The Freedom of Freelancing with Ingmar Larsen
With a desire for freedom and passion for entrepreneurship, Ingmar Larsen has created a life that reflects his personal values and priorities. From bow ties and tech-free phones, to digital storytelling and design, he has shown you can achieve your biggest dreams and on your own terms.
We were able to chat with Ingmar, a multi-passionate trailblazer filled with incredible ideas for the future.
Hi Ingmar! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a passionate creative Art Director from Amsterdam. With over 5 years of industry experience in advertising, concepts and design, I’ve worked at several international creative agencies like 180Kingsday, SidLee, TBWA and Boomerang. I am passionate about design, entrepreneurship, digital storytelling and great ideas. When I am not finding creative marketing solutions, I am always looking for simple new ideas that stick and leave people with a smile. An example of one of my most successful side-projects is the NoPhone, a technology-free alternative to that nasty phone addiction (that none of us dare to admit they have).
I am currently available for remote jobs around the world. Besides freelancing I am busy with other inventions like the PhoneCell and recently TieBoth.
Can you talk about your leap into entrepreneurship?
After working in different agencies I thought it would be nice to freelance for a bit of time. Therefore I decided to quit and challenged myself to be able to get enough work to pay the bills and leave the safe environment of working for a boss. I have to say, it’s nice to have the freedom, but also challenging in a way.
What is something that you’re currently excited to be working on?
I am currently working on the TieBoth which is a tie and bow tie in one. But besides working on that side project, I am freelancing for different brands and agencies to work on marketing/advertising campaigns doing Art-Direction and some writing. Also, this month I decided to work with another freelance creative and combine our forces. We dedicate our freelance creativity for a good cause, so half of our salary of this month will be donated to a good cause. We call it Creative Charity.
Where do you go (or what do you do) to get inspired?
Browsing on the internet, walking in a park, going to museum— I like the Stedelijk. Basically you can get inspiration from anywhere. Sounds cliché but it’s true. For me there is not a specific place that inspires me; creative ideas appear when you are not expecting to be inspired.
What are some of your favorite books, movies, or podcasts?
I love books that get you moving your ass and are inspiring stories of entrepreneurs. Here is a list of books and movies I like:
Movies/Series
Moonrise Kingdom - Wes Anderson ( Love his style and tone of voice)
The Shawshank Redemption - Frank Darabont
Donnie Darko - Richard Kelly
Inglourious Basterds - Quentin Tarantino
Pulp Fiction - Quentin Tarantino
Books
Shoe dog - Phil Knight
The $100 Startup - Chris Guillebeau
Made to Stick - Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell
What do you love most about Amsterdam, and what is one local place you’d recommend for a visitor?
Back to Black has a great vibe, great coffee, great atmosphere, and the best Apple Pie of Amsterdam.
And for local spots or nice places I am posting on this Instagram account, @streetsofamsterdam.
Great speaking with you, Ingmar! If you’d like to keep up with his work and travels, give him a follow at @ingmar_larsen.