You're working on a long-term animation project. How can you manage your time effectively?

in animation a good approach to define your goal is to go from: Macro → MIcro Define the main theme of the story first and from there you move on to the tiny details as you go rather than starting from it.. I personally find this approach quite effective

Working on many aspects for a short time can be beneficial for several reasons. Additionally, switching between tasks can prevent boredom and monotony, keeping your mind engaged and motivated. This can enhance creativity and problem-solving abilities as you approach challenges from different angles. Moreover, focusing on multiple aspects for shorter intervals can help manage time more effectively. By breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable chunks, you can maintain momentum and prevent burnout. Overall, embracing variety and flexibility in your work routine can lead to increased productivity, personal growth, and a more fulfilling professional experience.

Clearly outline the objectives and milestones of your animation project. Establishing specific, measurable goals will provide direction and focus for your work, helping you allocate time more effectively.

It is crucial for staying on track and meeting deadlines. To stay organised and productive, we should set goals, set the schedule, prioritize Tasks, eliminate destruction, take breaks to relax yourself... You will get your target and you can accomplish...

In this massive guide I try to cover (almost) everything you might need to know about animation if you're trying to get into the animation industry. I'll cover some of the basic concepts of animation, vocabulary, principles, software, hardware, books, courses as well as some of the options for people who want to get into the animation industry, but are overwhelmed or intimidated. I'll go over what is animation, what it takes to make animated movies (2D or 3D), and even how to start looking for a job in the industry.

Once you have your goals defined Now is the time to execute: → Here scheduling comes in handy You need to allocate time accordingly to lead the project to it's completion. Without proper scheduling the project is gonna take ages to complete..

Create a detailed schedule that allocates time for various tasks, such as pre-production, production, and post-production phases. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable chunks and assign specific time slots for each aspect of the project.

By creating a detailed timeline and breaking down the project into smaller tasks, I can effectively manage my time and stay organized throughout the duration of the project. By setting clear goals, establishing priorities, and utilizing time management techniques such as the Pomodoro method, I can ensure that I make the most of my time and complete the project successfully.

The most effective method for tracking time and prioritizing tasks in our and action agency is Asana. We use it to mark each project stage's timeline, ensuring we stay on track with deadlines. Moreover, it's convenient for clients to use it as well, as they also have access to the necessary project details and can monitor milestone completions.

As I shared if at all its not managable by me alone, I'll bring one more artist on board and then schedule the number of hours we each can work to finish everyday deadlines. If we manage to meet everyday output then gradually we will have the project finished on time. If at all there are technical challenges appearing more than usual then its better to hire one more tech artist to resolve those on freelancing basis. What I believe is the more we bring people on the basis of need, the more easier it becomes to finish the task. To keep track of daily tasks I use trello.com which is easy to add and transfer between different boards. Also have an excel sheet to track the overall progress. Dividing the work is the best way.

A prioriza??o de tarefas n?o pode ser definida na linha de produ??o. Deve ser pensada estrategicamente com o time de Produ??o e com a Dire??o geral. Mas como definir as prioridades? Estabele?a processos onde os profissionais de linha consigam enxergar as suas demandas por um determinado período (seja uma semana de trabalho ou até mesmo uma quinzena). A partir daí, busque formas de controlar essa produtividade dos profissionais (eu utilizo um sistema de pontua??o que estabele?o uma rela??o direta da complexidade da atividade versus o seu tempo de realiza??o). Apresente os números (bons ou ruins) para o time com regularidade. Isso engaja. Reaja rápido e comemore as pequenas vitórias.

Understand that time spent in one area of production will result in cutting elsewhere, especially on small team projects. No one wants to make cuts to projects that are unplanned, especially if time has already gone into developing assets/shots that are no longer going to be seen in the final. Go into the project with a clearly defined high priority and low priority list. For example, if you are animating characters that require more time than your regular bipedal/reference based shots, you might have to sacrifice time elsewhere to support this endeavor. If modeling is a low priority for those shots, meaning those assets are won’t see much screen time, assets could be reused/purchased instead of custom built.

Here's an effective approach for prioritizing Try following this approach : Starting → Ending → Middle This way the parts where you have to keep the viewer hook get more of your attention then the rest of the animation..

Identify the most critical tasks that contribute directly to the project's progress and prioritize them accordingly. Focus on completing high-priority tasks first, ensuring that essential elements of the animation are addressed efficiently.

