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What are the best tools and strategies for managing your time as a freelance graphic designer?

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As a freelance graphic designer, you have the freedom to choose your own projects, clients, and schedule. But you also face the challenge of managing your time efficiently and effectively, especially if you participate in graphic design challenges and competitions. In this article, we will share some of the best tools and strategies for planning, tracking, and optimizing your time as a freelance graphic designer.

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1 Set SMART goals

One of the first steps to managing your time is to set SMART goals for your graphic design projects. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By using this framework, you can clarify your expectations, break down your tasks, and monitor your progress. For example, instead of saying "I want to create a logo for a client", you can say "I want to create a logo for a client that reflects their brand identity, meets their specifications, and is delivered by the deadline".

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Bahar Noorishad

Graphic Designer | Logo Design Expert | Social Media Campaign Graphics | Photography & Visual Storytelling | Passionate about Creating Unique and Impactful Designs
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I have a bitter experience in this field, which happened to be very productive. I did a job for a manager and I left a note on it. Please fill out the logo brief. The project was canceled so easily... because I had spoken in an orderly manner and because he considered it my duty to prepare the brief, each client should be treated in his own style, and in this job, one formula does not work for everyone.

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2 Use a calendar and a to-do list

A calendar and a to-do list are essential tools for organizing your time and prioritizing your tasks. You can use a digital or a physical calendar, depending on your preference, to mark your deadlines, appointments, and events. You can also use a to-do list app or a notebook to list your daily, weekly, and monthly tasks, and assign them due dates and priorities. By using these tools, you can avoid forgetting or missing important details, and manage your workload more effectively.

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Lilian Santini ??

Fractional Creative Director ? Founder, The Copper Portico ? Brand Strategy + Creative Leadership ? Helping Brands Evolve and Stand Out ? Open for New Projects and Partnerships: Book Now
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Certain tasks like invoices, client proposals, or even social media posts don't need to be created from scratch every time. Create a template once and you'll save tons of time going forward. Softwares for design, invoicing and client management can be real timesavers here.

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3 Track your time

Tracking your time is a great way to measure your productivity, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and improve your estimates and rates. You can use a time tracking app or a spreadsheet to record how much time you spend on each graphic design task, project, and client. You can also categorize your time by billable and non-billable hours, and by the type of activity, such as research, sketching, editing, or communication. By tracking your time, you can gain valuable insights into your work habits, patterns, and efficiency.

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Amy Pedid

Inclusive Brand Strategist | Accessibility-First Art Director
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Hate the thought of tracking time? Try out different methods until you find one that fits your preferences. I personally write down project times daily in my weekly planning calendar journal and block a thirty minute window at the end of each week to archive the times into my online timesheet. This gives me another chance to reflect on the week and fine tune business goals for next week.

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4 Automate and delegate

Another way to save time and focus on your core graphic design skills is to automate and delegate some of the repetitive or administrative tasks that you do. For example, you can use an invoicing software or a payment platform to streamline your billing and payment processes. You can also use a project management tool or a collaboration platform to communicate and share files with your clients and team members. Additionally, you can outsource or hire someone to help you with tasks that are not within your expertise or interest, such as copywriting, web development, or marketing.

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5 Take breaks and avoid distractions

Managing your time does not mean working non-stop or multitasking. In fact, taking breaks and avoiding distractions can help you improve your creativity, concentration, and quality of your graphic design work. You can use a timer or a productivity app to set a work-break cycle that suits your preference and energy level. For example, you can use the Pomodoro technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and taking a 5-minute break, and repeating this four times before taking a longer break. You can also minimize distractions by turning off notifications, closing unnecessary tabs, and setting boundaries with your clients and family.

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6 Review and adjust

Finally, managing your time is not a one-time or a fixed process. It requires regular review and adjustment to adapt to your changing needs, goals, and circumstances. You can use a journal or a feedback tool to reflect on your achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from your graphic design projects. You can also ask for feedback from your clients, peers, and mentors to improve your skills and performance. By reviewing and adjusting your time management strategies, you can continuously learn, grow, and succeed as a freelance graphic designer.

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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?

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Lilian Santini ??

Fractional Creative Director ? Founder, The Copper Portico ? Brand Strategy + Creative Leadership ? Helping Brands Evolve and Stand Out ? Open for New Projects and Partnerships: Book Now
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With numerous projects on the go, you'll inevitably end up with thousands of assets like fonts, images, and design elements. Investing in asset management software can help you quickly locate what you need, reducing the time you spend searching through folders.

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What are the best tools and strategies for managing your time as a freelance graphic designer?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set SMART goals

2 Use a calendar and a to-do list

3 Track your time

4 Automate and delegate

5 Take breaks and avoid distractions

6 Review and adjust

7 Here’s what else to consider

Graphic Design

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What are the best tools and strategies for managing your time as a freelance graphic designer?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set SMART goals

2 Use a calendar and a to-do list

3 Track your time

4 Automate and delegate

5 Take breaks and avoid distractions

6 Review and adjust

7 Here’s what else to consider

Graphic Design

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