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When creating something new, it’s important to bring structure into the process.

Having a place to record all those fantastic ideas that come into your heads from time to time can be tough.

That’s where organizational tools come into play.

They provide a wide array of solutions for different types of creatives who want to stay on top of their ideas.

You can easily manage your thoughts, set reminders for yourself, collaborate with other creatives and much more.

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Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will make a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

What are planners for creatives?

Planners for creatives are organizational tools that help you turn your thoughts into reality.

They provide a way to capture, manage and access the ideas that come to your minds at any time.

Because let’s face it, great ideas can happen anytime, anywhere.

That’s why planners having one in hand can transform into a true lifesaver.

Some of these tools allow you to collaborate with other creatives and access wonderful resources like videos and courses.

How can planners for creatives help me?

It’s impossible to think about all the ideas that we have each day.

We need a place to write them down and manage them later on when we can fully concentrate on their development.

Planners for creatives allow you to capture those ideas, share them with others and organize them in a way that is easy for you to understand.

They are also helpful for both individuals and teams since they provide quick access to all the information you need about any of your projects.

How do planners for creatives work?

The workflow depends on each individual planner so it’s hard to give advice on this.

But in general, they make it easy to track ideas, deadlines and everything else you need.

To make the planners even more effective you can create any number of “lists” inside each project.

This way your creative workstation becomes highly customizable which is great for personal use or team setups.

Who are planners for creatives designed for?

Planners for creatives are designed with different people in mind.

They are helpful to both individuals and teams since they provide easy access to all the project-related information you might need.

Creatives who work on their own can use them to stay on top of their ideas, manage client projects, track deadlines and more.

Teams can use them to manage projects, share ideas and stay on top of their work.

This is just a small list of examples since the best way to discover how they work is by trying them out for yourself.

What are some planners for creatives I could try?

If you’re looking to try out a planner for creatives, you have a ton of options to choose from.

Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses so it’s important that you pick the solution that best fits your needs.

Below are some of our favorite types of planners for creatives that can help you stay on top of your ideas.

Digital planners for creatives

Digital planners are easy to use and accessible from any device.

They provide a simple way for individuals who work on their own to get organized.

Some of the most popular examples are:

Evernote

Evernote is a cross-platform app that allows you to manage your thoughts, access them from any device you own and collaborate with other creatives.

They also have a helpful browser extension so you can save notes and ideas wherever you go on the internet.

Trello

Trello is an online solution that lets you create checklists, share files and stay on top of your work.

You can also use it with a large number of add-ons to bring in more information.

Asana

Asana is another great online solution that lets you create projects, tasks, assign deadlines to them and track their progress.

Pen and paper planners for creatives

You don’t have to use digital tools if you’re more of a “pen and paper” type of person.

There are plenty of planners designed for creatives that are easy to use offline too.

Some examples are:

Bullet Journals

The Bullet Journal system is probably the most popular example on this list since it has gained a lot of traction in the past few years.

It lets you create lists, set reminders to yourself and stay on top of your work.

Below are some great bullet journals that are perfect planners for creatives:

Bullet Dotted Journal Kit

This Journal kit is perfect for organizing and planning your life.

It comes with a yellow notebook, colored pencils, stencils, stickers and so much more!

Ultimate Productivity Stencil Set for Dotted Journals

This productivity journal is a time saving planner that includes a ton of accessories.

Creatives will love this journal because it has a ton of easy layouts that includes checklists, planners, calendars and so much more.

Field Notes

If you prefer something small and simple then Field Notes are for you.  

They are great for capturing ideas, setting reminders and organizing them in a way that makes sense to you.

Below are a few of our favorite field notes that you can use:

Field Notes: Original Kraft

This 3 pack field notes are perfect for daily note taking to help you organize your thoughts.

Field Notes: National Parks Series

These special national park field notes are perfect for outdoor lovers, and creative workers.

They are great for jotting down ideas, planning your next camping trip or just taking notes on the go!

Daily Planners

These are great for organizing your day and keeping track of the things you need to do.

They usually feature a calendar, space to take notes and can be customized in any way you like.

Below are a few of our favorite daily planners that could be perfect for any creatives:

The Offbeat Organizer

We are pretty biased with The Offbeat Organizer since we personally created with creatives and remote workers in mind.

What we love about our planner is it allows you to make each task a lot less overwhelming and done in steps.

Which means less stress and more achievable goals.

Undated Daily planner

We love this undated daily planner because it’s specifically designed to make your life and work a lot easier.

TREES Hourly Daily Planner

This daily planner is another great option for creatives.

