So there’s a pretty common keyboard shortcut that almost every designer uses often (and too often forgets to use).
It’s [Command] + [S]
Simple. Profound. And a nightmare when you get so wrapped up in the project you don’t use it!
This shortcut “saves” your work. I recently was working on a Restaurant’s Menu redesign (hopefully I’ll be able to show that work in a future post soon) and got so caught up in designing, I literally worked for 2.5 hours without that handy keyboard shortcut!
You know that happened next…
I got everything looking great, began the export for a printed proof (this is a relatively lengthy process, because I’m working on an older MacPro that has served me well, but is tired) and while waiting for the exported files to complete, I was caught up by a song I was listening to (btw, www.grooveshark.com is awesome while working). I clicked through the the bands website and unintentionally allowed iTunes to launch to play a preview of their new song.
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THAT. WAS. A. MISTAKE!
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Everything stopped! Not even the deadly rainbow-pinwheel-of-doom. Just. Stopped.
… and THAT is when I remembered my favorite keyboard shortcut! But it was too late. I’d lost 2.5 hours of work and a great deal of self esteem. My eyes teared a bit, and it was almost 5pm. I had kids at home waiting to play soccer with their awesome (yet out of shape) father.
So I did what any designer would do… I sobbed! And took this picture and posted it to instagram.
The lesson:
“Save Save Save… and then Save again just in case.”
You’re welcome!