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When you own a design business, you have to be efficient in order to successfully complete your projects on time. Of course, you don’t want to cut corners on your actual designs, but there are ways to save time on other aspects of running a business. If you’re interested in improving your workflow by adjusting the way you deal with everything from client communication to organization, here are some tips for you. 1. Improve Communication with ClientsYou and your clients need to be on the same page when it comes to project details. Instead of emailing back and forth, you should schedule a Google Hangouts session and sketch out the client’s ideas on Google Jamboard as he or she explains them. Let your client know you’re happy to set up a Jam and a Hangouts session any time, so you can better understand details of the project. Google Jamboard is perfect for developing a creative brief because you can use it for mood boarding or general brainstorming. For ease of creation, Jamboard allows you to add pictures to the board directly from your phone or the embedded Google Images feature, giving you the freedom to seek the most appropriate materials for lively creation during brainstorming sessions. You can even draw on the digital whiteboard, or allow your clients to sketch out their thoughts as well as jot down notes right on the board. Doing all this upfront can reduce the number of revision requests you get while improving workflow. 2. Keep Everything on the CloudKeeping your work on the cloud will reduce the odds of you losing it all if your computer ever crashes. It also makes it easier to switch between devices in your office, since you won’t have to constantly email yourself the design if you go from your computer to a tablet to work on it. Storing your work on the cloud is easy with tools like Google Drive, and this way, you can easily transfer it to larger digital display tools like Google Jamboard when you meet with clients to show the latest progress of their designs. Also, Google Jamboard can save everything automatically on the cloud, allowing designers to pick up and start the session right away. 3. Keep All Your Works OrganizedWhen you have a lot of clients, it’s easy to become disorganized with your files. But it’s critical that you keep everything neat and easy to find. Start with naming your files clear enough so that you would have no problem locating them in the future. The title of each file should include the name of the client, the name of the project, and what it is. And make sure you organize your files once you name them. Ideally, each client should have a designated folder on your computer, and that folder should be further divided by projects. This way, you won’t waste time digging through numerous files when you urgently need to find your past works. 4. Let Your Workspace Inspire YouMost designers have an eye for aesthetic beauty, so make sure your work environment is nice to look at. Surrounding yourself with eye-catching décor--such as artworks on the walls and fresh flowers on your shelves--will provide some inspiration throughout the day. And be sure to keep your desk organized. Just keep the essentials on your desk, and put away any tools you don’t need on a daily basis. Fortunately, designers these days have their pick of cool tools that are not only functional, but also aesthetically pretty. Google Jamboard is just one of them, since it’s sleek enough to be placed against the wall of any designer’s office or conference room when not in use. 5. Don’t Be Afraid to Collaborate with Other DesignersSometimes you just don’t have the time to handle all the projects on your own. That’s why designers should have a few design experts that they can rely on for taking over some projects when necessary, or at least help to brainstorm. For example, if you’re designing a website and can’t seem to get one of the icons right, consider contacting a colleague who happens to be a whiz at creating icons. You can easily collaborate with each other through Google Jamboard. Just set up an in-person meeting or a Google Hangouts call, and use your digital whiteboard to show your colleague what you’re working on. Then let him or her sketch out some icon ideas on the board so you can complete your project on time with a little help from other designers.
If you’re looking for ways to improve your workflow as a designer, getting a Google Jamboard in your office should be among your first steps. This digital whiteboard makes communication and collaboration easier than ever. If you’re interested in learning more about it, please contact us today! Comments are closed.
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