Paloma, the super woman behind Half & Twice, has her fingers in all the pies. As she says "life is short", you may as well get involved in all of the things! Paloma is one of those wonderful people who believe in helping others out on their journey— it's great that she finds it invaluable to her own practice.
Give us the elevator pitch on what you do.
I am a graphic designer, art director, entrepreneur, and founder of my own creative studio called Half & Twice. I also host Ladies, Wine & Design in Madrid; collect beautifully designed products, which I later photograph and showcase on my inspirational blog The Garret; interview a bunch of people I admire; and try to get involved in as many side projects, collaborations, and networking opportunities as possible. Life is short! :)
What does a typical working day include for you right now?
I like to sleep well and my routine does not involve waking up early. Otherwise I’m in a rotten mood all day! I check my schedule for the week over coffee, and take a little peek at social media to see what’s going on. At around 10am, I get to work, go through emails, often still in my pyjamas. The rest of the day is usually dedicated to a specific project, with the occasional Skype, or IRL meeting. I love these because I get to drive into the centre of Madrid, which is always super inspiring. I tend to multitask a lot, and, luckily, I have several days a month dedicated to photo shoots, events, personal projects, and other fun stuff.
Who are your top five design crushes right now?
Jessica Walsh, Eva Goicochea, Nathan Williams (Kinfolk), Helen Rice (Fuzzco), and Tobias van Schneider.
Are you involved in any teaching and if and how it shapes your practice?
As a Squarespace Specialist, I run tutorials for some of our clients. Earlier this year, during our first Ladies, Wine & Design event, I also ran a workshop on how to create an online portfolio using Squarespace. It was fantastic, and I’m planning a whole new series of workshops. We also do portfolio reviews at LW&D with design students and professionals who are looking for advice and feedback. And at Half & Twice, we offer mentorship sessions for those taking the plunge into the scary world of freelancing.
Being involved in these projects has really influenced the way I work. It’s been a valuable opportunity to meet new people who share the same interests, fears, and goals. And sometimes just speaking out loud helps you take stock of how far you’ve come and the things you’ve learned along the way.
"sometimes just speaking out loud helps you take stock of how far you’ve come and the things you’ve learned along the way"
What has been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt along the way?
— Be patient. Keep working. Don’t give up.
— Give yourself some free time to get inspired.
— Collaborating, sharing, and connecting with people is an invaluable experience.
— Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint.
— It’s ok to feel lost sometimes. Just rest, tomorrow will be a new day.
Whats on the cards professionally and personally in the next 12 months?
Half & Twice is (and will always be) a work in progress. Right now, we’re focused on getting even more involved in collaborative projects, while continuing to work with clients worldwide. Every few months, we look back on our progress and plan our next move, and we’ve recently decided to offer long-term services for clients who are looking for sustained brand management.
Personally, I’m always trying to figure out how to find that work/life balance. Which means finding the time to travel, relax, and hang out with family and friends. All the things a person needs to be happy!
Where to find Half & Twice online.
Website: https://www.halfandtwice.com/
Instagram: @halfandtwicestudio
Facebook: halfandtwicestudio
Behance: halfandtwicestudio
