Top tips for designer productivity when working remotely

For many, remote work is a new reality and it may take a while to get used to.

When you think about working from the comfort of your own home it may seem like a blessing, there is no commuting wasting your time, and there is the additional flexibility — you can take the time to run errands, go to the gym at noon, or pick up kids from school.

However, this freedom is also accompanied by a responsibility. You need to make sure that you treat your remote work as real work and get as much out of yourself.

That’s why it’s important to define the right ways to make sure that you use your work time productively and that your work and daily life are well balanced and taken care of.

Separate work from life

When your workplace is also your home, it can be much more difficult to set boundaries. So you can get distracted by housework during your working hours and then spend the evening working on your computer. You will feel like you have not worked completely … but never have relaxed completely either. The key here is, when you work, do it seriously and to the maximum. And when it’s time to stop, shut down your laptop and don’t touch it again!

To organise your time between your personal life and what is professional. It is generally advisable to set up a space dedicated to working only in order to make a clear distinction with your life.

Then, define a work ritual that will separate your “life mode” from your “work mode” and help you get into the flow.

It can be by simply starting your working hours by:

• Getting dressed like you’re leaving the house
• Having a walk and get some fresh air for a few minutes.
• Making a cup of tea and writing tasks in your notebook.
• Checking newsletters
• Reading one article in your field
• Spending 15min on any creative activity of your choice (music, drawing, writing..) to put you in the mood.

Maintain calendars and ensure transparency

It’s difficult to know the availability of colleagues from a distance. That’s why it’s important to set clear times and warn others when you are going to eat or when you are taking a break.

You will gain in efficiency in concentration and you will avoid the reproaches on your lack of reactivity.

A clear to-do list will also help you manage your time and stay productive.

Engage with your team

We often think that creativity can only be born if you are with your team in a beautiful room with a whiteboard and sticky notes. It is true that the energy and the reactivity of the exchanges favor creativity, especially in brainstorming sessions, but it is still possible to practice it from a distance with organisation and the right systems.

So don’t be discouraged by not being in the office to plan workshops or brainstorming sessions. It is very important for designers to work together and exchange thoughts and ideas, and with the collaboration tools out there like Miro, Mural and others, you can explore and test remote ideations or design sprints.

It will be not only insightful for your project but also it will strengthen your team.

Integrate exercises and breaks

When you are away from an office, it can be tempting to take extreme measures to ensure that you are always available to your colleagues and customers. But even while working remotely, you need a break as much as if you were working in the office. Take the time to recharge your batteries by taking a short walk, exercising and it doesn’t have to be long. Schedule a 15-minute yoga session on your balcony or backyard after your morning meeting, or put a Calm or Headspace meditation session on your calendar during the mid-afternoon break. And of course: take the time for a real lunch!

Be creative

Some companies impose sometimes restrictive frameworks on their employees. This results in sometimes rigid operating rules. Take advantage of your freedom to find innovative solutions to your problems or test other methods of doing your work. You might be surprised with the outcome!

Avoiding distractions is one of the biggest challenges of working at a distance. Finding a schedule and a workspace helps, but it may take a little more effort. So working on your self-motivation, discipline, organisation and the ability to collaborate without meeting in person is crucial for a great remote work experience.

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