11 Questions for... Julia Schenk (aka Philuko)

I'm Julia, graphic designer and live with my little big family in Karlsruhe.

02. What did you want to become when you were little and why?

Sounds platitudinous, but it's true: I used to do a lot of painting, toning, folding, and crafting...I definitely wanted to be an artist.

"For me, being creative means always challenging yourself."

03.What do you like about your work or what makes it special?

The fact that I'm my own boss and that I can schedule work and family time as I like - priceless. The fact that I enjoy my work immensely is the greatest gift of all. And being creative, always challenging myself.

04. ...and what not at all?

05. What is your most important work utensil?

It's these three: paper, pen and mouse.

06. What is the most beautiful thing about your workplace?

The Z-chair, which is very comfortable thanks to its coarse mesh support.

07. Where do you get your ideas? What inspires you?

Museums, magazines, blogs, art catalogs, nature - and my kids. The Confetti Dog is a collaborative effort between my daughter and me.

08. What went really wrong last year?

Except for a lost mail item, fortunately nothing dramatic.

09. What is your next goal? What projects do you have coming up?

I just painted watercolors for a wallpaper agency - soon Philuko will be available for the wall as well. In general I find collaborations great, I would like to have more of them; like the one with Coloured By, for which I was allowed to design a lampshade.

10. What is your secret recipe to balance family and job?

I try to strike a balance between work time and family time. The morning is mine, the afternoon belongs to the children. That works out pretty well, since I work from home. And if there's ever a fire, the grandparents are there - that's worth their weight in gold.

11. what you always wanted to tell the world:

There I quote the wonderful Erich Kästner:

"I wish each of you the opportunity for friendship, to experience how happy it makes you happy!"

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