Digital File Organization

About this course

Every creative practice eventually drowns in files. This short, practical course sets up a system you can keep: a folder structure built around projects, file names that sort correctly, sensible versioning, a backup routine with local and off-site copies that you test by restoring, embedded metadata for images, and archiving and handoff habits. You will apply the system to one real, messy project and document it so future-you can follow it.

Who it’s for: Any artist or designer with more files than they can find. No technical background needed. Works on Windows, macOS and Linux.

You will be able to

• Design a project-based folder structure and apply it to existing work.
• Name files with a consistent, sortable convention including dates and versions.
• Set up a backup routine with local and off-site copies and test a restore.
• Add creator and contact metadata to image files.
• Archive a finished project and prepare a clean client handoff package.

Studio project

A real project reorganized, backed up, restore-tested and archived, with a one-page file system guide you will keep using.

To complete this course

• Complete every required lesson.
• Have the assignment “Overhaul one real project” accepted by an instructor.
• Records of completion are issued only for courses whose content has passed instructor review.

Part of

• Artist Website Program