We had the good fortune of connecting with Frank Lin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Frank, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I’m not sure “balance” is the best word to use actually. I think a better one is “integration”. If you’re lucky enough to be doing a job that’s your passion, then it isn’t about having a hard stop or compartmentalizing between work and non-work. It’s more of a lifestyle mentality. For example if you’re a visual designer, you may not be designing 24/7, but what you do or where you go after working hours will affect how you experience the world and ultimately your creative output. It’s all interconnected, so one has to be mindful that the brain is always processing and tuned in by default.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My visual design career hasn’t been a straight line. There’s been many ups and downs — from the dot com burst to the great recession of 2008, and now the COVID pandemic.

By focusing on one step at a time, I tend to forget about the progress I’ve made when looking back. From that perspective, I’m surprised and proud that I’ve been able to endure, adapt, and evolve based on the opportunities given to me.

I have a few lessons to pass on: First off, nobody truly knows how your story will be. Maybe not even yourself, so believe in your talent and keep pushing even if it seems futile. Secondly, the journey is going to be hard to do alone. Seek out like-minded individuals and support each other’s missions. Finally, if possible find a mentor, as it will help illuminate the road ahead. But to find a really good one is partly dependent on variables out of your control…

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This can easily evolve into a 20page report, so I think I’m going to keep this high level and abstract

A hike at Griffith Park all the way to the Hollywood Sign. Take in the moment of being on top of the city. From there, to Venice Beach where you can see all walks of life — the good, bad, and ugly all passing by each other — the perfect metaphor for L.A. Next, a walk through the streets of West Hollywood where a plethora of stores and restaurants seem to almost overlap into each other, resulting in unexpected surprises. For art, that would be everywhere, but the Getty and LACMA would be the places to get lost at. Finally for food and drinks, Ktown would be the perfect blender of secret spots and discoveries that can fill up an entire night…

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a shoutout to my parents who let me be free to follow my own path, even if they didn’t always understand it. And a shoutout to my wife, Jackie who has always believed in certainty of my success, even if I have yet to achieve it.

Website: www.ideasbyfrank.com

Instagram: @franklyseeking

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/mrfranklin

Other: https://frankjackielife.wordpress.com/ A blog my wife and I started in which we document all of our favorite places in LA and beyond.

Image Credits
Jackie Lin

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