Spaces // Alyssa Yuhas

It’s so great to see every week how each creative’s workspace reflects their personality and style. This week’s Spaces, features Alyssa Yuhas, one of the lovely ladies behind WLWL Magazine and is a talented graphic designer, who recently made the leap into freelancing - check it out!

Tell us about yourself as a creative.
I am a graphic designer specializing in both print & web design. I absolutely LOVE what I do. I’m lucky to be designing for an eclectic mix of clients who are from all over North America. This month, I’m also working on the 10th issue of WLWL magazine, which should be released at the end of April. WLWL is a magazine about sharing the things we like and love, which is a spin-off of my blog: ilikenicethings. On top of all of that, I assist & art direct for my husband (who is a photographer) and volunteer doing design for my church.

Describe your creative journey.
I’ve been creating from a very young age, but went in the opposite direction after high school when I began pursuing an academic route in college (I was going to be a mathematician!). A little while in, I had a little a-ha! moment where I realized all I wanted to do was create, get my hands dirty, and be surrounded by art, culture & design. After I got my degree in Visual Communications (Design), I worked for a few years in a boutique design studio & about two years ago I moved to a larger advertising agency. Recently, I gave up agency life and made the move to full-time freelance (I’m my own boss! Ah!), which has been both the scariest and smartest decision I’ve made. It’s a lot of hard work, but I’m getting the freedom to work on really exciting projects with inspiring people. I probably sound like a broken record, but I am in love with what I do!

Share a little bit about your space.
My husband and I share our space and it’s small, a bit crowded, but we make it work! We work side-by-side which is nice, because even when we are both head down, focussed and nerding out at our computers, we can still be with each other, listening to music & seeing what the other is working on. We basically stare at a wall filled with a lot of visuals: a large painting (by a friend I went to college with that has the most amazing textures and colours), a paper cut by Rob Ryan, a nautical clock (I collect clocks) and our inspiration board filled with polaroids, photo booth fun, favourite business cards, notes, stickers, buttons, etc… Our space is filled with old and new, bright and muted, kitsch and minimalist. Elvis even makes an appearance.

What’s your favorite thing about your space?
My favourite thing?!! Can I have two favourite things? 01 // My chalkboard which saves my life, and keeps me organized by showing the projects that I have on-the-go and those that are upcoming. Since I’m a visual person, being able to see my “To Do” list constantly (& interact with it) is a must! 02 // Our growing library of design, photography and creative books and magazines. I’m on the computer often 8+ hours a day, so it’s the absolute best to be able get off of the computer and sit down with a book or magazine to get inspired. I think some of my best ideas happen when I step away from the computer, and let my mind wander in a book.

What’s one thing you think every creative needs in their space?
Oh! There are so many things that are helpful– but I would say: surround yourself with things that make you smile or make your eyes light up. Having an actual inspiration board has been awesome for us, as it’s a constant reminder of where we are at visually or where we want to be. Keep items on your desk or pictures on your wall that inspire you and spark an emotion inside. Creativity often happens through osmosis (is that even the right word?), so be surrounded by things that you love, because it will rub off onto what you are creating.

Thanks so much Alyssa!

*Photos by Alyssa Yuhas

Spaces is a weekly feature, sharing fellow creatives, designers and artists’ workspaces’. I’m currently taking submissions and would love to share. If you think you’d be a perfect edition email hello@evablackdesign.com!