This post is a behind the scenes look at how I use a clear design process to get an incredible amount of creative work done in a single day. This is not about working faster. It is about working with intention so nothing gets wasted or half finished.
I am using the Design Process Model from my book Design Profit & Prosper, which gives structure to my creative days and allows me to move from idea to finished output without feeling scattered.
Watch the entire video here.
How One Good Process Changes Everything
When you have a strong process, you do not have to spread work across endless days. In this design day, everything was completed in one focused block of time. Because I am running the University of Arts & Design, Design Suite, and my other programs during the day, I use Saturday as my main design day.
I believe in batching everything. I designed the projects. I cut everything out. I assembled everything. I filmed creative videos while I was already in making mode. I uploaded the content and wrote the descriptions. By the end of the day, the work for the week was finished.
That kind of completion only happens when the process is clear before you start.
Batching Design, Making, and Content
Batching is the reason this one day design process works. Instead of switching between tasks all day, I grouped similar work together.
All cutting happened at once. All making happened at once. All filming happened at once. All uploading and writing happened at once.
Because I stayed in the same type of work for longer stretches, everything moved faster and felt lighter.
Designing Ahead for Future Weeks
One of the biggest wins of the day was designing beyond just this week. I created additional dimensional items that will be used over several upcoming weeks.
That means future content is already planned and partially complete. I am not starting from zero every time I sit down to work. This is how consistency becomes sustainable instead of exhausting.
Fitting in Extra Creative Work
I even managed to fit in some font design during the day.
Font design takes a long time and requires deep focus, so most days I can only fit in one or two major creative tasks. Because everything else was structured and batched, I had enough mental space to make progress on type work as well.
That is the power of a solid one day design process.
Why This Matters for Creatives
Most creatives are not short on ideas. They are short on process. When you know what comes first and what comes next, your creative work stops feeling overwhelming.
This is what I teach through my work and why process matters just as much as talent.
If you enjoy seeing how designers actually work through a full creative day and how systems support creativity instead of killing it, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more behind the scenes design content.
You can find my design work and resources at www.carinagardner.com.
If you love design and want to learn how to think and work like a designer, explore degrees and certificates through the University of Arts & Design at www.uad.education.
One good process can change not just a day, but the way you create entirely.
