Design Like a Pro: Hacks to Keep Your Spark Alive Under Pressure

Let’s be real—being a designer is equal parts exhilarating and exhausting. Deadlines loom, creative blocks hit, and yet you’re expected to pull off miracles on a pixel-perfect platter. So, how do you keep the creativity flowing without losing your mind? This week, let’s dive into productivity hacks every designer needs to survive (and thrive!) in high-pressure environments.

1. Work Smarter, Not Harder: Tool Tips for Effortless Flow ???

Every designer knows their tools can make or break their workflow. But are you really using them to their full potential?

? Figma Hack: Use the “Swap Libraries” feature to easily test multiple design systems without starting from scratch—it’s like a magic wand for iterations.

? Excalidraw Tip: Need quick ideation sketches? Pair Excalidraw with sticky note apps like Miro to quickly map ideas and share visual concepts with your team.

? Pro Tip: Automate repetitive tasks with plug-ins (hello, Figma’s Stark for accessibility checks). Spend less time tweaking and more time creating.

Takeaway:

Your tools are your superpower—learn them inside out, and they’ll help you save hours of work while levelling up your designs.

2. Time is of the Essence: Balance Creativity and Deadlines ?

Ever felt the rush of an idea… right before your deadline? Designing a clock is tricky, but here’s how to get it right:

? The 80/20 Rule: Spend 80% of your time perfecting the core concept and 20% polishing details. Sometimes, “good enough” is great.

? Batch Work: Group similar tasks (e.g., typography tweaks, component adjustments) into one block of time to stay focused.

? Schedule Creative Time: Book non-negotiable “deep work” slots in your calendar to brainstorm or iterate without interruptions.

Takeaway:

Structure your time intentionally, and you’ll find more space for creativity to breathe—without your deadlines breathing down your neck.

3. Beat Burnout Before It Beats You ??

Designing is emotional work, and burnout can creep in faster than a last-minute client edit. Here’s how to keep your spark alive:

? Change Your Environment: If you’re stuck, move—literally. Take a walk, doodle on paper, or swap to a different workspace to refresh your mind.

? Micro Breaks Matter: Work in sprints (e.g., 50 minutes on, 10 minutes off) using tools like the Pomodoro timer to recharge throughout the day.

? Celebrate Small Wins: Finished a wireframe? Nailed a client presentation? Pause and give yourself a moment to celebrate.

Takeaway:

Staying creative isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about stepping back, recharging, and returning with fresh energy.

Closing Thought

Designers, we’re in the business of making the impossible look easy. But productivity isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter, giving yourself room to breathe, and embracing the tools and habits that keep the magic alive.

What’s your go-to productivity hack as a designer? Share it with me—I’d love to hear what keeps your creativity flowing!

Bonus Content

Want more hacks? Check out “Figma Hacks and Shortcuts You Didn’t Know About” by Muhammad Jawad. It’s a treasure trove of workflow boosters you can put to use today. ??

Keep a lookout for my next post on Medium where I cover my learnings from the books and other places.

Check out another recent post of mine - The Rebel Architect Who Bent the World to her Curves - that was published in the top sweet picks by editors from sweet publications.