As a graphic designer, you probably have to juggle multiple projects, deadlines, and clients. How do you manage your time and energy to deliver quality work without burning out? In this article, we will share some tips on how to prioritize tasks as a graphic designer, based on your goals, resources, and constraints.
The first step to prioritize tasks as a graphic designer is to assess your current workload. How many projects do you have on your plate? What are their deadlines, requirements, and expectations? How much time and effort do they need? Make a list of all your tasks and sort them by urgency and importance. Urgent tasks are those that have a tight deadline or a high impact on your client's satisfaction. Important tasks are those that align with your long-term goals, values, and vision. Ideally, you want to focus on the tasks that are both urgent and important, and delegate, automate, or eliminate the ones that are neither.
You also need to know your strengths. Some projects that don't typically take as long to complete can be done quickly, to help you make more available time for a longer, more pressing task.
Do not accept any commissions without writing a signed contract strictly outlining the specific procedures in development, your and the client's obligations, terms and conditions, and penalties for failing to abide by them. This protects you in case the client fails to pay you for your work, whether that be through negligence or fraud.
Some practices that have always worked for me : - Start by listing tasks, time sensitive projects first and then the rest. - Do lots and lots of research and create moodboards - helps with setting the tone and direction of the project. - Create a check list and tick off the completed tasks. Finish off small tasks first for a satisfying sense of achievement. - Always keep your inspiration inventory updated with new trends. Check which tasks align with your inspiration stash to keep creating new ideas and staying motivated. - Always be open to a 3rd person's opinion to see the task from another perspective. If need be, edit / redo and ready, set, launch! ??
The things that can be done fast should be done first. If there is a longer project on the back burner it is good to pay it a visit every now and again for a fresh perspective. Also when the time comes to complete the long task, you won't have to start from zero.
Graphic design projects can be complex and multifaceted, and working with multiple stakeholders can be challenging. Start off by evaluating your project requirements, setting deadlines, and identifying the necessary resources to meet these requirements. Categorizing projects based on their complexity, strategic importance, and financial impact is also necessary. With a clear roadmap and effective communication, you can prioritize tasks, ensure efficient collaboration and deliver high-quality designs that meet client expectations. Maintaining organized communication channels with clients and the internal team will keep everyone aligned, and the project moving forward smoothly.
The next step to prioritize tasks as a graphic designer is to set SMART goals for each project. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By setting SMART goals, you can clarify your expectations, track your progress, and adjust your plans if needed. For example, instead of saying "I want to design a logo for XYZ company", you can say "I want to design a logo for XYZ company that reflects their brand identity, appeals to their target audience, and stands out from their competitors, by next Friday". This way, you can break down your task into smaller steps, assign priorities, and estimate the time and resources needed.
Effective goal setting is a fundamental step in taking any project from thought to fruition. An approach that has worked well for me involves breaking down complex tasks into miniaturised components. By zeroing in the core & crucial first steps, we gain clarity, hence, a smoother execution. Consider a simple analogy in the context of a design project. At first glance, the entirety of design layers might appear overwhelming, but by dissecting them into individual components, we achieve a more organised & streamlined view. When tackling any project, comparing the overall view to focusing on micro-projects that eventually converge towards the ultimate objective promotes consistency while sustaining motivation throughout the entire process.
A graphic designer’s approach to planning a design project is essential first to managing the elements / resources required to layout a wel defined path to successfully achieve the goal. A good design incorporates the views or the impact or the emotional response of the target audience. The question “why” and “ for whom” has to be answered while planning to design. To achieve this, we can then go there the next step to gather the information/ research. Keeping in view our goal we can prioritize how or how many ways to showcase this information pictorial/ video/ audio video/ graphic with text. It’s essential to keep in mind the time frame and budget to complete the project to retain its value.
The third step to prioritize tasks as a graphic designer is to plan your schedule accordingly. Based on your SMART goals and your list of tasks, create a realistic timeline for each project. Allocate enough time for each task, considering the complexity, creativity, and feedback involved. Also, leave some buffer time for unexpected delays, revisions, or emergencies. Use a calendar, a planner, or a project management tool to organize your schedule and keep track of your deadlines. Try to avoid multitasking, as it can reduce your focus, quality, and productivity. Instead, work on one task at a time, and switch to another one only when you finish or reach a milestone.
