Overcoming Designer Burnout

Hey there, fellow creatives!
I'm Victoria, thrilled to connect with you. As the founder of Viewst—a tool designed to liberate you from the monotonous copy/paste grind during the production process—I've made it my mission to enhance your workflow and let your creativity shine.

To spread the word about Viewst, I've been hitting the conference circuit, guesting on podcasts, and penning down thoughts in a blog dedicated to graphic design production hacks, the latest tech, and industry trends.

Recently, as I sifted through some data, I stumbled upon an intriguing trend: our articles on graphic designers' burnout and job satisfaction were by far the most read and shared.

Curious to dig deeper, I reached out to a few of our regular users for a quick chat to get their take on these pressing issues. What I discovered was eye-opening.

It turns out that in the world of marketing production, certain tasks—often seen as low-value—tend to get pushed to junior designers. Sometimes, even highly experienced creative pros end up spending their valuable time assembling mockups and resizing them for various platforms. It's no wonder this repetitive, mundane work can lead to burnout.

It’s not getting any easier, is it? For several reasons, your workload is constantly evolving and expanding.

Firstly, let’s talk about the elephant in the room—new media channels. Every season, it feels like there’s a new platform or an updated format demanding your attention. And guess what? Each of these new channels likely comes with its own specific aspect ratio. So, you guessed it—more resizing of mockups. It’s like playing an endless game of whack-a-mole, except instead of moles, it’s aspect ratios popping up everywhere.

And then there are the growing conversion costs in both display and social advertising. Because of this, marketing teams are under pressure to really make their campaigns stand out. What does that mean for you? They’re requesting more creative variations for personalization and testing. Oh, and let's not forget—they also want these ads to be animated.

Creating animated ads, although rewarding, requires an extra layer of effort and creativity. Each variation needs to be tweaked, polished, and perfected. It’s a lot, and it can be overwhelming, to say the least.

Another significant factor contributing to burnout is the constant demand for multitasking in high-stakes environments. Designers often find themselves juggling multiple projects simultaneously, which can create a sense of perpetual urgency. This relentless pace, combined with the pressure to excel in every task, can quickly lead to mental and emotional exhaustion. 

Let’s dive deeper and try to define what it actually means to burn out.

Understanding graphic design burnout

I remember a time when the only thing I looked forward to upon waking up was getting back to sleep in the evening. It's a draining, exhausting state that creeps up on you slowly, gnawing away at your motivation and zest for life. These days, my key responsibilities revolve more around sales and operations, and in this role, I've started noticing that many others are feeling the strain, too. The global pandemic has left a seismic impact, causing massive layoffs and creating an environment ripe for burnout—and designers are no exception.

When you're in the thick of it, burnout can be hard to identify. It often starts with feeling physically and emotionally drained—even after a full night's sleep, you wake up tired. Tasks that once excited you start to feel like insurmountable challenges. Creativity, which is the lifeblood for any designer, dries up. Deadlines loom like dark clouds, and every minor hiccup feels like a catastrophe.

For designers, burnout presents some unique challenges. Creative work requires mental clarity and a steady stream of fresh ideas, which are brutally stunted by the cloud of constant exhaustion and stress. And with the advent of the pandemic, the stakes have been heightened. The lines between work and home have blurred, and the relentless pace of new projects and demands only adds pressure to the mix.

Massive layoffs have created an environment where the remaining team members often absorb the workload of their departed colleagues. It’s not just about working harder; it’s about working in an environment where the specter of job loss is always looming. For those still in the trenches, this adds a layer of anxiety that further fuels the burnout process.

Designers are also faced with the emotional toll of seeing their peers struggle. In creative fields, the community and collaborative process are vital. Watching that network disintegrate or seeing close colleagues face their own battles with burnout can create a ripple effect, exacerbating your own feelings of despair and isolation.

"It's really disheartening when my colleagues fail to see the value in ad design. It leaves me feeling isolated and questioning whether I'm actually doing an important job.,” remarked a junior designer who has had to deal with ad production for the second consecutive year, in hopes of being promoted to more creative roles.

The feeling of being undervalued or unappreciated can be incredibly disheartening and significantly contribute to burnout. When the effort and expertise one puts into their work go unnoticed, it can create a sense of disillusionment and demotivation. This lack of recognition from peers and supervisors not only diminishes job satisfaction but also impacts mental health over time.

I’ve seen firsthand how burnout can decimate productivity, morale, and mental health. It’s an issue that demands immediate attention and thoughtful solutions.

What are the tools and strategies you can use to break out of that stance and get yourself back on track?

Tips for preventing graphic design burnout

Prioritize Communication:

One of the most important skills to save yourself from burnout is effective communication. Clear, concise, and regular communication can preempt misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Whether you’re part of a team or collaborating with clients, establishing reasonable expectations upfront is crucial.

Set Clear Expectations for Your Team:
When you communicate what is feasible within given time constraints and resources, it empowers your team to work effectively without unnecessary pressure. Clearly articulate project goals, deadlines, and individual responsibilities. Be realistic about what can be achieved and leave room for flexibility in case adjustments are needed along the way.

Plan Accordingly:
Once expectations are set, detailed planning becomes key. Break down larger projects into manageable tasks with specific timelines. Use project management tools to assign roles and track progress. This not only ensures everyone knows their part but also helps in identifying potential bottlenecks early, allowing you to address issues before they escalate.

