Evolution of Intelligent Design: Organize the Way You Work

A great way to start the year off as a designer is to get organized in the way you work. A great way to to get started is to work with a consistent folder structure on your computer.

There are at least three reasons this is good:

You can start working faster.
It's easier to understand and work on older files
If someone ever needs to work on your files, they can pick up where you leave off with little effort or understanding.

Here's the type of folder and naming structure I recommend:

Project#_Project_Name (Parent folder)

00_documentation (use this folder for any files and images from the client, research, creative briefs, and supporting documents)
01_final_art (use this folder for all the final deliverables)
02_working_files_ & _versions (use this folder as the main holder of work and associated files to create the work)
03_versions (use this folder for different iterations of the deliverables)

The order of the files are controlled by the initial numbers and letters in the name. And this is the order that works well for me. However, you may prefer a different folder order. Just change the leading numbers in the naming to create the order that best fits the way you work.

You can just create this folder structure and save as a ZIP file. So, whenever you need to start a new project, just double-click the ZIP file to create the structured folders — ready to go. You just rename the parent folder with the project number and name. On a Mac the ZIP file stays intact. So, you can use it multiple times to get started. Saves a ton of time, and keeps you organized.

Another thing to remember is to name your design iterations systematically. When you save versions of a file tack on "_v1" for the first version of a design. And "_v2" for the second version and so forth. The structure is something like this: name_of_file_v#.(extension)

As a bonus, I also personally have folder conventions for particular types of projects like web design, video, and social media images. Each type of project requires slightly different folder structures and included file templates, and text files of specifications (for remembering certain specs, procedures, and where to find certain items).

Here are some other example folder structures. (You can use these as a jumping off point to create structures that makes sense to you):

Web design

Project#_Project_Name (Parent folder)

00_documentation (use this folder for any files and images from the client, research, creative briefs, and supporting documents)
01_final_art (use this folder for all the final deliverables)

css (CSS folder)
img(folder for images)
index.html (this file can be a basic starter HTML template)
js (javascript folder)

02_working_files_ & _versions (use this folder as the main holder of work and associated files to create the work)

00 working art (Folder holds Photoshop and Illustrator files, any other supporting files used to create the art and design)
css (CSS folder)
img (folder for images)
index.html (this file can be a basic starter HTML template)
js (JavaScript folder)

03_versions (use this folder for different iterations of the deliverables)

Video

Project#_Project_Name (Parent folder)

00_documentation (use this folder for any files and images from the client, research, creative briefs, and supporting documents)
01_final_art (use this folder for all the final deliverables)
02_working_files_ & _versions (use this folder as the main holder of work and associated files to create the work)

00_Premiere (folder for your Adobe Premiere files)
01_After_Effects (folder for your After Effects files)
02_footage (folder for raw footage and B-roll)
03_flat_images (folder for any images files)
04_music (folder for soundtracks and music)
05_audio (folder for any other audio sound and recordings)

03_versions (use this folder for different iterations of the deliverables)

Social media

Project#_Project_Name (Parent folder)

00_documentation (use this folder for any files and images from the client, research, creative briefs, and supporting documents)
01_final_art (use this folder for all the final deliverables)
02_working_files_ & _versions (use this folder as the main holder of work and associated files to create the work)