3 things: 1. My "before 1pm" brain operates at max creativity, so I schedule my most loaded tasks before then. 2. There are only 3 project-related tasks on my daily to do list. This leaves me the rest of the day to respond to email, calls, and the unexpected. 3. Block off time to eat lunch and promote yourself or your work. Everyday, you're covering your clients, getting the breaks you need, and building your brand.
If you have control over your own schedule also allow some buffer time for creative dips so that you can fully swap out tasks. These moments are perfect for admin! If you work with a project manager and don’t have the same level of flexibility, create some wiggle room for yourself within the project. For example, if you are working on a branding and experience a creative dip, you can pause the creative phase and focus on setting up the presentation for the client. Creating the page templates to be filled in later on.
The fourth step to prioritize tasks as a graphic designer is to manage your energy levels. Graphic design is a creative and demanding profession, and it can take a toll on your mental and physical health. To avoid burnout, stress, and fatigue, you need to take care of yourself and your well-being. Make sure you get enough sleep, exercise, and nutrition. Take regular breaks throughout the day, and do something that relaxes or recharges you. Set boundaries with your clients, colleagues, and yourself, and learn to say no to unrealistic or unnecessary requests. Also, celebrate your achievements, reward yourself, and seek feedback and support from others.
Three things I'll add to ensure you're covering your clients, your mental breaks, and self promotion: 1. My brain is most energized before 1pm. I schedule the tasks that require the heaviest brainload before 1pm. 2. There are only 3 things on my to do list daily in that before 1 time block. The rest of my workday is spent on calls, email, the unexpected, and self promo. I also prepare the next day's to do list at the end of the current day. 3. I block time for self promo which is mostly social media engagement or developing business products.
As a designer, it is important to manage your schedule, know your daily creative boundaries and plan your day according to that. I always make a priority list of the work I am doing based on my unique capacity as a designer. There is some time kept aside for little helps that I may be asked for in a day but i never let those spill into my priority task time. When there are multiple work requests, its calming to tick off the items on the list.
Taking breaks is huge! You don't have to grind it out and work through the night. I understand when you get into a creative flow. You just want to keep working because you are in the groove. Every hour, step away from the computer to relieve your eyes. Your body will thank you. As a freelancer, I am learning to balance work and life. It's sometimes difficult because I love what I do and I want to be their for my clients. It's okay to set healthy boundaries because your home life takes priority too.
The final step to prioritize tasks as a graphic designer is to review and improve your performance. At the end of each project, or at regular intervals, evaluate how well you did in terms of quality, efficiency, and satisfaction. What went well? What went wrong? What can you do better next time? Identify your strengths and weaknesses, and look for ways to improve your skills, processes, and systems. Learn from your mistakes, failures, and feedback, and apply the lessons to your future projects. Also, keep yourself updated with the latest trends, tools, and best practices in graphic design, and seek opportunities to grow and innovate.
Always worth recording crucial work tasks and designs via spreadsheet or notebook..etc, keeping on track of stuff you have done, and when you are reviewing and reflecting on the notes, you know where you are and clue up the next steps.
I use Pencils to paper to most projects to stay on tasks but I also use ClickUP to assign tasks to interns and staff. I love Basecamp but it’s too pricey.
Understanding your clients target market and goals. Honestly most graphic designers have a tendency to believe that the design they develop is exactly right and get offended when the client wants something different. Make sure you truly understand the client’s needs and what they are trying to convey to their market.
Know your client. When prioritizing tasks as a Graphic Designer make sure you know the client as a priority. Understanding their expectations and behaviors will help prevent missed deadlines and last minute redesigns. If you know a client to always get ad copy in late, it's important to adjust your schedule to be able to work quickly under pressure. Taking actions such as prepping images and design alterations can be helpful, as well as contacting the publication in advance to let them know your client's design may arrive behind schedule. Adjusting your schedule around the client may seem troublesome, but knowing your client is one of the most critical skills a Graphic Designer must refine to be a professional.