Debbie Millman’s ongoing project “What Matters,” an effort to understand the interior life of artists, designers, and creative thinkers, is now in its third year. Each respondent is invited to answer ten identical questions and submit a nonprofessional photograph.
Pedro Izique is a creative director at Someplace in Los Angeles. He has won numerous times at Cannes and has been featured in Lürzer’s Archive, Monocle Magazine, CCSP, LatinSpots, Portfolio Lovers, AdAge, Campaign, Adweek, Muse by Clio, and others.
What is the thing you like doing most in the world?
Nothing beats playing soccer at the park with my kids, Benji and Sebs, unless you count watching them argue over who scored while I pretend to be the ref. By sunset, I trade my cleats for a glass of wine and enjoy some well-earned peace with my wife, who’s also survived the chaos.
What is the first memory you have of being creative?
My first memory of being creative was sneaking a flashlight into bed so I could keep drawing under the blanket after lights out. While the house slept, I was busy sketching worlds, characters, and creatures in secret—my own little universe lit up by a tiny beam of rebellion.
What is your biggest regret?
I have a hard time feeling true regret when it comes to my career. Even when a decision doesn’t lead to the ideal outcome, I try to see it as a chance to learn and stretch my perspective. For example, I once chose to work with a director who, let’s just say, had a talent for pushing all the wrong creative decisions during production. It was frustrating in the moment, but when we got to the edit room, we had to get scrappy and inventive to “fix” things, which ended up pushing the work to a really interesting and, why not say, unique place. It taught me that sometimes the wrong path can still lead to the right destination… just with a few creative detours.
How have you gotten over heartbreak?
Time is the only medicine.
What makes you cry?
What really gets me emotional is watching a good movie on an airplane. For some reason, being 35,000 feet in the air turns my feelings up to 100—suddenly, a mildly touching scene hits like a full-blown Oscar moment. I’ve teared up over underdog sports movies, talking dogs, even airline safety videos (not true). Something about recycled air and tiny pretzels unlocks my soft side.
How long does the pride and joy of accomplishing something last for you?
I don’t take any accomplishment for granted. I know how hard it is to make something that actually connects with people or even just holds their attention for more than a second. In a world full of noise, creating something that lands, even in a small way, feels huge. That’s why every little win in my career stays with me. I hold on to them like souvenirs from battles won.
Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, what does that look like to you?
Not really.
What do you hate most about yourself?
Dealing with bureaucracy has always been tough for me. At first, I almost wore it like a badge of honor, proudly avoiding forms, deadlines, and anything that involved a printer. But now, with kids in the picture, it’s no longer charming—it’s just painful. Every document feels like a boss level I wasn’t trained for, and every trip to a government office tests the limits of my patience… and my will to live. I hate that.
What do you love most about yourself?
Not taking things too seriously helps me lift some of life’s pressure off my shoulders. When I learn to laugh at the chaos instead of stressing over it, everything feels a little lighter and more manageable—kind of like giving myself permission just to breathe and enjoy the ride.
What is your absolute favorite meal?
Lasagna.
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