How do you juggle tasks as a busy agency graphic designer?

As a busy agency graphic designer, you have to juggle multiple tasks, deadlines, clients, and feedback. How do you manage your time, prioritize your work, communicate effectively, and deliver quality results? In this article, we'll share some tips and tricks to help you cope with the challenges and demands of agency graphic design.

1 Plan ahead

One of the most important skills for a busy agency graphic designer is planning ahead. You need to have a clear overview of your current and upcoming projects, their scope, goals, and deadlines. You also need to allocate your time and resources accordingly, and anticipate any potential issues or changes. Planning ahead can help you avoid stress, confusion, and missed deadlines. You can use tools like calendars, spreadsheets, or project management software to organize your tasks and track your progress.

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Pallavi Fernandez

Design Strategist I Environmental Signage & wayfinding I Design Thinking & Innovation practioner (DTI 5.0/ IIT-CEP)
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We find it helpful, working on softwares using project tracker, linked to our MS teams. The tools available via the MS teams task manager and calender tools linked to your mail and that of your teams helps us stay abreast with the to do list which is constantly updated.

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2 Prioritize your work

Another key skill for a busy agency graphic designer is prioritizing your work. You need to know which tasks are urgent, important, or both, and which ones can wait or be delegated. You also need to balance your workload and avoid taking on more than you can handle. Prioritizing your work can help you focus on the most valuable and impactful tasks, and deliver them on time and with quality. You can use methods like the Eisenhower matrix, the ABCDE method, or the MoSCoW technique to prioritize your work.

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3 Communicate effectively

A third essential skill for a busy agency graphic designer is communicating effectively. You need to communicate clearly and regularly with your clients, managers, and team members. You also need to listen actively, ask questions, give and receive feedback, and resolve conflicts. Communicating effectively can help you understand the expectations and requirements of your projects, align your vision and goals, and build trust and rapport. You can use tools like email, chat, phone, or video conferencing to communicate effectively.

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Sam Maiyaki

I'm the Brand strategist for emerging and established brands who want to grow, nurture and convert their audience.
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I have had scenarios where a task scheduled to reach completion in 1 hour lingered for over six just because of communication. Especially when you work remotely, you need to pay close attention to your mode of communication and frequency and also master your client's/customers' communication patterns. I had a recent experience where the client outlined their needed layout and gave all information possible. However, the final design I came up with differed from what they had in mind. So, the back and forth started, making a simple task linger over three hours. My deductions from that experience are that I needed to understand the client's "communication language" and not just their language.

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4 Deliver quality results

A fourth crucial skill for a busy agency graphic designer is delivering quality results. You need to produce creative and professional designs that meet the needs and preferences of your clients, and that follow the best practices and standards of graphic design. You also need to review and refine your work, and ensure that it is error-free, consistent, and compatible. Delivering quality results can help you satisfy your clients, showcase your skills, and build your reputation. You can use tools like checklists, style guides, or feedback tools to deliver quality results.

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5 Learn and improve

A fifth important skill for a busy agency graphic designer is learning and improving. You need to keep up with the latest trends, tools, and techniques in graphic design, and learn new skills and knowledge. You also need to evaluate your performance, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and seek feedback and advice. Learning and improving can help you grow as a graphic designer, enhance your creativity and productivity, and overcome challenges and difficulties. You can use resources like books, blogs, podcasts, or courses to learn and improve.

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6 Balance your life

A sixth vital skill for a busy agency graphic designer is balancing your life. You need to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health, and avoid burnout and fatigue. You also need to make time for your hobbies, interests, and social life, and enjoy your work and life. Balancing your life can help you maintain your well-being, happiness, and motivation, and cope with stress and pressure. You can use strategies like setting boundaries, managing your energy, or practicing mindfulness to balance your life.

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Bryce Molenkamp

Director + Brand Builder | Expert Visual Communicator | Japan-Life Veteran | Dagashi Connoisseur
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There are times when thee workload will get busy and you find yourself with 5-6 projects. During times like these you can truly feel the pressure. It's a good idea to maintain an open line of communication with your AD, ACD, and CD. Engaging in brief discussions about how you're doing can prove beneficial for the entire team. Sharing insights into your how you're doing genuinely matters. This information guides their decisions in assigning designers to various projects and offers them a comprehensive understanding of the agency's operational rhythm. Your input contributes to fostering a cohesive agency environment.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you juggle tasks as a busy agency graphic designer?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Plan ahead

2 Prioritize your work

3 Communicate effectively

4 Deliver quality results

5 Learn and improve

6 Balance your life

7 Here’s what else to consider

Graphics

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How do you juggle tasks as a busy agency graphic designer?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Plan ahead

2 Prioritize your work

3 Communicate effectively

4 Deliver quality results

5 Learn and improve

6 Balance your life

7 Here’s what else to consider

Graphics

Rate this article

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