Chuck Anderson: Maverick-Built Foundations

Chuck Anderson possesses an inimitable type of raw talent some artists spend a lifetime failing to achieve. At just twenty-three, the freelance illustrator, photographer and designer has racked up one of the most impressive client lists imaginable, manages various personal projects like NP&Co and The Brilliance, yet still possesses a down-home charm rooted deep in his Illinois upbringing. Behance sat down with Anderson to discuss higher learning (and his lack thereof), knowing one's boundaries and failure as inspiration.

Anderson forewent a college education, instead opting to jump headlong into the life of a freelancer. "I never suggest or urge people to choose that route, because I think it's risky and for very few people...but I certainly feel like it's a piece of conventional wisdom that I have defied.  However, I don't set out with the message of 'Hey! Look what I did without school!'  in a proud manner, I just think things happened to pan out for me in a very unorthodox way." Getting a foot in the door, though, required tenacity and consistency -- something important regardless of education levels.  "I would say one of the most unique things I've done in general that often led to successful projects and in turn successful ideas was to spend enormous amounts of time getting contact information for all different kinds of brands, agencies, magazines, firms, record labels, etc. When I first started out, I would go through magazines in bookstores and write down editors and art directors names in a notebook. Then I'd just spend hours emailing people, introducing myself, and getting my work out there in a very direct way. "

To make it past creative roadblocks, Anderson relies heavily on past experiences. "There are certainly ways to curb those frustrations and challenges and make sure you know how to get through them every time they present themselves. One of the biggest things that plagues a freelancer's career, life, and mind is the constant hope that you will continue to get work and be able to make a living through your work.  As well as things have gone for me over the years, I never get so confident as to think that things will keep falling in my lap.  You basically just always have to be working at promoting yourself, doing press, getting your work out in new and interesting ways."

Like many of his contemporaries, collaboration is a key element in Anderson's creative process. "Collaboration, whether it's with a client, another artist or photographer, a musician, or whoever always is good for inspiration and ideas because the whole essence of collaborating is to put the strengths of two people together and assume each can do things the other can't.  It's always inspiring to see my work end up on a product made by someone who is an expert in their craft, whether its furniture, shoes, screenprints, tshirts, or whatever.  It's a good way to get a look inside another talented, creative person's mind."

Regarding organization, he enlists a little help as well as trusting his instincts and knowing his own limits. "My wife Holly is an amazing person to keep me in check and accountable for getting my work done on time and getting it done well.  Aside from her though, I try my best to get all my work done on time or early and a big part of that has to do with learning when to say no to other things, whether it means saying no to going out some night with friends or saying no to a potential new job.  You have to know your limits as an individual freelancer and make sure you don't spread yourself and your creativity too thin. Sources of inspiration [for me] are so varied... lately I'm most inspired by the thought of failing.  Whenever I get afraid of things not going well, I get super motivated and kick myself into high gear in order to move my work and life along."