winter 2011 news: making it easier

I hate winter. So much that it was enough for me to start my own company and name it after. A way of turning a negative into a positive, and to reinforce why I wanted to do things differently. For this designer, it was about time, efficiency, and realizing I wanted to make things easier. It's part of my philosophy of clear, uncomplicated design and doing things that are purposeful. Four hours a day, spent in the car, was not going to make me a better designer, wife, mother. It was going to make me irritated, caffeinated, and tired by the time I got home.

A lot has changed since those days. 20 years of working for other studios, agencies, marketing firms, and things are different. The economy is different. Technology is different. And the way we communicate is different. Here are some of my favorite ways that make working (and life) easier than ever.

37 signals

I can't say enough about this system for collaboration. Basecamp has revolutionized the way I keep track of projects. No more sending huge attachments through email. Invite collaborators, keep all your files in one place, tracking, sign offs, milestones. You'll love it and so will your clients.

Check out Basecamp and see how it works.

twitter

Want to know who that decision maker is in that company you've been trying to work with? Wonder what your competition is doing? Chances are they'll tell you themselves on twitter. If you are not using this tool, learn it. It's more than Facebook. It's direct access to the people you want to know.

Learn how to use Twitter

i phone

Email. Voice Mail. Instant Messaging. All within the palm of your hand. Plus a lot of apps that may (or may not) make your life easier.

Top 40 Apps of 2010

The most useless app

the office

Maybe you're traditional. You work in a cube. (and those TPS reports are due.) Or have an office with a view in a high rise. Or you choose to work in a Starbucks. Maybe you have a live/work space. Or you choose Coworking. The choices are endless. If you're lucky you get to choose how you work and where.

See some creative office spaces.

Watch episodes of The Office

live/work balance

As we get older (and we all do) we become more aware of time. Family is important. Vacations are important. Your personal, physical and mental well being are important. That's why companies offer vacation time, sick time and other benefits. Today you can find plenty of companies that offer a better balance. Because no one ever looked back on their life and wish they worked more.

Best companies to work for

Companies with the best benefits