Keeping folders under control
Thursday’s Management Idea for Graphic Designers
Files are one of those things that can quickly get out of control.
It seems like yesterday that TB drives, heck even GB, didn’t exist. Now, our drives are getting bigger and bigger and …
Files have a way of replicating and spreading like wildfire.
Here’s how I try and keep it simple.
Essential folders I have on my computer:
- Current: I’ll store all my clients projects that I’m currently working on
- Clients: Stores all my past clients, by name (last name first)
- Promo: Stores all my business documents and backup
- Future: Projects / ideas I plan on completing or implementing sometime in the future
For your promo folder:
I’ll have folders for all my various marketing elements. Here are a few to get you started:
- Blogs: Within these I’ll have all my blogs templates (in their own folders), source documents, and backups
- Newsletters: All issues have their own folders (see below on what folders to include in each)
- Podcasts: All original recordings are found here
- Postcards: Different variations are in their own folders (see below on what folders to include in each)
- Portfolio: My best showcase pieces are in here
- Stationery: Business cards, envelopes, and letterheads
- Websites: Backups of all my sites, source documents, and images
For client or design folders:
Within each client folder, create a folder for each job to be done for the client, and name it something descriptive. Then create at a minimum these folders:
- Fonts: Fonts used in the document
- Images / Visuals: Any images, illustrations, and logos that are used in the project
- Original documents: All files sent by the client
- Source documents: Original Photoshop or Illustrator files for all graphics used
T A K E A W A Y S :
By taking the time and setting up your folders correctly, you’ll save time in the long run.
You won’t have to go looking for documents, images, and fonts because everything is stored together. And everything is kept under control
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