All Images belong to and used with permission from IAMU
We first came across the
IAMU collective on
Instagram, with stunning photos, and beautiful backdrops and models they really are eye catching. However unlike many other temporary tattoo brands and companies, there is a much deeper creativity and influence to their brand. We also adore their mantra 'We hope you enjoy our creations and take pleasure in spreading
IAMU’s message of happiness, creativity & joy.' What a beautiful message that is.
We asked
IAMU's
Chris Soll to answer some questions for us to learn more, and here they are. We hope you enjoy!
Tell us about what you do. We are a merchandising platform for social influencers.
IAMU Collective is the brainchild of
Rochelle Fox & myself
Chris Soll. We wanted to create a business that is all about collaborating with lots of people, whilst utilizing our natural given abilities.
What does an average day at work look like for you?In short form. Wake up, stretch, meditate, breakfast, drawing, emails, social media, work out, meditate, read a book, sleep.
Do you primarily work alone or with other people?Life is all about collaboration, so we work with lots of people.
Is this what you wanted to do as a
child? Did you end up in this job by “accident” or was it a
planned career choice?
It's been a long progression. Personally I
spent 6 years in corporate doing in-house graphic design. Eventually
I switched to working freelance from home and now 3 years later IAMU
is now my main focus.
How long ago did you start on this
path?
I've been drawing things on my arms for a good 25 years
now.
How long were you doing it before
you made it into your career or primary form of income?
Graphic Design was my chosen career
for 10 Years before this business took off.
Did anything significant happen to
get you to that point, or was it a series of small steps?
Step by step you get ahead.
You can purchase these here
What kind of education do you
have?
Bachelor of Graphic Communications from a Sydney Design
college.
Do you think official qualifications
are important for someone entering your industry?
I think
Educational Institutions provide an environment within which one can
grow & develop. In the Art community I think the primary factor
in success is the work you complete after your qualifications.
If you went to school, did you enjoy
studying? Could you see where it might lead you at the time? What
advice would you give to someone else who might be studying to get
into your industry?
I've never been very academic. My strengths
lie more in having a vivid imagination.
My advice would be to
treat the time you have as a finite resource. Make the most of your
years studying to really push yourself creatively. Stretch yourself
as far as you can, because this will lay the groundwork for your
propulsion into the industry. Picasso said all children are born
artists, the hard part is staying that way as we grow up.
Instagram super star Mimi is one of the collective.
What do you think is the best thing
about what you do?
Well, as I mentioned I literally spent my
entire childhood drawing all over my arms with pens & markers. So
the best thing for me personally is that I now get to do for work
what i've always done for fun.
What’s the worst thing?
Having
the superhero complex. Meaning, you do every possible job in your own
business. There is no 'off time' yet, as we grow this will change
once we hire someone though, so there is a light at the end of the
tunnel. But for now weekends are meaningless.
Would you call yourself a
workaholic, & if so, are you alright with that? Do you think
that’s normal for your industry?
Somewhat, but I think we keep
it within a healthy boundary. Bill Gates didn’t take a single day off
from age 20-30. I’m not going that extreme, but I do have respect that
every action has an opposite reaction and what is often perceived to
be an 'overnight success' usually takes about 14 years.
What would your number one
suggestion be for someone who wants to do what you do?
Follow your bliss.
...How about number two?
Think
for yourself. Everyone is making it up as they go along, no-one has it
all figured out. Start now and fix as you go.
What do you wish you had known when
you first started out?
Vedic Meditation.
Do you ever have any ethical
dilemmas with the work you do?
Hmmm not really, it's a pretty
mutually beneficial set-up. Customers seem happy, collaborators are
happy, suppliers are happy, we're happy. :)
How cool?
What is the best thing that’s
happened to you as a consequence of the work you do?
Free time to explore my mind.
What motivates you to keep doing
what you’re doing?
The fact that the sky is the limit
and that people are decorating their bodies with our drawings, which
is pretty humbling.
Rate how happy you are with what you
do out of 100 (100 being the best, 0 being devastatingly awful) on an
average day.
100. I couldn’t imagine myself doing
anything else at this point in my life.
Is there much career progression
available to you? What would you like to do next?
Expand our range, expand my mind,
push it to the limit.
Do you think you’ll continue doing
this for the rest of your life?
I hope so :)
We would like to thank Chris SO much for taking the time out to answer our questions, we know what we shall be wearing at Glastonbury and the Summer festivals! To find out more about IAMU you can find them at the following places:
Or to find out more about the collective you can find all them here:
