Outside of scheduled team meetings and 1-on-1’s, I’ll often find myself involved in impromptu pairing sessions with a developer (prompted by ?in Slack) where we jam on a problem and brainstorm solutions together. Every time that happens, the outcome is better and faster than any formalized process I’ve ever used.

Aside from the productivity, the occasional video chats help to avoid the creeping feeling of isolation that comes from spending 8 hours sandwiched between noise-cancelling headphones.

Find your tribe

Design is hard because it’s a labour of love, a passion project and a fire that needs to be stoked. In order to keep that passion alive as a remote designer, I find it invaluable to seek out like-minded people and talk shop once or twice a week. When I share my wins, my highs, my lows, my anxieties — I somehow feel more capable and competent in myself. I’ve found that mentoring scratches that itch.

I currently have the pleasure of mentoring three awesome designers in a regular capacity, am mentored myself by the lovely Eva-Lotta, and am an advisor to several startups. Mentoring is a win-win for both parties, and I’m honestly a better person and designer because of it. I draw immense satisfaction in helping other designers achieve success in their own world by listening, asking questions and occasionally sharing my own experiences.

Although I’d estimate only spending 3–4 hours per week on these out-of-work discussions, I consider them very much part of my job. They keep me grounded, productive and inspired.

If you’re interested in either volunteering your own time, or if you’re looking for a mentor — I’d highly recommend Out of Office Hours.

Whatever form it takes, finding a way to to collaborate, chat and work with other designers can be a great way to inspire your work. Sure, your physical space, a dream computer setup, an Instagram-worthy desk are all nice to have — but collaboration is what will make you better.

Sometimes, in-person is just better

In my opinion, successful remote teams are ones who have spent a little time together, at some point, in the same physical space. When you’re given the opportunity to interact, have fun and get to know each other as people — you’re able to form meaningful relationships, and gain the ability to give and receive constructive, honest feedback when you return home.

Of course, nothing connects people faster than being forced to go hiking at 5am — which appears to be the Help Scout CEO’s strategy (it works).

Similarly there have been occasions where it’s made sense for me to fly overseas in order to help meet a deadline, on-board new designers or pair with an engineer. It’s difficult to leave my family, and logistically challenging now I live in the middle of nowhere — but in every case it’s been a worthwhile use of my time. Sometimes all the process and remote culture in the world can’t replace good ol’ fashioned face-to-face interaction.