Designers are like visionaries who bring ideas to life. In the fashion, interior design, and advertising industries, they create visuals that captivate audiences and convey powerful messages.
On the other hand, in product design and engineering, designers are instrumental in conceptualizing innovative solutions that improve functionality and user experience.
Across these domains and beyond, they combine imagination and implementation.
So, what does an average day for dedicated designers look like?
In this article, we’ll walk you through an insider’s perspective on what it’s like to be a designer. Get ready for a glimpse into the exciting world of design!
Table of Contents
Morning
While each week and day can be different, I usually wake up at around 7 am. I usually start my day with a clear mind and a positive attitude to help me stay focused.
As I stretch and greet the morning sun radiating through my window, I take a moment to set my intentions for the day ahead.
Whether it’s tackling a challenging project or finding inspiration in unexpected places, I know that approaching each day with a sense of purpose can help set the stage for success.
With a fresh cup of coffee in hand, I start what I like to call my “inspiration hour.” This time allows me to kickstart my creativity by immersing myself in various sources of inspiration.
I typically browse through design blogs, flip through art books, or take a short stroll through the neighborhood to find inspiration in the most unexpected places.
It’s during these moments of quiet reflection that I often stumble upon the seeds of ideas that will blossom into fully-fledged designs later in the day.
Work
After I’m finished with my morning ritual, it’s time to start my work. I usually start at 9 am, but this can vary.
Before I begin, I usually take a moment to plan and prioritize my tasks for the day.
If I start with a solid plan in place, I can stay focused and on track throughout the day, whether it’s bringing a client’s vision to life or breaking down a complex design problem into manageable chunks of work.
There are several tools I use on a daily basis, some of which include Adobe Creative Suite or other digital prototyping tools. I use them to sketch out rough concepts or adjust complex details.
Of course, as the day progresses, it’s inevitable to encounter a myriad of challenges. These can include a stubborn creative block, constructive criticism from a client, or the looming specter of a tight deadline.
However, I’ve learned to embrace these challenges and see them as opportunities. Instead of becoming discouraged, I try to approach every obstacle with a sense of determination and resilience.
Meetings
Team meetings are an important part of my job because this is when creativity collides. These gatherings are the foundation of our design process. It’s when my colleagues and I share ideas, gather feedback, and brainstorm solutions to problems.
I believe that each team member brings a unique perspective to the table, which enriches our discussions and pushes us to explore new possibilities.
As for successful client relationships, I try to cultivate open and transparent lines of communication throughout every project.
These meetings matter because maybe the client wants to hear updates on our progress, has feedback on design concepts, or wants to discuss project milestones.
Afternoon
As the day begins to wind down, I turn my focus to the important task of reviewing and refining my tasks.
Drawing upon the feedback gathered throughout the day (and my own standards of excellence), I go over every detail and make sure that each element is polished to perfection.
Sometimes this means adjusting the layout of a webpage for optimal usability, fine-tuning the color palette of a logo, or tweaking the typography of a marketing brochure for maximum readability. In any case, no detail is too small to escape my scrutiny!
The final step is quality assurance. This is when I want to ensure that our deliverables meet rigorous technical specifications and design standards.
I use a combination of manual inspection and careful testing protocols to check every aspect, from the visual appearance to the functional performance.
This part includes conducting cross-browser compatibility tests on a website, proofreading a print advertisement for literal errors, or usability testing on a mobile app. My main goal is not only to meet but exceed the expectations of our clients and end users.
Evening
Basically, that’s the average designer’s working day. At the bottom of it all lies a deep connection between creativity and communication, collaboration, and craftsmanship.
Our success depends on our ability to connect with others, to empathize with their needs, and desires, and to translate those into tangible solutions.
As the sun sets on another day, I’m happy that I have the opportunity to pursue my passion and make a meaningful impact through my work.
From concept to completion, every part of the journey shows how design has the incredible ability to transform ideas into reality.