7 Habits of Highly Efficient Designers: Create More Designs in Less Time

How Can You Produce the Best Results in the Shortest Amount of Time?

Every commercial designer strives for efficiency—producing top-notch results without wasting precious time. But what are the secrets to mastering this balancing act? Three senior designers share their top time-saving strategies to help you work smarter and meet those tight deadlines.

1. Have a Rough Plan Before You Start

“Try to limit the number of elements you draw or paint,” Kat suggests. “Creating a rough plan for your design helps you know exactly what’s needed and saves time by avoiding unnecessary work.”

2. Scan Your Drawings or Paintings at Different Stages

Maximize your output by scanning your work at various stages. Kat notes, “Scan it as an outline and then again after rendering to extract multiple usable elements.”

3. Manipulate Your Elements in Photoshop

“Manipulate your elements in Photoshop to create maximum visual variety,” Kat continues. “Experiment with filters, brushes, inverting, and warping. There are countless ways to make an element look unique!” For example, try applying a Gaussian blur or using the liquify tool to give your design a distinct look from the same base element. 10 Stunning Designs Without Weeks in Photoshop shows you every trick in the book (at least, Longina Phillips Design's book).

4. Draw Flower Motifs Separately (Leaves, Hero Flowers, and Small Decorative Elements)

If you draw individual leaves, a standout or hero flower, and small decorative elements, you’ll gain more flexibility. “It helps you move them around in Photoshop and create a variety of arrangements,” Jo shares.

5. Draw Half of Your Ethnic Motifs

For ethnic and tribal prints, only draw half of your motifs. “Remember, you can always flip and mirror layers in Photoshop,” Jo advises. This technique allows for perfect symmetry and saves significant time.

6. Get All Job Information Upfront

For commissioned work, make sure you receive a fully completed brief before starting. Send a list of standard questions such as, “Do you need it in repeat? What scale should be used?” to ensure clarity from the beginning. This will minimize back-and-forth communication and prevent potential redesigns. If you'd like to learn more about dealing with clients (and importantly, finding them in the first place!) we suggest our Comprehensive Business Builder, which will help get you up and running as a functioning freelancer or studio owner, answering all the most common customer-related questions.

7. Ask for Photo References

Understanding the client’s inspiration is crucial. “If you can obtain an image or Pantone references, it will save you from potentially needing to recolor the finished work,” Becky says. The more information you have upfront, the smoother your workflow will be.

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