Tracking design time

[afiberartist]

Not sure if anybody else does this but I use my tablet, watch and or phone to track my time when working. I use the stop watch function. Start it up when I start then pause it when I need to step away from designing. When I am able to get back to it I start it up again. I can continue the stopwatch the next day or so but I log it at the end of my day and log it on my spreadsheets. I know it seems to take all the fun out of being creative but if one is curious about their time spent it’s a way to do it.

[Ann @ frabjous fabrica]

The main problem is remembering to stop and start it when you take a break and especially when you pack up for the day.
The only time I decided to record how long I took to make one of my felt "paintings" was when I was doing a commission. I had already quoted a price so it was just a case of seeing how far out my costing was. I used the system I used to use at work when I had to record my time pretty accurately as it was the basis for my firm's account (I was a lawyer). The hour was divided into units of 6 minutes - 10 to an hour. I gave up recording working on my commission when I passed something like 144 hours - which at the UK's then minimum rate at the time of £8 per hour would have put the labour charge in excess of £1500 - I'd only charged £200! I think it's probably better not to know unless you are trying to make a living, which I wasn't.

[caterina]

Jan 4, 2023 9:03:33 GMT Ann @ frabjous fabrica said:

The main problem is remembering to stop and start it when you take a break and especially when you pack up for the day.
The only time I decided to record how long I took to make one of my felt "paintings" was when I was doing a commission. I had already quoted a price so it was just a case of seeing how far out my costing was. I used the system I used to use at work when I had to record my time pretty accurately as it was the basis for my firm's account (I was a lawyer). The hour was divided into units of 6 minutes - 10 to an hour. I gave up recording working on my commission when I passed something like 144 hours - which at the UK's then minimum rate at the time of £8 per hour would have put the labour charge in excess of £1500 - I'd only charged £200! I think it's probably better not to know unless you are trying to make a living, which I wasn't.

It is often not useful to keep accurate track of time for works of art, then.

I remember a lacemaker in Orvieto, a real artist in her lacework, used to put the number of worked hours alongside the price label, just to be sure that the eye-watering price of her shawls and so on was correctly gauged: to be sure, if you work on something for three months and you make a living from it, 3 000 euros are not too much for it from your point of view, just the minimum wage. It remains quite shocking, though, for the consumers.
Indeed, it makes you reflect on how much we are used to ridicolously low prices for wearables, how much we would have to spend if those were handmade and hours of work were taken into account properly. Who would buy and throw away without a thought, then?

[MTRuth]

I have tracked time in projects for classes. One of my classmates recommended the app airtable.com for this. I have not used it though. Generally, I don't track my time.

[lyn]

It would be difficult to keep a track of the thinking/designing time as often this happens in brief sessions throughout the day/week/month when you are perhaps not 'at your desk'.

[afiberartist]

Jan 5, 2023 9:56:04 GMT lyn said:

It would be difficult to keep a track of the thinking/designing time as often this happens in brief sessions throughout the day/week/month when you are perhaps not 'at your desk'.

It definitely is a discipline.
I work from two different studio areas in two different towns. I utilize my Apple Watch, iPhone and carry my tablet. Just another tool in the tool box.

Time management was part of my business world early in my professional floristry career. I worked for a large busy funeral home in Dallas, Tx. and “on time work” was a necessity. No being late for service times.

[Shepherdess]

It's not something I have done. It would be remembering to start and stop the clock. It is a good idea so you have an idea when people say how long did that take? Although starting with 15 years of practice is always good.

[afiberartist]

Jan 7, 2023 23:17:05 GMT Shepherdess said:

It's not something I have done. It would be remembering to start and stop the clock. It is a good idea so you have an idea when people say how long did that take? Although starting with 15 years of practice is always good.

I was a professional certified floral designer for over 40 years but but I find “everybody is a florist” talk all the time 🤪. Martha did not help the professionalism of the industry in the long run(my personal opinion.) Does that sound bitter? I hope so. 😁 Also now I’m old when I say how long, I think the younger “YouTube” generation poo, poos you.