How to get more design work done in less time

 

I’ve been freelance designing for a few years now and there’s one thing I never seem to have enough of:

Time.

And since I know for a fact that there are only 24 hours in the day no matter where you live on the planet, I bet you’ve run into the same problem I have now and again.

Today, I’d like to touch on how to get more design work done in less time. Why? Because if you can get more done in less time it leaves more hours in the day to relax, spend with your family, and do whatever else is on your list of things to do.

So here are a few ways I have found I can maximize my design time in order to get more done in less time:

Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’ to a potential client.

One of the most important lessons I have ever learned about getting more design done in less time is to say no to clients who I know will be time-suckers.

It can be tempting (especially when you’re just starting out) to accept any client that comes your way. But as you avoid clients that will need more hand-holding than usual, you can focus on the clients that let you streamline the design as much as possible, thus saving you time for client-hunting or any other task you’ve been neglecting.

 

Outsource projects you’re not skilled at.

Outsource has become a bad word. But all I mean by this sentence is that designers should hire and work with other people who might be more skilled at certain tasks.
If, for example, you aren’t very good at logo design, but your client wants a new web site with a new logo, perhaps you can work with another designer to design the logo, take a small percentage off the top, and then design and code the web site for your client.
Don’t waste time trying to be good at something that you’re clearly not good at.

Create design automations.

Another quick way to speed up the design process is to create automations. Photoshop, for example, will let you automate certain actions. If there’s a gradient effect that you’ll be using on multiple elements throughout the design, create an action in Photoshop and then simply click to apply when you’ve got a new element that needs to match.
Other automations that streamline the design process can include learning keystroke shortcuts for design programs, starting with wireframes, and similar techniques.

Close your browser(and remove any other distractions)

The biggest cause of getting less work done is being distracted. It’s easy to get sucked into looking through blog post after blog post learning techniques, getting inspired or learning how to freelance.
In order to get as much done as possible, remove all the distractions you can. Set aside a certain amount of time each day or week for these sorts of activities and then, when it’s time to work, just work.

How do you get more done in less time?

Surely, I’ve left out some tips for getting more design done in less time. What resources or techniques do you use in order to get more done in less time? Share them with me by leaving a comment.
 

 

Make a Good First Impression as a

Freelance Designer

We freelance designers have it rough sometimes. We’re not only expected to be excellent designers, but we also are required to manage our business, find new clients, control finances, and more.

If you ever plan to make it in the world of freelance design, you have got to master your first impression. Many clients will hire a designer based on first impression and – as they say – sometimes the first impression is all you get.

So how can you make a good first impression as a freelance designer? Today, we’ll discuss two aspects of good first impressions: the first impression in person, and the first impression online.

First impressions in person

When meeting a client for the first time in person, it’s important that you be:

Friendly

No one wants to work with a grumpy designer. The design process can be stressful enough for both client and designer – don’t make it worse by being in a bad mood all the time.

Remember, when you’re meeting your client for the first time, to be friendly, personable and amiable. They’re not just looking for a monkey with a mouse, they’re looking for someone who can help them achieve their business goals.

Professional

Even though you may brag to your cubicle-dwelling buddies about working in your pajamas, never shaving, and only showering every Tuesday, these sorts of tactics can screw up your first impression with a client very quickly.

Dress and act professionally when meeting your client for the first time in person. You don’t have to wear a tuxedo or a bow-tie, but throw on a pair of slacks instead of jeans with holes in the knee.

Then act the part. Present yourself well. Speak professionally, act professionally, and treat your potential client as a fellow professional.

Organized

When you meet your potential client in person, have your work well-organized so you can avoid looking unprepared or irresponsible. Do some research about the potential client and bring all the necessary work samples, paperwork, and anything you plan to leave behind.

Rehearse your small meeting and presentation before meeting with them. Being organized means you’re prepared for the meeting – which can be one of the most impressive attributes of a potential designer.

First impressions online

Sometimes you don’t have the chance to meet your client in person before starting a project with them (or ever).

It’s also important that you’re ready for a good online first impression. And since you never know when your online first impression will come (since potential clients can access your site whenever and wherever they want to), it’s important to always be ready for them.

To make a great first impression online, any freelance designer should be:

Personable

Similar to being friendly in your in-person contact, make sure your personable online too. It’s easy to use your web site or online portfolio as a place to hide behind. Many designers think they can show their work and that’s enough to get hired.

The better approach is to be personable. Clients who feel like they can connect to the designer as a person are more likely to hire that designer. Be more personable online by including links to your social media avenues, including information about you and your work, and maybe even including a video that will introduce you and your work to any site visitors.

Current

One of the most common mistakes I see designers make is to not update their online portfolio. A client wants to see that you are up-to-date and current in your design skills.

Holding pages and incomplete portfolios are a definite no-no. Imagine the web client who visits your site hoping to find a designer who can finish a project in a significantly short amount of time.

If you can’t even update your own web site, how can they expect you to work on and complete their site in a timely manner?

Non-hypocritical

A potential client wants you to practice what you preach. If you’re a web designer who’s an advocate for validating design, but your site doesn’t validate, you’re in trouble.

GoodLuck 2 all freelancers