How can you create and manage design assets effectively?

1 Define your design asset types

The first step to create and manage design assets effectively is to define what types of assets you need for your design project. Depending on the scope and complexity of your project, you may need different types of assets for different stages of the design process, such as ideation, prototyping, testing, and presentation. For example, you may need sketches and wireframes for exploring and refining your design concepts, mockups and renderings for showcasing your design solutions, and icons and logos for branding and identity. You should also consider the format and quality of your assets, such as whether they are digital or physical, vector or raster, high-fidelity or low-fidelity, and so on.

2 Organize your design asset folders

The second step to create and manage design assets effectively is to organize your design asset folders in a logical and consistent way. You should create a folder structure that reflects the hierarchy and flow of your design project, such as by phases, categories, or functions. For example, you may create a folder for each phase of your design process, such as research, ideation, prototyping, testing, and presentation, and then subfolders for each category or function within each phase, such as user personas, sketches, wireframes, mockups, renderings, icons, logos, and so on. You should also name your folders and files clearly and descriptively, using keywords, dates, versions, and other relevant information.

3 Use design asset management tools

The third step to create and manage design assets effectively is to use design asset management tools that can help you store, access, share, and update your assets easily and efficiently. There are many tools available for different purposes and platforms, such as cloud storage services, online collaboration platforms, design software, and plugins. For example, you may use Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to store and sync your assets across devices, Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD to create and collaborate on your assets online, and Adobe Creative Cloud, Affinity Designer, or Inkscape to edit and export your assets in various formats. You should also use tools that can help you manage your fonts, colors, icons, and images, such as FontBase, Adobe Color, Noun Project, or Unsplash.

4 Follow design asset guidelines and standards

The fourth step to create and manage design assets effectively is to follow design asset guidelines and standards that can ensure the quality and consistency of your assets. You should follow the guidelines and standards that are relevant to your design project, such as the industry, client, or audience expectations, the design principles and best practices, and the technical specifications and requirements. For example, you should follow the guidelines and standards for industrial design, such as the ergonomics, aesthetics, functionality, and usability of your products, the material, color, and finish choices, and the manufacturing and environmental constraints. You should also follow the guidelines and standards for design communication, such as the typography, layout, and visual hierarchy of your documents, the clarity, accuracy, and relevance of your information, and the compatibility, accessibility, and security of your formats.

5 Review and update your design assets regularly

The fifth step to create and manage design assets effectively is to review and update your design assets regularly to keep them up to date and aligned with your design goals. You should review your design assets at key milestones of your design project, such as after each phase, feedback, or iteration, and check for any errors, inconsistencies, or improvements that need to be made. You should also update your design assets whenever there are any changes or developments in your design project, such as new requirements, features, or solutions, and make sure that all your assets are synchronized and compatible. You should also backup your design assets frequently and securely to prevent any loss or damage.

6 Share and showcase your design assets effectively

The sixth and final step to create and manage design assets effectively is to share and showcase your design assets effectively to communicate your design ideas, solutions, and outcomes to your stakeholders, such as your clients, colleagues, or users. You should share and showcase your design assets in a way that suits the purpose and context of your design project, such as by using the appropriate medium, channel, and format, and by tailoring your message, tone, and style to your audience. For example, you may share and showcase your design assets by using email, web, or social media platforms, by creating presentations, portfolios, or case studies, and by using PDF, PNG, or GIF formats. You should also share and showcase your design assets in a way that highlights the value and impact of your design project, such as by using storytelling, data visualization, or testimonials.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?