Organize your design assets: folders, file names and quick search

Separate library and projects

Keep kit materials separate from client-specific files. The originals should not be accidentally changed along with the working banner. For your project, make copies of selected images and sources. Then deleting the old project will not affect the shared collection, and updating the collection will not overwrite your edits.

Start with a few clear categories: icons, backgrounds, textures, objects, podiums, effects and PSD. Don't create dozens of subfolders until it's clear what you're really looking for. A structure that is too detailed can slow down search more than a large list with previews.

Add a second level based on practical use

Within a category, use one clear principle. For example, backgrounds can be divided into light and dark presentation, and objects can be divided into themes. Do not mix color, date and purpose on the same level without a rule. If one material serves multiple purposes, add a link or entry to your favorites list instead of multiple copies.

To check the structure, download free PNG icons and save a few selected objects. Try to find the one you need in a week by topic, and not by memory of the location. If you have to open everything, it’s worth clarifying the names or categories.

Use meaningful file names

1. Start the name with the subject or type of material: camera, background, podium.
2. Add a noticeable feature: color, angle or texture.
3. Leave the option number when the images are similar.
4. Keep the extension and don't call the raster file a vector.
5. For sources, mark the working copy and the final version of the project separately.

There is no need to manually rename the entire collection at once. Start with materials you actually use. The original names of the set can be saved in the original folder, and made more convenient in your own working collection. This helps you check updates and stay in touch with the source.

Store source information

Next to the set, leave the page where you obtained it, author and terms of use that were provided. Don't assume that any free file can automatically be resold or passed off as your own material. If the conditions for your task are unclear, check with the kit author before submitting to the client.

The preview and the original may differ in size and format. Mark where the file is for work, and where the picture is for viewing. This is especially important for transparent objects: the white background in the preview does not show the presence of an alpha channel in the downloaded PNG. Check the original itself in the editor.

Create a small selection of favorites

Choose materials that have already worked well in projects. Keep a contact sheet or list with a short description of the application nearby. Don't turn your favorites into a copy of your entire library. Its task is to give a quick start, while the main set remains a place to search for new options.

For updates, create a temporary folder with the date, view the new files and distribute them according to the rules. Keep a backup copy of your structure. Working with a ready-made source code is discussed in the article about PSD, and the composition of open collections can be viewed in free materials .