I know it makes MY thorough heart happy to have a notepad nice and complete from start to finished especially when it is full of design hours! Not to say that I have not had my share of journals in the past that were never completely filled, but I love new journals and sketch books.
I have been logging my design work hours on legal pads since 2006! At both my previous job and my current job I will jot my hours down on a legal pad and then transfer them to the computer. I filled two notepads while working for Jordan Associates. This week I turned to the last page on my fourth notepad to log my work hours. This month just so happens mark two and a half awesome years at my job. How cool is that? This all makes my meticulous self very happy! ha.
As I was thinking about my design hours that I have logged over the years it got me thinking about all of the crazy work details a graphic designer has to think about:
- design hours logged (or billable hours at some companies!)
- deadlines
- to do lists
- meeting schedule
- color settings
- file size settings
- design file organization
- folder organization
- print portfolio pieces filed neatly
- web portfolio and print portfolio digital files organized
- web portfolio, print portfolio, and logo portfolio current
- notes and sketches filed with appropriate client folders
- returning calls and emails on time
- filing emails for future reference
- overall project management
- overall time management
- specing out new projects…and more!
I truly believe creatives not only need to be more than talent, but they also need to be detail oriented. Graphic designers can be so detailed on a design they zoom in to make sure every single pixel lines up, but you also must be accurate down to the very last design hour you log. A graphic designer who is not detailed oriented will have a hard time in the professional design world.
What details do you pay attention to at your job? Now I am off to log some more overtime…
