Survival Tip #1

Ok so I figure Since this is called the Art Student's Survival Guide I might want to start posting some survival tips. Ok so Tip #1:


That's Right. The same thing that your mother told you back in grade school. This is just a small thing that goes into many facets of your art career. I recently moved into my new basement office and set up a desk and general work area for my freelancing business. This allowed me to do a couple of very important things. It allowed me to have an area strictly for art and nothing else. My old desk had been my loyal partner in art second only to the old thread-ball-covered coach in my apartment living room. While the desk was good enough for the occasional project it was small and I frankly can't concentrate when I have to worry about dropping the $175 graphics tablet to its doom every time I reach for a pencil. Organization is the key to comfort.

Another important task that having an organized desk space serves is that I can now remove myself from the hustle and bustle of the chaos around the house. I can now instead of retreating to my room and hoping the door drowns out the thousands of noises vying for my attention. I now walk down the stairs to my desk and crank up the stereo (which has currently been playing the same Flyleaf CD for 3 days). Yes seclusion is a plus to any workspace but quiet seclusion is even better. This lack of chaos is a rare and valable commodity in my house. I am constanly having to look for something or ask around about some news because my family is always moving things. Now my space is my space. If I put down a drawing then I can rest assured that it is going to be there when I return. Organization is key in chaos.

Another way to get organized is to make folders. Yes those manila colored folders that every man, woman and child has seen a million times. I found that it is really very convienant to have each client in a folder. This keeps things organized and allows me to keep track of the progress of each project as I work on it. It also helps me catalogue the work I do for people. If they are a consistant client I have all our history right on file and can pull it out at a moments notice in case any questios or discrepencies occur. Very useful.

So all in all getting organized is the key to a successful workflow and the absolute beginning to any freelancer or art students skill base.