Balancing creativity and productivity: A guide for creative people
Imagine you’re a squirrel, but not just any squirrel.
You’re the Michelangelo of squirrels, and you’re tasked with creating the most magnificent acorn stash the forest has ever seen.
But here’s the catch: winter is coming fast, and you can’t spend all day perfecting each acorn’s placement.
And at the same time, you can’t just toss them in a pile willy-nilly either, right?
Sound familiar, fellow creatives?
Sometimes, it feels like we’re all that artistic squirrel, racing against time.
Our acorns are our design projects, and our winter is the relentless deadline monster.
Now, I’m not saying Mona Lisa was painted in a day… far from it!
Leonardo da Vinci spent years perfecting that enigmatic smile.
But let’s face it, we’re not living in the Renaissance… we’re living in 2024, the age of instant everything.
As a designer, I feel this crunch every single day.
The pressure to create is constant, relentless, and sometimes overwhelming.
Staying productive and consistently creating innovative designs every day is no joke.
And as creatives working on design projects in 2024, we know that we don’t have much time to waste.
It’s like being asked to whip up a gourmet meal in a microwave.
But here’s the kicker: We do it.
Somehow, we manage.
We have to.
It’s our job, our passion, and our livelihood.
Take me, for example.
I run an on-demand design service, which means I’m juggling multiple acorns – well, projects – all the time.
Some days, it feels like I’m in a circus act, spinning plates while riding a unicycle.
On fire. Blindfolded.
Yet, here I am. Still designing, still creating, still loving what I do.
How do I do it? Well, that’s what this post is all about.
I’ll share my secret sauce, my “time management for creatives” tricks.
These are the methods that keep me sane and productive in this crazy world.
These aren’t just theories, though… they’re battle-tested strategies.
Forged in the fires of tight deadlines and demanding clients.
So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a budding artist, whether you’re designing logos or landscaping gardens, this guide is for you.
Because at the end of the day, we’re all that creative squirrel, trying to build something beautiful, something lasting, all while the clock ticks away.
Ready to turn your acorn pile into a masterpiece? Let’s dive in.
Breaking down your creative process
As creatives, the thing that actually gets us stuck is staring at a blank page and starting to create anything in the first place.
There is something so daunting about looking at a blank canvas.
It may seem like there are too many options yet there is not enough inspiration to create anything either.
You can avoid this by adding structure to your creative process.
Have a set starting point so you don’t have to deal with an endless abyss of ideas from the start.
Here are some ways that help me organize and break down my creative process:
Start your workflow with a goal
Every project begins with a clear goal. Knowing what you want to achieve helps in setting a direction.
Be clear and specific about your goal.
For example, if you want to create a social media campaign for a brand, you should know the following to create your goal:
- What you want your brand to achieve from this campaign
- What you want your audience to do when they interact with this campaign
- When you need this campaign finished
From this goal, it’s easier to see what assets you might need, what social media posts you need to create, and when you need to have them ready for uploading.
Break down your creative work into smaller tasks
Large projects can be overwhelming, and that goal can seem so far away right now.
This is why I break the goal down into smaller, manageable tasks.
You need to have a prepared set of questions that help you break down the big goal.
As an example, I like to ask myself the following questions for every project:
- What assets do we need to create this project?
- What assets do we already have?
- What steps should we take to put together these assets and which ones should come first?
- How long will it take to realistically gather all these assets and create the project?
- Are there any possible drawbacks that can affect this predicted timeline?
This makes the process less daunting and allows for regular progress checks.
For instance, if I’m working on a complete brand refresh, I’ll divide the work into stages: logo redesign, color scheme updates, typography selection, and so on.
Organize your tasks by priority
Not all tasks are created equal.
Some need immediate attention, while others can wait.
I use a simple priority system to tackle urgent tasks first.
Easy-to-make tasks that the clients want as soon as possible usually go to the top of my priority list.
You can get a bunch of these tasks done first so you can tackle the bigger tasks with fewer distractions later on.
It also lets your clients know that you are working on their tasks and trying to provide for their needs as soon as possible.
Another task that gets priority is any task that can affect the rest of the project.
A great example is the brand guidelines.
If a brand doesn’t have a brand guide yet, we can’t work on its other assets, such as its web design, social media, and print collateral.
In this case, the brand guide would take first priority.
Structuring your day for creative productivity
Do you find that the way you start your day can set the tone for the rest of it?
Personally, if I start my day slacking off, I won’t be in the mood to work for the rest of the day.
I might manage to finish up the tasks I need to do (because I need to) but it will be a stressful journey to get there.
It’s like trying to go against the flow that I set at the start of the day.
My body already felt like it would laze around and not work in the beginning so it’s hard to pick myself back up and get motivation in the middle of the day when I know I should’ve finished a bunch of tasks already.
How you structure your day can significantly impact your productivity and creativity.
Here are some strategies that work for me:
Stay productive through time-blocking
For me, the day usually begins before it even starts.
I like having a set schedule for the week with the important tasks time-blocked.
This means I give myself a specific time block for each task that I want to get done.
It helps me know what I need to do before the day even starts and whether or not I have enough time to finish everything.
You can do this the day before or the week before so you can get a structured schedule for the week ahead.
Start by listing down the smaller tasks you need to get done by the day or the week.
Have an estimate of how long these tasks would take you and set schedules for them throughout the week or day.
