Meet Julia Latkins | Creative director

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

Hi Julia, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
A topic about balance is definitely number one in my highlights, especially when it comes to a discussion with my friends. At the first sign, it looks pretty obvious and easy to accomplish.

Ideally, all of us have to find a way to balance in between all our life needs. Are you familiar with the psychological term ‘The Wheel of Life’? You can draw a circle on a piece of paper and place all the things that matter to you in life. It can be a career, travels, health, sport, love, parenthood, education, any hobbies, hangouts with friends, family, etc. For instance, when we are working and hanging out on the weekends, our life wheel isn’t spinning. We are not living life to the fullest. We need to fill our life with all important needs to feel truly happy. We must find time for each point and balance between all of them. Afterwards our life will become successful and fulfilled, and our mental health will be in the right
condition.

Undoubtedly, based on my personal experience, it’s not easy to accomplish. It is way easier to dip into only a few areas of life and not bother yourself about others. Being busy does not lead to achievement or fulfillment. Sooner or later you’ll get that feeling that something is missing in life. Career success can’t compare with emotions after meetings with friends, hugs with loved ones, or these breathtaking feelings after seeing sunset somewhere in mountains or discovering new cities. And these butterfly feelings after a first date.

It’s a challenge.

Balancing during the time of freelance was hard for me. I had a feeling I was working 24/7 sometimes. I was still traveling, dating, and meeting up with friends, however, I felt stressed most of the time mainly because of not working enough, as it seemed to me back then. I was carrying that feeling somewhere deep inside during all the meetings and journeys. It was quite stressful. I work for an LA-based fashion brand as an art director full-time right now. And it’s a solution for my mental health these days. I still do extra hours apart from my regular schedule (I can’t help it, I’m a workaholic), I brainstorm ideas, do research and many more, but balancing between work and other aspects is better now. Just to mention, practicing yoga from 1 to 3 times a week helps a lot, I’ve been doing it on a regular basis for the last 3 years.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Oh my, it’s a very long story. I’ll try to explain briefly. I possess a degree in graphic and interior design and started my career as a graphic designer a long time ago. My super power is attention to details. I don’t know where it came from, perhaps from interior design skills… Guess I got it from my family. I’m very passionate about details, I see them and work with them. ‘God is in the details’ is definitely a mantra for me. I tend to make every project better just by adding some sparkles, digging deep into details.

I moved to Los Angeles three years ago from Chicago, and I came to Chicago 9 years ago straight from Russia. It was pretty challenging. Moving has definitely contributed to my professional and mental growth. As an art director of an LA-based e-commerce company, I am very excited to work there. The fashion industry is pretty new for me as a full-time worker and I’m learning a lot about the processes, and seeing a lot of opportunities for my professional growth.
Previously I mostly worked with branding, its visual presentation and strategy, photo and graphic content. This year challenged me in directing and storytelling of video content and commercials. The main lesson I’ve learned is a constant change of various processes and the ability to be ready for that, be flexible and open.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love to explore new spots and even run an online magazine called ‘The Lokal’ dedicated to outdoor experiences and trips across the globe.
I reside on the East Side of LA, but I love to move around. I love Sqirl and Honey Hi for a nourishing breakfast. The food and vibe are both amazing there. Try Sqirl’s seasonal Green Shakshuka, you won’t regret it! I’d also recommend visiting Gjusta and Great White on the West Side. Plant Food + Wine is perfect for dinner and Dudley Market for casual hang-outs with friends. As for coffee, my forever love is Primo Passo on Montana. Another cool local spot is Gnarwhal Coffee Co. on Main. El Matador Beach is touristy but I love it.

Speaking about good coffee in my area, it’s undoubtedly Maru in Los Feliz, yet Alfred, and Dinosaur Coffee. I love working there sometimes. The East Side of LA has one of the prettiest locations of Intelligentsia Coffee in the city, right on Sunset blvd., and my favorite Bar Stella is next door.
I bring all my friends to the Hungtington library when they visit. The Garden Sculptures & Fountains melt my heart every time! A few months ago I discovered the vintage Los Feliz Theater. It’s very tiny but this is its main advantage. I adore that place with all my heart. As I’m close to the Arts District, I often go to Hauser & Wirth Gallery, the bookstore next door, and Manuela restaurant for dinner. Maru has a spot here as well, plus Boxx Coffee Roasters Co. is another good coffee spot to check. I love Dover Street Market. It’s truly a little fashion museum. I adore their stagings so much plus they have very cute Greek vibes cafe inside. The Broad museum is out of competition. IlCafe on Broadway is good for a cup of coffee in the morning and a glass of wine in the evening. No Ghost Bears is a hidden jam in the streets of the Fashion District. Wild living Foods on Main and 8th and Ramen Hood in Grand Central Market for all vegan food lovers. Oh, I almost forgot Caldo Verde at the Proper Hotel. Stunning interior and great food for every occasion.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I truly believe each person we meet throughout the lifetime makes an impact on our ways. But I want to highlight four beautiful women I met in Chicago. I am very proud to know them. Nina Hazhala is one of my oldest friends here in the US, yet a co-founder and editor of The Lokal magazine. Her infinite love and ability to see beauty everywhere is my true inspiration. We worked on many articles and creative projects together. She has the finest taste that she
translates into each part of her life. I can definitely say she is my main mentor. We used to live together for half a year and I still reminisce about our morning coffee talks about love, art, and life. Alina Tsvor is another artist we worked together with back in Chicago. She is an amazing photographer who provided me with her support in many ways. She even gifted me her second full-frame camera so I could shoot assignments for The Lokal. She is one of the nicest and most talented people I ever knew. Marianne Shakhova is an artist and one of my closest friends. We spent a bunch of days and nights speaking about art and sharing ideas. She is the one who always cheers me up and admires my work. Hopefully not only because we are friends. I think I can call her my mental adviser. Sometimes we both feel lost on our life journeys but she always finds a way to support and guide me. I know one day, very soon, we will get together, two successful artists, and will find new ways to ’take over the world’ (c) (Pinky and The Brain). And last but not least is Kat Yanke, my fashion and culture adviser. Kat is one of the leading experts in an educational project for training new stylists. We met a long time ago in Chicago but got closer and started working together only a few years ago. She has a sophisticated minimal style and everything about her work is very impressive. Moreover, she is my partner in crime for good thrifting, road trips, and wine experiences.

Website: http://jlatkins.com/

Instagram: j.latkins

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-latkins/