37 Questions with Emma Roberts

Originally published in December 2020

An organized creator and big-picture thinker, Block Club designer Emma Roberts produces work that reflects both her exacting research and spot-on intuition, not to mention her impressive illustration talents. In this installment of 37 Questions, a humble nod to Vogue’s 73, we chat with Emma about her inspirations, her aspirations, and her favorite word with no English equivalent (among a few dozen other fast and fun topics).

1. What did you do last weekend?

   I celebrated my birthday with my family, which included watching my brother juggle fire.

2. What do you do for fun?

   Ride around the city on my Onewheel, play video games, and hang out with my friends

3. What’s something no one knows about you?

   I was a competitive gymnast for 10 years.

4. Amazing! What was your best event?

   I loved floor. In my free time, I was usually making up choreography and tumbling around the backyard.

5. So, what keeps you busy these days?

   Working on personal art projects and playing on an Ultimate Frisbee team

6. What inspires you?

   Being surrounded by nature and other creative minds

7. Who’s your favorite living artist?

   It’s difficult to narrow it down to one. Overall, I lean toward artists that use dark fantasy themes. A few that come to mind are illustrators Mary Syring and Micah Ulrich and tattoo artist William Pacheco.

8. How do you define beauty?

   I believe beauty is having confidence in yourself but also supporting and empowering others.

9. What do you want to do more of?

   More hands-on art. I became a little too absorbed by digital artwork this past year, and I have neglected my sketchbooks.

10. What’s a skill you’re working on mastering?

    Making handmade paper out of recycled paper and plants

11. What are you passionate about?

    Finding new ways to be creative, whether that’s renovating a piece of furniture, learning an instrument—or making handmade paper

12. What’s the best time of day to be creative?

    Every day is different. Often times, I’ll be lying in bed at night and get an idea, so I’ll write it down to work on the following day.

13. What are you proud of?

    How much I’ve grown as a person over the last few years

14. How have you changed?

    I focus on mindfulness to better understand who I am and how my actions affect others.

15. What words do you live by (or try to)?

    I try to find happiness in everyday, mundane objects and activities.

16. What are you looking forward to?

    Going to a cabin and being in the middle of nowhere with some great friends

17. What’s your current pop culture obsession?

    The Boys. I love the way they are using satire to tackle current issues in American society and politics.

18. What’s your favorite word?

    Son-mat. It’s Korean and roughly translates to the specific, irreplaceable flavor of someone else’s cooking.

19. How do you decompress?

    With a glass of wine, a blanket, a book, and my cat

20. What makes you happy?

    Simple acts of kindness

21. Where is your favorite place in the world?

    Anywhere in nature where I can feel alone—preferably, next to an open body of water

22. What is your best habit?

    Waking up early. I’m definitely a morning person.

23. What is your worst habit?

    Overanalyzing situations

24. Who do you look up to?

    My siblings. They’re the coolest people I know.

25. What does an ideal day off of work look like?

    An early morning sitting on my balcony with coffee and a book, going SUP boarding, and then a night of horror movies

26. How do you want to be remembered?

    As a good friend

27. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

    Failure is inevitable. Instead of viewing it as a negative experience, learn from it, and turn it into an opportunity for growth.

28. Do you have a routine that you are adamant about keeping up?

    My nightly skincare routine

29. What is challenging about your job?

    When I have a creative block. They are the worst.

30. What do you want to accomplish?

    I want to live in another country.

31. What did you buy last?

    A coffee and cinnamon roll from Five Points Bakery

32. What did you Google last?

    A recipe for a chocolate mug cake. My sweet tooth can’t be tamed.

33. Where do you want to go?

    Japan

34. How would you describe yourself in one word?

    Energetic

35. What keeps you up at night?

    My cat meowing in my ear

36. What’s helping you stay positive right now?

    Living with a cat and roommates. It’s hard to be sad when you’re surrounded by friends and have an animal to cuddle with.

37. If you won the lottery, how would you use the money?

    To travel the world