Ever wondered what a day in the life of a brand designer looks like? For me, it’s equal parts creativity, coffee, and the occasional assistance from my flurry coworker, Coco! From sketching brand concepts to pet sitting furry friends, here’s a behind-the-scenes peek into how I blend work and life as a brand designer.

Morning Rituals: Coffee and Coco

My day kicks off with two non-negotiables: coffee and breakfast. There’s something about that morning brew that sets the tone for a productive day. While I sip my coffee, my “assistant,” Coco (my cat), makes an appearance at my desk. She loves to “help” me work (or at least supervise lol) until she decides it’s time for her next adventure.

After enjoying these cozy moments, I check my calendar and to-do list to plan out my day. I like to use a system similar to the Pomodoro method, working in focused 50-minute sessions with 10-minute breaks. This approach helps me stay productive without feeling overwhelmed.

My Workspace: From Home to Coffee Shops

Most of my work happens at home, where my desk is my creative hub. It’s stocked with everything I need to stay organized and inspired—Adobe Creative Suite, HoneyBook, Notion, and of course, my trusty sketchbook and iPad for mapping out ideas.

On days when I feel like switching things up, I head to my local coffee shop. Supporting small businesses, enjoying delicious coffee, and soaking in the café vibe always sparks fresh creativity. If I’m pet sitting, my “coworkers” might include playful dogs or cuddly cats, which adds an extra layer of joy to my day.

The Creative Process: From Strategy to Sketches

Every new project starts with collaboration. Before I even pick up a pencil, I work with my clients to build a solid brand strategy. Together, we define their vision, goals, and what makes their business unique.

Next, I create a mood board to capture the overall vibe of the brand. Once that’s approved, I move on to sketching ideas and this is where the magic begins! Seeing a brand take shape from pencil to polished design is one of my favorite parts of the process.

Balancing Creative Work and Client Communication

While designing is my passion, client communication is just as important. I encourage clients to share feedback throughout the process because it’s a vital part of bringing their vision to life.

To keep things organized, I offer multiple ways to communicate, like Notion, email, and scheduled meetings. I reserve Monday and Tuesday for deep work, while meetings are scheduled mid-week to give me time to prepare and focus. And to maintain work/life balance, I do not work weekends and (depending on when I receive the message) clients can expect to hear from me either Monday or Tuesday.

Breaking Up the Day

Throughout the day, I take regular breaks to recharge. My 10-minute pauses are perfect for grabbing a snack or scrolling social media. Around noon, I take a longer break to go for a walk, which clears my mind and helps me feel refreshed before diving back into work.

Unwinding and Recharging

Once I wrap up my workday, it’s time to unwind. I love reading webtoons, writing for a personal project, or drawing with The Office playing in the background. Coco is usually by my side for some quiet comfort, and I’ll finish the evening with a relaxing shower and some video games before heading to bed.

What Inspires Me

Nothing inspires me more than seeing happy clients. Knowing that we’ve created something impactful together is what keeps me passionate about my work. I also love sharing snippets of my personal interests, like coffee and animals, on social media because they’re such a big part of who I am.

Working as a brand designer allows me to channel my creativity into helping businesses tell their stories. Whether I’m sketching at my desk, enjoying a latte at a café, or playing with a dog I’m pet-sitting, every day is uniquely fulfilling. And with Coco as my loyal assistant, there’s never a dull moment!