Design as ​...

I am a firm believer that complex ideas can be simplified through clear, clean design. I think about the times when I saw a visual, whether that be a chart or a model, that made something click. 

For me, design cannot be separated from access.  Beautiful PowerPoints, well-constructed websites, simple models, are all ways to help connect ideas to the broader audience. Even further, for me, design is also part of the process​.  It's why I'm a huge fan of bullet journals, project wheels, and any form of visual planning that helps with ideation and brainstorming.

Current Project: The UNO Series

UTILIZATION • NAVIGATION •  ORGANIZATION  via NOTION
This multi-part series is about both creating templates and sharing the process so that you can adopt and adapt them too. While most of the templates are geared towards folx in academia, they're really for anyone who wants a bit of structure, with a splash of pretty~
Each of these templates utilize the platform Notion, which I've written about here. (Tip: if you sign up with an .edu account, you can get the Pro version for free).  If you want non-Notion templates, check out my TEMPLATES section.

UNO 1:
​Planning a Semester

Semesters and quarters can feel like they fly by, and for me, differentiating between 2 months and 8 weeks (at least in my mind) has helped me project plan and figure out what my competing workflows are (and hopefully how to avoid them!). In this template, you can plan not only week-by-week each semester, but also from there use the database feature to create daily tasks.

UNO 2: Academic Research Pipeline​

When it comes to organizing research projects, there's often a ton of moving parts: projects can be tied to manuscripts, grants, to conferences, and more. ALSO some things are just manuscripts only, and so it can be a big mess. To help me keep track of my projects and what's tied with what , I made this pipeline template where you can link things, but also drop in files as needed!

UNO 3: Organizing towards Tenure

Tenure is one of the biggest milestones for tenure-track faculty, and while the metrics and outcomes of research, teaching, and service are important, it's also deeply dependent on our ability to stay organized! So, here's one way that I have organized my files year to year, across buckets (but also include the caveat that you need to tailor and adjust to YOUR institution). 

PAST PROJECTS*

I enjoy creating one-pagers as streamlined, consumable resources that can easily be understood and shared easily. In past years, I used to make annual one-pagers for fellowships and conferences. 

*In lieu of the faculty pre-tenure period, I am taking a temporary pause and instead, created a year-long lookahead on my Due Dates page! Check it out.

Bullet JournalS: Tailoring ProcesS

ORGANIZING FOR STRUCTURE, FOR PROGRESS

It can feel overwhelming at first, but at the heart of it, bullet journaling is a fancy, structured, tailored to do list. I'm a fan of using paper and pencil to write down my to-dos. I used to use a planner, but then realized that I enjoyed making the designs myself. I also realized that doing it was part of how I could let out some creativity and relax. So don't let it intimidate you, check out the links below, and try giving it a whirl!

BUT, I also recognize that not everyone has the time, energy, or desired ability.  ​Having bullet journaled for a couple of years now, I've had friends share that they wish they could just download my layouts, so I DIGITIZED them like the project wheel and have them so that you can just download them and use as desired. 
TO LEARN OR ACCESS MORE:

& if you're curious, Find me on Instagram! @planned.by