It includes undated calendars, appointment planners, meal planners, and much more!

How do I choose the right planner for me?

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a small guide on how to choose the best one for your needs.

Step 1: The first step is to identify and describe the problem that you’re trying to solve.  

If you already have a planner, take some time to think about what you love about it and what you are lacking.  

As we’ve already mentioned, different planners for creatives are designed to solve specific problems.

That’s it’s important that you are able to identify what you need in order to pick the right one.

Step 2: Next, take a look at their features and figure out which of them would benefit your workflow.

If you don’t have enough time to compare all their features on your own, go with a digital solution that is easy to set up and manage.

Step 3: Make sure you try them out before buying them to see how they work in real life.

Some tools like Evernote, Trello and Asana offer free trials so you can use them for free for a limited time.   

Remember, the best planner for you is one that helps you get things done and enjoy using it.

If you follow these simple steps, we’re sure that you’ll find the planner for creatives that works best for you.

How to use planners for creatives

Once you’ve chosen the best planner for you, all that’s left is to set it up and start using it.

If you’re new to these types of tools then here are some tips on how to use them effectively:

Keep it simple

One of the biggest mistakes people make when they first start using planners is creating too much structure.

If you make a plan for a year in advance or create a list with 10 tasks it’s going to be too much and you’ll lose track of your work.

Instead, start small and gradually build on top of what you’ve created once you’re more comfortable using the tool.

Don’t limit yourself to one solution

It’s very likely that you’ll start using a digital solution like Trello or Evernote and then transition to a physical planner once it fits your needs better.

There is nothing wrong with that at all!

So feel free to use whatever planner works best for you and only use the rest as a supplement.

It’s all about balance and finding what works for you, not following trends or being stuck with one option forever.

Don’t be afraid to experiment

Another common mistake among beginners is sticking with an old routine because it works for them even though there are better ways of doing it.  

Remember that planning is an ongoing process and that you’ll have to experiment with different strategies before finding the one that works for you.

Don’t limit yourself to just one way of doing things and don’t be afraid to look at old ways of planning from a new perspective so you can come up with better solutions.

Planners for creatives: Frequently Asked Questions

If you would like more information on how to choose the right planner for creatives, check out the FAQ below.

What is a planner?

When we talk about planners, we usually mean notebooks that contain pages that you can use to organize your thoughts and set goals.  

They also come with a calendar and space to write down reminders to yourself.  

If you’re not sure where to start, they are usually divided into days so you can see all your tasks in different categories and organize them in a way that makes sense to you.

What are the benefits of using a planner?

There are many benefits to using a planner.   

They can help you get things done on time, feel more organized and improve your productivity.

When you write down your ideas, it’s easier for them to become real projects that you can actually spend time completing.   

Of course, if you stick with it, you’ll also get better at managing your time and achieving goals.

Can I use a planner for my business?

Yes, absolutely.   

You can use your planner to plan out your day and set goals.  

It’s very simple to do if you follow our guide on how to choose the right one for your needs.

Can I use my smartphone as a planner?

Yes and no.

If you’re looking for a solution that is easy to set up, we recommend going with an app like Evernote or Todoist since they can be installed on almost any device.   

On the other hand, if you want something more complex and customizable, paper planners are the way to go.

Both can be affordable and portable since you can easily take them with you when you’re on the go.

Do I need to be artistic to use a planner?

Not at all!  

Most digital planners don’t require any artistic skills which means that everyone can use them without too much hassle.   

On the other hand, if you like using traditional planners, there are many designs to choose from.     

There are also some planners designed specifically for creatives.

All in all, it doesn’t matter if you like to express yourself through colors and shapes or prefer simplicity and functionality – there’s something for everyone!

Key Takeaways

The most important thing you need to know is that there is no such thing as the perfect planner.

Instead, you should try out different solutions and see which one fits your needs best.

If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend buying a simple notebook and seeing if it works for you first before investing in more expensive planners designed specifically for creatives.

Remember that the best solution is one that feels right for you, not what other people are using or recommending.

If it takes time to set up, doesn’t fit your needs or just doesn’t feel good to use – don’t hesitate to look somewhere else.

You can also take a look at our guide on how to choose the right planner for creatives and which features you should focus on when shopping for a new one.

So, when it comes to planners for creatives, the possibilities are practically endless.  

If you’re up for it, we wish you all the luck in finding your perfect planner and hope that this article will help you get started.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below or take a look at our other posts.   

We promise that we’ll do our best to provide you with all the information you need and answer any questions that come your way!