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17 action items
Improve your personal perception at work
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Get more sleep
Everything else on this list will be harder to do if you arrive to work tired. You’ll show up with the intention to “have my best day,” then get coffee instead. So go to bed 1 hour earlier tonight. We'll try again tomorrow.
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Show up to meetings 5 minutes early
There are many benefits to this. It reduces the anxiety associated with the fear of being late. It makes you look smarter and more prepared than everyone else. It gives you 300 more seconds to prepare for the discussion. If this will be hard for you, stop booking meetings back-to-back. Always leave a 15-minute buffer window between them.... See more
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Always do what you say you’ll do
Being reliable is a skill we should all have. It trumps most skills. When you say you’ll do something, do it. Every time. If this will be hard for you, commit to fewer things. It’s better to say you’ll do 3 things and do all 3 than saying you’ll do 10 and only doing 3. Take things a step further by not only doing everything you've committed to, but doing them sooner than promised. The best way to do this is by buffering your time estimate 25%. Think it'll take 4 days? That's cool, say 5.... See more
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Make your process/work transparent
The teams I work with set up a public-to-everyone Slack channel called #lookingglass where we often (3-5 times/day) share designs that are in the works. We always add context on the problem we’re solving, who we're solving it for, why it’s important right now, our intended business goal, and what has changed since the last share. Following a consistent share format helps your co-workers build up a muscle memory on your process. Soon, they’ll be asking “what’s the business goal?” when peering over your shoulder. They’ve been subtly primed.... See more
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Take co-workers out for a walk
Everyone takes breaks during the workday. Find a co-worker who you don’t work with often. Ask them for coffee, tea, lunch, or stroll. Take the opportunity to get to know them a little more. Ask them why they joined [company]/what they're most excited about right now/what they do for fun. Also take it as an opportunity to help them understand the value you bring by asking, “what’s one thing I could help with to make your job easier?” Then do it (sooner than promised). They'll never forget it or you.... See more
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Make people around you feel smart
People love praise, no matter what they tell you. When they’ve done something good for the business, tell them! Often! Frame it around why it was important for the business. People like keeping people around them who make them feel good.
Perception vs. reality. How people perceive you is their reality. It's tricky, but very important to understand. Figure out the delta between how your co-workers perceive you and how you really are, then figure out ways to close the gap. If you have a manager, this is a great exercise to do with them. However, here are some universal steps that will help improve your perception no matter the gap.
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Calculate your freelance rate
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Charge weekly
It sets up better expectations with you and your client. You stop forcing out those 2 hours of \work\ at the end of the day. Your client doesn't feel the need to micro-manage you (imagine how they feel when you go to the bathroom. Literally $ lost). Instead, set weekly expectations that you know you can meet. Manage your time wisely and always deliver.... See more
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Research full-time market rates for your area
Services like [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/salary/), [Glassdoor](https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/index.htm), and others allow you to find such numbers. Take into account your experience level. If you're still junior, don't use a \Senior Design Director\ salary in the following steps.... See more
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Divide by 52
The resulting number is your weekly rate.
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Take the base salary, then 1.2 - 1.5x it
The salary you found in the previous step is for full-time employees, but you're not. Multiplying by 1.2 - 1.5 accounts for the things I mentioned above (no equity, no paid time-off, no health insurance).
When you freelance, you're likely not receiving equity in your client's company, getting paid time-off, or health insurance. So it's on you to account for all of these things in your rate.
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Provide feedback on poor leadership without negative repercussions
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Start with a question
The last thing you want to do is go in headstrong with a "you did this wrong" attitude just to learn there was a logical reason. Ask the leader, "why is it this way?" If their answer is lacking or non-existent, then make your case for why a change is important/beneficial to you and the business.... See more
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Use your design skills for good in the wake of recent U.S. political events
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Build tools
Good design can make it easier to take political action. Identify an action and build a tool to help more people do it. For example, some talented folks have designed tools for calling your representatives, which is an effective way to influence their position and make your voice heard. Here are a few: - [5 Calls](https://5calls.org): Spend 5 minutes, make 5 calls - [The 65](http://thesixtyfive.org): Get weekly calls to action - [Call Your Rep](https://callyourrep.co/): Find representatives’ contact info and share call scripts... See more
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Donate to advocacy organizations
Regular, reliable sources of funding help nonprofit advocacy organizations plan for sustained action. For maximum impact, make recurring monthly donations. If you’re looking for organizations that are explicitly devoted to the rights of people of color, immigrants, and women, or to environmental action, here’s a [thorough list from Jezebel](http://jezebel.com/a-list-of-pro-women-pro-immigrant-pro-earth-anti-big-1788752078).... See more
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Register to vote
The most basic act of civic duty is showing up and voting in every election—don’t get caught unregistered in 2018. [Register now](https://vote.gov)
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Work pro bono
Nonprofit organizations often need professional as well as financial support. Volunteer to help with web design and development, user engagement, or another area of expertise. - [Catchafire](https://www.catchafire.org/): Find a social-good organization that can use your skills - [Designers Guild for Justice](https://www.facebook.com/groups/designjustice): Volunteer to do design work for cause leaders - [Indivisible Creatives](https://www.weareindivisible.us/): Take a stand with other designers and creatives... See more
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Make art for causes
The January 21st [Women’s March](https://www.womensmarch.com/100) demonstrated the galvanizing effect of marching. Protest signs garnered a lot of media attention, and visual design will continue to matter. Create signs for an upcoming march and make them publicly available. Or get involved with The Amplifier Foundation, which is offering [artist grants](http://theamplifierfoundation.org/wethepeople/). A few upcoming marches that will need signs: - [Tax Day March](https://taxmarch.org): April 15th, 2017 - [People’s Climate March](https://peoplesclimate.org): April 29th, 2017 - [March for Science](http://www.scientistsmarchonwashington.com): Date coming soon... See more
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Support professional journalism
Subscribe to the publications where you get news that you trust. Paying for news online can seem archaic, but maybe that’s part of the problem. Financial support ensures that reporters can do their jobs and keep us all well-informed.
Good design is inclusive: To solve problems in ways that work for as many people as possible, we need diverse perspectives. In the face of recent U.S. political events that impinge on civil rights, we don’t have the luxury of being apolitical. Taking action starts with deciding where and how to focus our energy and talents as designers.
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