My dad’s an artist and luckily, my family always really encouraged me to express myself. It wasn’t easy for me growing up, so I used painting as an outlet to get through tough times. In an urge to get a ‘real job’, I actually trained as a chef, but I couldn’t deny my creative side. I don’t think I could handle the uncertainty of the tortured artist life, so eventually realised that graphic design was the perfect combination of creativity and control.

The web is the best rabbit hole to fall down. I read anthropology books, 'cause I’m fascinated about societal structures. I get triggered by something and put a pin in it. After a while, I’ll come back and make connections, or forget about it altogether.

Here's the view from my desk at ...,staat:

Breathe. Take a step back. Leave it for a few days. At work, deadlines mean that it isn’t always so easy, but going for a walk always helps.

Wandering around the city, or somewhere else, with a camera or someone with a hand to hold.

1. Athenaeum Boekhandel, Amsterdam – the best place to discover books and magazines

2. Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam – if you want to question your way of thinking

3. Mezrab, Amsterdam – the most welcoming environment you'll find about anywhere

1. @pouriakhojastehpay – he does insane research into the criminal underworld in Tehran and elsewhere

2. @bylennardkok – a minimalist illustrator with a great sense of humour

3. @bray-kevin – his 3D work is like nothing I've seen before

WHATCHAMACALLIT has an event coming up with the Centraal Museum in Utrecht. It's a one-night-only takeover and it's gonna be life-changing. Not that I like to exaggerate, or anything.

Bendt Eyckermans is a Belgian painter and his use of colour and light hypnotises me. His work is kind of surreal and full of narrative. I can drown in his paintings.

Be your own biggest fan and don't let the man get you down.