when i was younger i was a boy scout and ever since then i've always over packed for trips even just for going geocaching i bring to much stuff. i guess this is my issue with being too prepared! in the world of graphic design a little forethought, planning a preparation go far to help you on your project.

i read somewhere that art is what you make or produce when the artist has no design brief to guide them. getting paid is important for your bills and puts food in your body, but sometimes being creative means producing some art. pieces that don't have a client pushing you to deadlines, making a list of minor changes etc can sometimes be a little frustrating, but when you get to be creative with no boundaries you grow as a designer and get to release some of those creative ideas that have been storing up.

i have been working on a few of these ideas myself over the past few days and excited to see some of the ideas in my head get put onto the page. this process reminded me that planning and preparation can help when the deadline is tight.

i wanted to plan for the upcoming worldwide photowalk that is coming up on saturday with a few layouts that i could quickly place photos in and get them posted online. this got me thinking about being prepared for your projects and hence this post. i'm still working on these layouts, but here is one i have ready to go. all i have to do is open the separate photo layers in photoshop and since i created them as smart objects i just have to replace the contents and i'm done.

for more info on smart objects, or how to create this type of template (that is totally useable in future jobs) check out this tutorial on creativepro.com