How I Structure My Work Week as a Creative Designer

Working with a designer can sometimes feel mysterious behind the scenes. How often will you hear from me? What does progress look like week to week? What happens if you send feedback early, or late?

This post gives you a look at what the process feels like from my side, how I organize my weeks, and how I nurture my creativity through each stage of your project.

And here is why I am sharing it. If we are working together on a brand or website project, we will be connected for several weeks or even a few months. I want you to feel grounded, informed, and confident in how the process flows from start to finish.

What to expect in terms of communication

I communicate with intention. I check messages during my working hours, respond within a day or two, and always keep you updated about what stage your project is in. You will never have to wonder where things stand.

I do not keep work email on my phone, which helps me stay focused during work hours and fully recharge outside of them. I also take all standard holidays off and give myself spacious vacation days, so you will notice my out of office here and there. Those pauses are a big part of how I return to your project with clarity and fresh energy.

I have learned, as an introvert, that I do my best work with a mix of quiet creative days and connection days. Generally three days a week are set aside for deep project work. I rarely schedule meetings on these days, although you may still hear from me. The other two days are reserved for client calls, meetings, networking events, and check ins. This balance took time to perfect, and I love it because it allows me to show up fully for you, your project, and my own creative energy.

Why feedback is always due one week after a proof

Unlike some designers who request feedback within a day or two, I always give you a full week to sit with a proof of your design. Good design deserves thoughtful reflection. You might want time to show it to your team, sleep on it, or return to it with fresh eyes.

Some clients send feedback right away. Some send within a few days. Some use the full seven days. All of those rhythms are normal.

Early feedback does not always mean I will begin your next phase immediately (although sometimes I will). If I anticipate receiving your comments on Wednesday but you send them Monday morning, I may already have scheduled deep work sessions or client tasks for Monday and Tuesday. In that case, I will pick things up later in the week when I reach the next natural opening in my schedule, so you still receive thoughtful, un-rushed work.

The goal is steady progress. Not rushed progress.

What happens if timelines shift

Sometimes you might be late providing your content or feedback. I understand that. We are human, and things come up (don’t I know it). I will always do my best to work with you as long as you communicate with me. A quick note goes a long way and gives me space to thoughtfully shift my schedule around when I can.

When feedback or content arrives late, your project shifts within my schedule. I prioritize the projects that stayed on track first, then return to yours when I reach the next open creative window. This does not push your project off the map. It simply reorders the flow so everything stays fair and balanced for every client.

The only time timing becomes an issue is if communication stops entirely. If I do not hear from you for an extended period of time, I pause your project, and a project restart fee applies once you are ready to move forward again. This protects your timeline, my workload, and the pacing of the clients around you.

On the other hand, if I am ever running behind on something, it is usually only by a day or two. I will always give you a heads up if something will arrive later than expected. Clear communication goes both ways, and it keeps the entire process smooth and supportive.

How I plan my work weeks with your project in mind

When I take on a project, I already know what week we are starting and have a general idea of which weeks we will be moving through each stage. At the end of every week, I plan the week ahead. I decide what needs attention first, what can come next, and what to focus on at the end of the week.

This planning gives me the structure I need, but it also gives me flexibility. Because three days are reserved for deep project work, I can shift tasks around based on when your feedback arrives and when my creativity is at its strongest. If I am anticipating your feedback on Wednesday but it arrives Monday, I may not touch it until Thursday or Friday. That is not a delay. It simply means I am honoring the rhythm that allows me to do my best work.

Part of this rhythm comes from the way I structure my client load. I work with only a handful of clients at a time so each project gets the focus it needs. Throughout the week, I may be onboarding someone new, wrapping up a project with another client, doing a bit of add on work for a past client, and spending deep creative time on someone else’s brand or website. This mix is intentional, and it helps me support every project with care while keeping the overall process steady and thoughtful.

You may be thinking, why not work with only one client at a time?

It might seem ideal, but it would push your project to move much faster than it should, leaving little time for reflection, revisions, or creative breathing room. Working with a small handful of clients at different stages gives your project room to unfold thoughtfully. It also allows me to continue supporting past clients with small updates or add ons without interrupting anyone’s timeline.

Creativity as a muscle

Creativity is a lot like training for a race. You cannot run a marathon or even a 5K race every single day and feel your best. There are long runs, short runs, rest days, and days where your legs feel heavier.

Design works the same way. Some days my brain is all in and the creativity flows easily, and those are my favorite days to work. Other days it needs a little rest or something lighter.

On days when I am not feeling creatively energized, I focus on admin work. These are the more autopilot tasks like organizing files, updating project timelines, sending check-ins, managing inbox items, or prepping assets for future stages. This ensures your project still moves forward, even if that particular day is not a design day.

And when the creative spark is strong, I lean into it. If I planned to start your brand design on Tuesday but feel the surge of inspiration on Monday instead, I give myself permission to shift. This rhythm honors my energy and ensures your project receives my best ideas, not forced ones.

Why some steps take longer than others

Even when two clients have the same number of deliverables, the creative process does not always move at the same pace. Some brand designs arrive with ease. Some take longer to explore, shape, and refine. Just like running, no two runs feel the same. Some days you glide. Some days require more intention.

Your project always receives the time and attention it needs to become its strongest version.

One last thing

My goal is to create a process that feels thoughtful, steady, and supportive. I want you to feel informed about how your project moves week to week, and how my creative rhythm ensures you receive my best work.

When you understand how my work weeks are structured, it becomes easier to trust the timing, the flow, and the final outcome.

I wrote this blog for my clients so they know what to expect, but if you’re not a client and this rhythm feels supportive to you too, I’d love to chat. You can book a discovery call here.