Saving Time Equals Saving Energy

Time saved is energy saved—energy that you can redirect towards brainstorming new ideas, refining strategies, or simply taking a much-needed break. These are some timesaving techniques.

Organize your workspace layout:

A well-organized workspace is essential for maintaining productivity and focus. Customizing your workspace to fit your specific needs can eliminate unnecessary distractions and make your work process smoother. Save your ideal workspace layout so that you can easily revert to it if it ever gets disrupted. This means if your workspace becomes cluttered or disorganized, you can quickly switch to the essentials layout and then back to your saved workspace, ensuring a seamless and continuous workflow.

Create and utilize templates:

Templates are a game-changer when it comes to saving time and resources. By creating a library of templates tailored to your most common project types, you will streamline the design process. Start by using existing layouts that have worked well in the past. Make minor adjustments such as changing colors, updating content, and swapping images to ensure each project feels fresh and original, yet is built upon a solid and familiar foundation. This not only saves time but also maintains consistency across your brand's visual communication.

Harness keyboard shortcuts:

Another powerful yet often underutilized timesaving technique is the use of keyboard shortcuts. Mastering keyboard shortcuts can significantly streamline your workflow. These shortcuts enable you to quickly execute commands without interrupting your creative flow to hunt through menus. By incorporating them into your routine, you can cut your work time by 30 to 40 percent. Over time, these saved moments accumulate, leading to more efficient and accelerated project completion.

Batch processing:

Batch processing can be a major time-saver, especially when dealing with repetitive tasks. Whether it’s resizing images, converting file formats, or applying the same filter to multiple assets, batching these tasks allows you to handle multiple items simultaneously rather than one at a time. Many design and editing tools, including Viewst, offer batch processing capabilities, which greatly enhance efficiency.

Leverage automations and presets:

Automations and presets can further minimize repetitive tasks. Using automation scripts or software features that allow you to replicate processes—like setting up guides, margins, or color profiles—can save a great deal of time. Presets for text styles, color schemes, and effects mean you can apply consistent styling across various projects with just a few clicks.

Streamline revisions:
Revisions are a natural part of the creative process, but they can sometimes become cumbersome. Streamlining this process involves setting up a clear feedback system, being organized with version control, and utilizing collaborative tools. Viewst and other collaboration platforms provide features such as comment threads and real-time updates, allowing team members or clients to give feedback directly on the design, thus reducing back-and-forth emails and ensuring faster turnaround times.

Finally, use technology wisely:

Leverage technology to enhance communication. If you invest a significant amount of your time in marketing design, finding the right tools can make a world of difference. One such tool that stands out is Viewst. Designed with the modern marketer in mind, Viewst offers a suite of features that streamline the design process, thereby reducing the stress and time investment typically associated with marketing design.

Viewst incorporates all major design patterns, so there’s no steep learning curve. It’s intuitive interface ensures that you can hit the ground running without needing to spend hours figuring out new software. This ease of use translates to more time spent on the creative aspects of your work rather than the technical ones.

Effortless resizing:

One of the standout features of Viewst is its ability to resize your mockups with a single click. Whether you’re designing for various social media platforms or different ad formats, Viewst simplifies the otherwise time-consuming task of resizing. This feature is particularly beneficial when working with tight deadlines, allowing you to deliver polished designs quickly and efficiently. 

“The AI functions seems to work really well. The auto resize for designs is the best I have seen it. While it still requires adjustment the accuracy of the resized layout is much better than any platform I have used before and I see this as the future to content automation and reducing production time!”

Henry MacDougall, Senior Digital Content Specialist

Synchronized updates:

Implementing last-minute changes can often be a stressful and laborious process, especially when dealing with multiple versions of the same design. Viewst tackles this challenge by syncing all sizes in a set. This means that any changes you make to one size are automatically applied across all other sizes, ensuring consistency and saving you precious time during crunch periods.

No-Code animations:

In today’s digital landscape, animated ads can significantly enhance engagement. However, creating animated HTML5 ads typically requires coding skills—something not all marketers possess. Viewst bridges this gap by enabling you to create stunning, animated HTML5 ads without needing to write a single line of code. This opens up a new realm of creative possibilities and allows you to deliver dynamic content effortlessly.

Streamline workflow with integration:

Another key advantage of Viewst is its ability to integrate smoothly with other tools you might already be using. By facilitating seamless data flow between various platforms, Viewst ensures that your workflow remains efficient and uninterrupted. This integrated approach helps in maintaining a consolidated workspace, reducing the need to juggle multiple applications and resulting in a more organized and less stressful work environment.

Enhance collaboration:

Collaboration is often a crucial part of marketing design. Viewst supports this by making it easy for teams to work together on projects in real time. Share designs, gather feedback, and make collaborative decisions swiftly—all shared within a single platform. Effective collaboration can significantly reduce bottlenecks and ensure that everyone is aligned towards the same goals, enhancing overall productivity.

In conclusion

Overall, fellow designers, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of self-care in our creative journeys. Your well-being is the bedrock upon which great designs are built. Remember, if you’re not feeling your best, it’s impossible to produce your best work. Prioritizing your health, both mentally and physically, ensures that you remain inspired and capable of crafting extraordinary designs.

If you’re keen to delve deeper into time-saving strategies and discover more ways to eliminate mundane routines, I invite you to join our public demo on October 8th. This session will be packed with valuable insights and practical tips aimed at enhancing your productivity and making your creative process more enjoyable. Until then, take care of yourselves and keep creating with passion and purpose.