Importance of File organization
Organizing your files is extemely important as more and more of our lives exists in the digital environment. There are many ways to approach structuring your files, you could organize by keeping folders at the same level or by nesting folders within folders creating a multi-level structure.
What Makes a Good Folder Structure?
Suggested Structure
- Folder labeled: semester, class number, your last name-your first name; Example: 20SP-ART146-Matusek-Chris
- Project Folders labeled: 01 Project-[insert a short descriptor]; Example 01 Project-Illustrator Composition
- What file types to include for each software:
- Illustrator - Packaged file - this will include fonts, links, report, and native .ai file. Also, export a .pdf and jpg (300dpi).
- InDesign - Package file - this will include fonts, links, report, and native .indd, .idml, and .pdf.
- Photoshop - .psd, .pdf, jpg or png, or gif (if animation)
- Statement - .doc, .pages or .txt format
- Folder with variations if you have multiple iterations of the project.
- Resources folder - Any template files, reference images, research, etc.
- What file types to include for each software:
- Project Folders labeled: 01 Project-[insert a short descriptor]; Example 01 Project-Illustrator Composition
File Naming Conventions
Here are some useful tips to follow when naming your files:
Example of a good file name: icons-fruit-bw-20-0420.ai
- Use alphanumeric (letters and numbers)
- Use Sentence-case for folders and all Lower-case for files
- Do end each file with a six-digit date formatted in year-monthday (i.e. 20-0420)
- Do not use special character like ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) . These characters are part of languages and coding and can cause file corruption.
- Do not use spaces, instead use a hyphen as a space between words
- Always end with a dot and file extension
Example of a good file name: icons-fruit-bw-20-0420.ai
Resources