I allocate blocks for focused work, meetings, and even breaks.
This method helps me concentrate on one task at a time, reducing distractions.
I know that as long as I stay on schedule, I will have enough time in my day to finish all the tasks I need to do.
Time-blocking also lets you see which tasks are taking more time than they should.
For example, you should not be spending an entire day doing your design work when you’re a CEO.
This is your sign to start outsourcing this work or hiring someone to take care of it for you so you can free up your schedule.
Boost focus and avoid distractions with the Pomodoro Technique
I know everyone recommends this and you might be tired of hearing this already, but it really does work.
This technique involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break.
After four cycles, take a longer break.
It’s a great way to maintain focus while also giving your brain a chance to rest.
Instead of being anxious about the things that are trying to distract you, you can tell yourself that you can check out these distractions later during your break.
You just have to finish this short work sprint.
The length of the work hours and break time doesn’t even have to be specific to 25 minutes of work and 5 minutes for a break.
It can be longer or shorter depending on how long it usually takes you to finish a task so you don’t have to break your focus just to take a break you don’t want yet.
Flexible scheduling for creative professionals
While having a schedule is important, flexibility is key for creative minds.
Sometimes inspiration strikes at odd hours.
Allow yourself the freedom to shift your schedule when needed.
Building productive habits with time management
Yes, all of this structuring your day and breaking down your goals sure requires a lot of brain power.
This is especially true for creatives, who often get overwhelmed with admin tasks and time management.
Luckily, there are a bunch of tools you can use to help you manage your time.
Project management software
Tools like Trello or Asana help keep track of tasks and deadlines, especially if you are working with a team.
They allow you to organize projects into boards or lists, making it easy to see what needs to be done and when.
You get to keep track of your progress and see where your teammates are on their own tasks.
At Deer Designer, we like to use Trello and Notion to keep track of the progress of tasks and their respective deadlines.
Keeping track with time-tracking apps
You might be wondering why you would need a time tracker as a creative.
After all, each project has different requirements and may have a different timeline.
However, keeping track of how long it takes you to finish your goals helps you set an estimate for how long it will take you to do the same work next time.
You can also see if you are charging enough for how much time it takes you to finish each project and whether you should hire someone else to help you get the tasks done faster.
Apps like Toggl or Clockify help track how much time you spend on different tasks.
This can be eye-opening and help identify areas where you might be wasting time.
We use Clockify to monitor the time spent on various projects and whether we are working within the allocated hours for this project.
Digital calendars
To be honest, I will be so lost without my digital calendar.
Using a digital calendar like Google Calendar helps in scheduling tasks, meetings, and deadlines.
It’s also useful for setting reminders for recurring tasks.
It makes sure that nothing slips through the cracks (as it often does).
Maintaining creativity while under pressure
Creativity flourishes when there’s room to breathe, but deadlines are an inevitable part of any project.
Here are ways I stay inspired even when the clock is ticking:
Taking regular breaks
The mind can feel overwhelmed when we’re stressed and working nonstop.
While you might think doing more tasks and overloading yourself is great for productivity, it only hinders your creativity and can even lead to burnout.
Breaks are essential for maintaining creativity.
Stepping away from work allows your mind to recharge.
I make it a point to take short walks or do non-work-related activities during breaks.
Some of our team members like to work out or go for a jog as well.
This helps us return to work with a fresh perspective.
Find your spark with a change of environment
A change of scenery can do wonders for your creativity.
If you’re feeling stuck, try working from a different location.
Consider going to a coffee shop or a park.
I often find that new surroundings spark new ideas.
Take your time to appreciate the sounds, the smells, and the peaceful view.
It helps put things back in perspective.
It’s a reminder that there is a world beyond your work and you are an active part of it.
Stay inspired by other creatives
Nothing is more inspiring than seeing the creative work done by others.
It always gets me thinking, “Damn, that is good. I wish I thought of that” or “That is an interesting way to look at things.”
Keep your creative juices flowing by exposing yourself to different forms of art.
Follow other designers, visit galleries, read design blogs, and immerse yourself in creative communities.
I make it a habit to spend some time each week looking at design trends and other artists’ work for inspiration.
Creative expression through personal projects
When we’re constantly working for clients, we might feel detached from our work.
Yes, we made this but it is not for us. It is for the client.
You might start to feel like you are not bringing out your best creative potential.
It helps to set aside specific time slots for personal projects.
A lot of our team members create their personal art pieces.
This is a great time not only to express yourself but also to practice new skills you might not risk if you are working on a client’s project.
I reserve weekends or evenings for my personal design experiments and projects so they don’t interfere with client work.
Boosting creative thinking while staying productive
Managing time effectively as a creative professional is about balancing productivity with creativity.
By setting clear goals, structuring your day, using the right tools, and staying inspired, you can achieve a harmonious workflow that allows your creativity to flourish.
Remember, it’s not just about getting things done; it’s about creating work that you’re proud of.
With the right approach, you can manage your time effectively and still produce exceptional designs that make a lasting impact.
Do you need more help with staying creative and managing your time?
Here are some guides that might help:
➡️Why creativity and flexibility are essential in design
➡️Better work-life balance: how to balance work with your personal life
➡️The CEO’s guide to time management: How do CEOs manage their time for best productivity?
Do you need to outsource your design work and free up your time to stay creative?
We make it easy at Deer Designer!
Just send us a request and our professional designers will handle the work.
