We had the good fortune of connecting with Chelsea Haines and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chelsea, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I was really fortunate to start out in the industry with a job that fostered a healthy work-life balance- something I find incredibly important to my creative success and mental health. Creativity can be very difficult to summon without a grounded headspace and external stimuli from activities outside of work (including rest!)

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am currently freelancing as a graphic designer, photographer, and illustrator. Within the realm of design, I gravitate towards branding and identity systems and often take on projects that incorporate illustrative elements. My creative output and headspace is largely rooted in my fine art background, giving me a broader toolbox of material solutions and traditional skills to bring to a digital world. The roots of my creative career stem from studying film photography- a passion that I will always foster!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh wow this is going to be quite a list!

Atlanta has some of the best beer I’ve ever had- Monday Night, Scofflaw, Wild Heaven, 3 Taverns… Great brews and great vibes.

A couple of a my favorite spots are the Atlanta Dairies (Wonderkid is AMAZING), East Atlanta Village (Argosy is a must go to bar with a late night free pizza deal that you can’t beat), The Optimist is a perfect dressed up night out for oysters and cocktails), and Redbird has Birdy Biscuit Saturdays for some southern breakfast biscuits that are to die for.

Atlanta coffee is also pretty stellar with Brash on the Westside being one of my faves, and Chrome Yellow in Edgewood with a great atmosphere to sit down and finish a novel.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Big shoutout to the book “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert. This read changed my life. “Big Magic” is a guide to creative living in the most inclusive sense of the phrase. She brilliantly speaks to a path of pushing through fear in order to reach our most fulfilled state of creative being through sustainable mental habits. What I love most about this book is the motivation to adapt the guide to any passion in life- whether it be ‘traditionally’ creative (ie: art, writing, performance), or something not as traditional like sports / gardening / tai chi / loom weaving / etc. I have often come back to this read for love and inspiration.

Website: www.chelseajhaines.com

Instagram: @cjhaines

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-haines-35255b99/

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