It’s three in the morning, your hand is clutching the Wacom pen like it’s the Holy Grail, and you’re drooping over the keyboard. In this scenario, what’s the one thing you’re craving the most? No, not coffee—though that might help. No, what you’re needing more of is time.
If you’re like most designers, you feel like you’ve got too much to do and not nearly enough time to get it done. But fret not, because though it’s a long road to efficiency, we have a few hand-selected tips that will streamline your workflow. Grab that fifteenth cup and check below, Soldier: We’re here to help!
Learn the Power of No: If you feel like you have no time to get anything finished, then perhaps your problem lies further up the design chain. Learning to say no to a potential client is a vital skill for any designer, and something you’ll eventually want to invest in. Learn to reject any projects that will take too long, especially if they don’t pay well. We understand you want as much work as possible, but if the project will only waste time and cause stress, what good is it? Instead of sailing the Titanic of all design projects, simply refuse to take the boat.
Outsource Like No Other: We know it’s taboo and all, but we’re big fans of outsourcing. If you’re pursuing a project that stretches slightly out of your area of expertise, don’t hesitate to hire another designer to get the job done. Why spend forever working on a logo design when all your doing is fighting your own experience? Instead, hire another peer who can complete the logo in an hour flat. It’s slightly more expensive, but in the long run you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches.
Ditch the Facebook Like a Bad Relationship: We’re very serious about this one. Close the browser, and turn off any other distractions, if you’re on a time crunch. Don’t waste your hours away on Facebook or Reddit (Cheers for the derpers out there!) until the project is finished. Instead, treat those outlets as a reward for hard work. It gives you an incentive, as well as something to look forward to. If you work slower with music playing, turn that off, as well. Though Damien Rice may get you in the mood design, if you’re too focused on the melody to draw, it’s counterproductive and should be eliminated.
