my “office hours” if I really need to.)

5. A BOOK THAT CHANGED YOU?

The Travel Book: it's made by Lonely Planet, and it's a HUGE tome with a double page spread on every country in the world, including photos, key phrases in the local language, traditional foods, movies to watch/books to read/music to listen to in order to get a sense of the culture, etc. Fingers crossed they'll hire me to write the next edition.


FIVE QUICK QUESTIONS IS A SHORT FEATURE WHICH COMPLEMENTS THE IN-DEPTH EPISODE WITH GUESTS FROM THE CREATIVE VOYAGE PODCAST, PROVIDING INSPIRING CONTENT WHICH IS NOT RELATED TO THE INTERVIEW. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST EPISODE WITH ELLEN FREEMAN →

Recent Episodes

  1. On Passion, Patience & Photography with Myesha Evon Gardner

    Myesha’s approach to photography, including influences, gear, experimentation, shooting analog and working in the darkroom, her mindsets about growth and finances, lessons she learned from her father, who is a musician, the importance of patience and passion, risk-taking, her most essential rituals, and more.
  2. How to Be an Interior Stylist with Colin King

    Colin’s work/life balance, the source of his motivation, how he approaches interior styling, work routines, his thoughts on professional growth and relevancy, the power of asking for help and of helping others, his challenges along the journey, including encounters with addiction and his path to sobriety, and more.
  3. On Courage, Embracing Change and Lifelong Learning with Astrid Stavro

    Life-long learning and continually being a student, Astrid’s work routines, advice for young designers, her experience as a Pentagram partner, what makes for a good piece of graphic design, how to orient ourselves during times of change, and more.
  4. On Knowing Ourselves, Growth and Long Term Goals with Chidy Wayne

    The importance of knowing ourselves, Chidy’s work routines, managing finances as a freelancer, the importance and challenges of personal growth in the face of modern distractions, advice for young creatives, his views on the craft of illustration, including style and trends, and more.
Monthly Edit Newsletter, Curated By ⤵