About a year ago, I promised a look inside my bag and what I carry as a graphic designer. Amazingly, I got to how I travel as a freelancer before I got to posting that. What I need as a designer varies from day to day, depending on the project and what I am working on, so this post could really be a short chapter book. To narrow it down, I’m going to cover what I take to a meeting where I will be working at the meeting location afterwards. Let’s have a look, shall we?

THE LITTLE THINGS
I carry lots of little gadgets as a designer. Let’s say I have a client meeting, a new branding project, social media, and finishing printed pieces all on my plate for the day. I will make sure I have an Xacto knife with me for any pieces I have to trim, as well as my cutting mat. I bring my laptop and phone chargers, and headphones. (Even as I type this, I’m charging my phone because I’ve been all over the place.) I also carry a tiny Swingline stapler with me (it’s purple). A lot of times in meetings I’ll staple stuff to my copy of a contract, and I don’t have paper clips with me. Paper clips are messy and easy to scatter everywhere. Just bring a stapler. The last of my small items is a bottle of hand sanitizer because people are germy and public places are flu farms.

THE BIG THINGS
These are the items that help me get stuff done

• Macbook Pro

• IPhone 6S+

• Sketchbook for initial concept processing with client.

• Folder containing contract, creative brief, current work

• Wallet containing business cards, a journal

• Notebook for jotting down some initial notes about the client’s needs

• Checkbook to safely store payment

PREPARED TO WORK ON ANYTHING FROM ANYWHERE
Regardless of what phase of a project I’m in, I am prepared to work on anything from anywhere. If I need to work on concept development or thumbnails, I have a sketchbook. If I need to work on production, I have my laptop. If it’s a meeting, I’m have all of my paperwork plus a way to get basic ideas down on paper. If I strike up a conversation with someone I’m ready to pass along my card. I’ve worked in airports, made contacts on airplanes, developed brands from coffee shops, and updated social media from a bar. Part of what makes me free to travel is my ability to take my work with me. What keeps work from dominating my life is my ability to set boundaries. Being prepared to work on anything from anywhere has made the whole world my office. Also, my passport. That’s what made a global office possible.