In the animation industry, where working from home is generally possible, the overriding question for many throughout the pandemic is not whether they can keep working but how well. Remote set-ups are the subject of fierce debate — some see them as an opportunity, others as a threat.
Meanwhile, animator Toniko Pantoja is busy ensuring that artists can stay as productive as possible, wherever they are. In a Youtube video, the L.A.-based industry artist presents six straightforward tips on how to stay focused without stressing out:
Pantoja’s advice centers on time management and accountability. He recommends rigorous schedule calendars and advocates the Pomodoro technique, whereby he alternates between 25-minute bursts of work and five-minute breaks. (The technique was also recommended by another an earlier productivity piece we published.) Not only does this enable a healthy work ethic, it also helps artists track how fast they work — useful information when it comes to negotiating freelance work.