In terms of prioritizing tasks for a long term project its always great to start with all challenging shots. Whatever shots you feel is going to consume more time or might have technical challenges, should always be addressed first. The reason behind that is we have more time to figureout things for important ones and later even if the other easier ones are pending more than the per day quota, still they can be deligated to others in urgency. Also deligating easy shots at end helps save money because artists won't be able to charge more for easy work even if you are in pressure. And chances of getting people work for you increases due to less quality requirement because it might be hard & risky to find quality artists at end of deadlines.

Tracking progress is not only important for the long term but also during the project... Being aware of how long the project will take to complete and whether the set milestones are on schedule or not..

Keep track of your progress regularly to monitor your project's development and identify any potential delays or issues. Use project management tools or techniques such as Gantt charts or Kanban boards to visualize your progress and stay organized.

Animation follows a clear sequence without which none of the stages would be possible. To track each of these stages, we at and action use custom boards in Figma. These are boards specially crafted by our team, where we can monitor which stage of the project we're at and what still needs to be done. Within these boards, we have the script, storyboard, illustrations, and only when they're ready do we proceed to the animation phase.

The best way to track progress for a long term animation project is to divide all tasks into everyday quota. - Create an excel sheet which includes everyday tasks from everyone who is working on it. - Keep marking the progress and try to avoid delays. - If at all the work exceeds the backlog to more than 10% of the total work, you need to take serious actions and make sure that is completed in next few days along with those days quota. Because if this is kept unanswered till the end then it increases the pressure to get it done on time. I have personally tracked progress like this and it becomes so easy at the end to wind it up smoothly. Taking Baby Steps and disciplining yourself to finish daily tasks is the key to progress.

Once, you are done with the project it's time to reflect on the project, how it can be done better and whether the method you followed suits you or not..

Periodically review your work to assess its quality and identify areas for improvement. Solicit feedback from colleagues, mentors, or clients to gain valuable insights and refine your animation accordingly. Continuously striving for improvement will help you maintain momentum and meet project deadlines effectively.

Em qualquer tipo de presta??o de servi?o, a primeira coisa a se fazer é ouvir. Esteja atento. Ninguém conhece melhor o seu negócio, do que o próprio dono. Crie, sugira, opine, mas principalmente escute. Receber feedback é andar pra frente. Esteja disposto a mudar, a reconsiderar. N?o entenda isso como um ataque ao seu trabalho. Nesse ambito, todos est?o remando pro mesmo lado.

When the overall work is divided into daily tasks, that itself means that the tasks are approved. All the feedbacks and reviews has to be addressed on that day itself. The calulation is specifically done on approval basis. This is the right way to progress. Most of the times people forget to include feedback time while finding daily quota which creates a huge backlog at the end and everyone starts blaming each other for not finishing the project. As I said just commit to finish what is needed on that particular day and you will win the final game.

Be adaptable and prepared to adjust your schedule or priorities as needed to accommodate unforeseen challenges or changes in project requirements. Additionally, practice effective time management techniques such as minimizing distractions, setting realistic deadlines, and taking regular breaks to maintain productivity and avoid burnout.

Vindo de uma empresa 100% remota, com profissionais atuando nos mais diversos locais e fusos, sentimos muito a necessidade de ter um sistema que pudesse controlar a produtividade do time. Mas isso n?o é uma tarefa simples, quando se trabalha dentro de um universo artístico. Nem sempre as ideias de sistemas prontos, funcionar?o para você. é um fato. Ou seja, você será obrigado a criar as suas regras. A dica aqui é: n?o se importe tanto com qual ferramenta ou sistema você irá fazer uso. Isso pode e vai mudar ao longo da trajetória. Fa?a dar certo aqui que você escolheu. Defina os motivos dessa escolha (seja ela simplicidade, dinheiro, conhecimento, etc) e fa?a dar certo.

To manage time effectively on a long-term animation project, consider: Setting Clear Goals and Milestones This helps track progress and maintain motivation. Creating a Detailed Schedule Use project management tools like Gantt charts to visualize the workflow. Prioritizing Tasks Focus on high-priority items to ensure timely completion. Time Blocking This helps maintain focus and productivity. Avoiding Multitasking Switching between tasks can lead to distractions and reduced productivity. Taking Breaks Short breaks can help refresh your mind and improve overall productivity. Communication and Collaboration Effective communication can prevent misunderstandings and delays. Reviewing Progress Regularly Periodically review your progress.

To manage time effectively in a long-term animation project, break the project into smaller tasks with deadlines. Create a detailed schedule outlining milestones and allocate time for each task. Prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency. Use productivity tools, like project management software, to track progress and stay organized. Regularly reassess and adjust the schedule as needed.