Being able to find files quickly is helpful and saves time. Using a file naming system can help keep you organized. In a recent conversation about archiving, Suzanne Im from the Los Angeles Public Library suggested using something called a Naming Convention. This is a pattern for naming files in a consistent way so you and your future archive caretakers can understand what each document is. Writing down your formula will help you train yourself and also leave a document so others can understand your logic system. One thing to consider is how your mind works- if you confuse numbers easily - using Jan instead of 01 might be helpful. Another suggestion came from a Now Be Here Art community member- she keeps her "Artists Statements" all in one file so she has them all in one place. Each updated version gets info as the heading like 2021-Guggenheim. This way it is all in one document.
Do you have a system that works for you? Please make a suggestion HERE so we can all learn from one another!
Here are a few examples/ideas:
DATE formatting
YearMonthDay- 2020_01_07
YearMonthDay (combo)- 2020Jan07
IMAGE organization
For images of your final artwork, consider giving each work an Inventory Number
Using the year then count up from 01 -be sure to use 0 to hold the 10's place.
Tracking different versions like this:
2011.01_Original.Tiff
2011.01_2MB.jpeg
2011.01_Square.jpeg
2011.01_5MB.jpeg
ARTICLES/ PRESS this is a possible format:
2021_LATimes_Miranda_Carolina.pdf
GRANTS/ APPLICATIONS:
2021_Guggenheim_Narrative_Draft_Jan112021.pdf
2021_Guggenheim_Narrative_Final.pdf
You can also drop the _ between words and use Capitalization like this:
2021_GuggenheimNarrativeDraftJan112021.pdf