One principle for organizing illustration information.

on managing information effectively.

As an illustrator, I have to manage a lot of information.

From first contact to midway through a project I might have sent and received 50 to 100 emails. Notes from my agent, editor, designer, and author.

I would have hundreds of images of references.

I would have the text and their revisions.

Hundreds of Sketches.

Revisions of work, with notes.

Ideas to try out.

Schedules and contracts.

And that’s per project.

I have systems to manage all the information, but more important than systems are principles

Here’s the one Principle for keeping all that organized.

“Do it for the future version of you who is going to have to retrieve the information”.

1. Take notes in full sentences so you can understand them in the future

2. Collect instructions from emails

3. Put dates in your calendar

4. Organize your projects in folders

Treat yourself like someone really special that you want to take care of. Bully the current version of yourself to pamper the future version of yourself.