Working, learning, teaching and creating with Wacom at Home

March 22, 2020

Covid-19 has put many of us in a new and unusual situation. We are challenged to adjust to changing rules and develop new habits to prevent us and others from harm. These measures are affecting our daily lives and raise many questions around work and school. Many companies encourage employees to work from home. Schools are closed, challenging teachers and students to find new ways to teach or learn from home. And creative studios are ramping up remote working to secure their production pipelines under tight deadlines.
In the past few weeks, we have received many questions around working, learning, teaching and creating from home. We decided to collect all the information we have around some of the most pressing questions and share them here with you. And while many people are new to this situation, there is also a big group of creative freelancers, who are very experienced in working from home and happy to share some practical advice.

5 Tips for working and learning from home

No matter if you are working, learning or teaching from home, there are a couple of valuable tips that might help you adjust to the new situation.

1. Create a designated space for working and learning

Turn the kitchen into a classroom or the corner of your bedroom into an office. Make it a habit to “commute” to work in the morning and “drop off” your kids at school. Getting dressed apparently can also help to get into an authentic mood.

2. Make a schedule

Set fixed school hours. Maybe download the sound of a school bell to mark the beginning and end of class. Keep regular office hours and separate working hours from time off. Schedule coffee and lunch breaks and stick to them. Avoid too much overspill.

3. Organize yourself

Make to-do lists, set yourself deadlines and keep track of your progress. This will help you stay focused and motivated. Set rules together with the people you work with and the ones around you. Well, one can at least try.

4. Stronger together

We might be sitting at home alone, but we are in this together. To help communication, schedule regular meetings with your team and clients. Socialize and chat with colleagues during breaks just like you would do at the office or at school. Ask them, if you need anything. Chat with your friends and school buddies. Change to video calls to see each other.

5. Keep moving and exploring

If you are not under lockdown, make sure you leave the house regularly. Go for a walk, get some fresh air or exercise. If that is not possible, remember to stretch and change posture regularly.
For a fresh mind, allow yourself time to discover new ideas or learn something new. Keep exploring. Many creative events are changing to online formats. Museums offer virtual tours through their collection. They are a great source of inspiration.

Wacom for Education

Our teams have equipped many schools and universities with technology to make their classrooms and lecture halls digital. Together with partners, they have developed solutions for remote teaching and collaboration in virtual classrooms. And in some of the regions hit hardest by Covid-19, students and parents are discovering how easy and intuitive to use Wacom pen tablets and displays can help with the transition into homeschooling and e-learning.

To find out more, check out the dedicated education section on our website and the following blog posts:

Need some distraction?

Focus is important. But give yourself a break once a while. It’s hard enough already. So, remember we are in this together. And if it feels like the walls are caving in, we might have something for you. Check out the following initiatives for distraction, inspiration and a little bit of fun.

#CasaWacom
Feeling blue about this situation? Have a look at this inspiring and encouraging campaign initiated by the Wacom team in Italy, the first European country that went into lock down. We have great art and practical advice from our ambassadors waiting for you. Go here to find out more.

#wacomworkspace
Ever wondered how other people work from home? Follow the hashtag #wacomworkspace and @Wacom on Instagram and get a glimpse of the workspaces of creatives from around the world. It’s fun, inspiring and a great distraction. Wacom on Instagram

THU TV
Our friends at Trojan Horse was a Unicorn have opened their video archives to share inspiring talks from some of the most amazing artists with you. Check out what you need to do to get free access here.