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SIDE NOTE
Real WORK
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Behind-the-scenes of real work with real clients
Personal
Life behind the design—the real, raw, human side
Business of Design
Running a freelance studio with clarity + boundaries
Tools
Showcasing how your planners + systems support creatives
Inspiration
A reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be complicated, loud, or overwhelming to be powerful.
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Pull up a chair—here’s the story behind it all
— a designer, just like you.
Design life is a wild ride. Briefs, deadlines, feedback… and then real life on top of it. School runs. Family. Food. Faith. Feelings. All of it.
But we’re not only designers. We’re whole humans.
So this is a cosy corner for the work and the life behind it — the stuff that actually keeps you going. And if you’ve forgotten it lately: you’re powerful. Not perfect. Not always energised. Just powerful in the real way.
In this section, I share over two decades of insights from the trenches of design. It's not your typical textbook theory; it's about the real, often overlooked aspects of the business — the stuff schools don't teach. We'll explore how to understand client briefs, communicate with heart, and trust your gut. This is real talk, from my experience to your hands, making the complex world of design business approachable and genuinely human.
LET'S BREAK it DOWN
For years, I've relied on this specific format for my own note-taking. Now, I'm delighted to share it with you. These pages are crafted to orderly house all your project notes, procedures, and client details in one consolidated space. No more misplaced notes or forgotten client contacts. They're here to bring a sense of structure and clarity to your creative endeavours.
Our undated diary pages are designed for flexibility. Start using them whenever you feel ready; there's no pressure to align with the calendar year. These pages are your ally in organizing your days and keeping track of deadlines, tailored to fit your unique schedule and workflow. They're here to adapt to you, not the other way around.
Freelancing is equal parts creativity and organisation—and we’ve got the second part covered. The Playbook Planner Digital Resources are editable templates built for Notion (a free project management system) to streamline your freelance workflow.
MY MISSION is for you as a creative to hear again: