Great design doesn’t happen in the gaps between meetings. It happens when your time is planned with the same intention as space, materials and budgets.
For many designers, the calendar fills up quickly with client appointments, site visits, documentation deadlines and daily business admin. Add industry events, professional development and Awards preparation — and the panic can start to kick in.
A little forward planning can change that.
Start with your core work rhythms
Begin by blocking out the non-negotiables:
- Daily work activities like emails, quote sourcing, admin and supplier liaison
- Face-to-face client time — consultations, presentations and site meetings
- Design and documentation, including concept development, drawing preparation and specifications — the real work
Rather than letting tasks overlap chaotically, try batching similar to-dos. This is especially important when reserving uninterrupted blocks for documentation or concept work — including time for thinking.
Plan the design thinking time
Creative work needs breathing room. Concept design and design development are harder to do well when you’re squeezing them in between meetings. Treat these stages as you would a client appointment: schedule them, protect them, and give them the respect they deserve.
Factor in industry connection
Professional development and connection aren’t 'extras' — they’re part of a sustainable design career. Industry events are ideal touchpoints to spark inspiration, learn from peers and reconnect with the broader design community before the year gains momentum.
When mapping out your year, be sure to include industry and networking events (like those on the KBDi Calendar, naturally).
Don’t forget Awards planning
Like all great projects, successful Awards entries need time and preparation.
If you’re planning travel to Europe for the April design shows, it’s especially important to map out your Awards preparation before you go.
(We know some of our experienced entrants are onto this already — and you know who you are 😉. They’re chasing up the PowerPoint templates as we speak.)
Key dates to lock into your calendar now:
- Awards open: Monday, 16 February 2026
- Entries close: Friday, 24 April 2026 (12:00 pm local time)
- Finalists announced: Week commencing 15 June 2026
- Winners announced: Saturday, 15 August 2026
Breaking the process into stages — project selection, photography, written submissions and documentation collation — makes the workload far more manageable.
Table the big dates
As you plan the second half of the year, be sure to reserve time for two major industry milestones in Sydney:
- ACFA + KBDi Conference: 14–15 August 2026
- KBDi Design Awards Gala: Saturday, 15 August 2026
A final thought
Time is one of your most valuable design tools. When you plan it intentionally — across client work, creative thinking, learning and recognition — you create space for better design, better business decisions and a far more enjoyable year.
Your future self will thank you.
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