Thursday, 26 October 2017

Interviewing your heroes

What is an interview?

Exchange of information as a question and answer session to extract information that we see as important in the development of our practice as a creative.

Interview is more planned unlike a conversation which is more spontaneous.

Preparation is key, arrange the interview and the interviewees will need contacting in advance. You will usually have to give an indication of how long the interview will take, the purpose etc. Ensure you have information to hand. How and where will it take place? This needs considering prior to your approaching of potential interviewees.

An interview is better 'face to face' but in some cases that may be impossible, such as distance and time. Consider if this can be done in another way. But never take the easy route, Skype of FaceTime are available as alternatives.

Before you contact anyone, have a valid reason to want to find out things about them. Ask a series of relevant questions.

An interview requires good planning, proper preparation and a sensitivity to the questions.

Be attentive

Empathy 

Prompts 

Probes (clarification)

Checking

Be friendly 

Written notes

Audio recordings

Online record 

The first question is significant, it should put the interviewee at ease. It should be something that they will be able to answer easily. Keep checking your notes
Remember to thank the interviewee for giving up their time.

Transcribing- this always takes a long time, so be mindful of this when you consider interview length.

Interview examples:

Jessica Walsh Interview

Sandara Choi Interview

Paula Scher Interview

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