Take 10 with… Danny Carlsen, Head of Design at Shine
In 2020, during level 4 and 3 of Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID response we launched Take 10 With… an article series with you – to do a pulse check on how our community was feeling, working, what you missed, and learn about your hopes for the future.
We had feedback that you really enjoyed the series so we have tweaked the questions and invited more of our friends and peers to participate in these candid profiles of Aotearoa NZ designers today as we navigate this lockdown throughout August and September 2021 in levels 4 and 3.
Who are you? What’s your day job and where do you work?
Kia ora I’m Danny Carlsen I’m the Head of Design at Shine.
Who’s in your bubble this lockdown?
My whānau; My wife Sarah and our kids, Phoebe and Sammy.
What do you like about lockdown?
Walks before work, Impromptu visitors from little people and plenty of home baking.
What do you miss in lockdown?
I’m missing our friends, whānau, team and most of all hitting the beach for a mission or a surf.
What are you working on this week? (we’d love a WIP photo if you can)
From large branding projects, packaging and environmental graphics for an office fitout, there is lots stewing away in the umu. Can’t share too much more at the moment, but looking forward to once everything goes live!
What are you struggling with at present?
The blurring of lines between working at home and whānau life. I’m learning to establish the balance of work, whānau and juggling looking after the kids.
What did you do this week to relax?
With the joys of Spring, we’ve discovered an epic blossom tree down the road. Every morning we kick the day off with a walk to visit this beautiful tree and the many Tui who hangout there. Listening to their song puts things in perspective for the day ahead. Let’s hope that blossom sticks around for a few more lockdown weeks!
How are you taking care of yourself and others?
I really miss catching up with various people in my life. But living in the big bold world of 2021 the VC goes a long way. For us as a whānau, it’s been important to stay connected to our friends and particularly older whānau members. We’ve been on many pub quiz Zoom calls, Hangouts and the good old phone calls to stay connected.
We’ve been creating plenty of art with the kids. Making maps, ziplines in the backyard, baking, it’s been fun. I’m not sure the kids will wanna go back to school!
As a leader I really miss being around my team. It’s been awesome getting to catch up on the VC over the week with them and connecting as friends. Having a laugh or three and talking about who does the best essential bread deliveries have been top of the agenda.
For me, trying to get plenty of sleep and exercise. Stay inspired. Not eat too much home baking 😉
What’s a book or podcast you’re enjoying at present or one you’d recommend and why?
I’ve been listening to:
— That Will Never Work Podcast – Marc Randolph (Netflix Co-Founder), Super inspiring stories of solving tricky business problems.
— World Changing Ideas Podcast – Fast Company, Incredible innovative concepts for that are purpose driven.
— Craig Groeschel – Leadership Podcast, Learning to lead yourself better to lead others better.
What’s a movie or series you watched this week or one you’d recommend and why?
I’m a massive fan of documentaries. I’ve started watching The Imagineering Story on Disney. An inspiring story about the original artists, designers and innovators that were and are behind the concept and building of what it takes to create and build Disney theme parks around the world.
