60-60-30 Productivity for Level Designers and Environment Artist (2024)

Category: Productivity/Time Management

January 30, 2009 (updated: January 07, 2013)

It is difficult to work on a project. Whether it is personal, school or a job, you constantly have to move forward and produce something that gets you closer to the finished product.

One of the most common problems is lack of focus. Not in the vision of the environment or a map but lack of focus in working on the project itself. Sitting down and putting in the time, every day.

This has been one of my problems. Lack of working focus. I wanted to be good at everything; 3d modeling, character design, concept art, animation, rigging, level design, texturing, environment art. I could keep going. There is a phrase for that. Jack of all trades and a master of none. It means that I wasn't great at anything. Just good, decent or incompetent at a lot of things. It also means I rarely got anything finished.

Over the last few months I have been focusing more and more on environment and level design. It's what I love doing.

I'm going to share with you a practical technique that I've used when working on my senior thesis and personal projects.

I learned this technique from Eben Pagan and its called 60-60-30.

You want to work on the highest output activity that will bring you closer to finishing your map or a environment design set. The key is single activity and focus.

KEY CONCEPTS

Get a timer: I do all of my work with a timer. Setting the timer for 50 minutes allows me to tune everything out and focus on what I am doing. I know once the timer goes off I can take a break. Stop looking at the clock. Every time you distract yourself from your work, it takes energy away from your project. Time gives me the freedom to focus and work.

50 minutes: Focus on a single activity. No distractions. No multi-tasking, no checking emails, no surfing the web. What I mean by multi-tasking is working on two or more non-related projects or activities at the same time.

10 minutes: Use this time to completely unplug from what you are doing. Step away from the computer and go grab a snack, drink some water or tea. Just relax for 10 minutes and don't work. Rest. Set the timer for 10 minutes.

30 minutes: 30 minute break is usually used for meals or snacks. Every time you work and exert willpower, it depletes your glucose levels. This is why after a an hour or two you become less focused, more distracted and agitated, especially if it is a very difficult task. When you work in 60-60-30 chunks and take breaks, it allows you to fuel your body and renew yourself. I eat 5-6 small meals through the day. Usually every 3-4 hours and I try to do my best to eat healthy, whole foods.

This is very important. To function properly you can't starve yourself and expect to operate at an optimal level. So during this 30 minute break, completely disconnect from you work. Eat a meal. Relax and renew your mind and your body.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It has become a mantra for me over last few weeks. This helps me to stay highly focused, get more done without burning myself out.

Also being focused and working on one thing at a time is very liberating. At the end of the day I can look back and see actual progress I made on my work.

I get more done in just one session of 60-60-30, then I did when I tried to cram 3-5 hours of working.

UPDATE (Jan. 07, 2014):

I wanted to drop in an update to this blog post. I continue to use this method 4 years later. I often modify this to fit my energy levels to avoid burning out or hitting the wall.

I've modified this to various chunks of 45-30-15, 30-30-15 or 15-15-5.

Take the 60-60-30 and modify it to fit your current focus levels, discipline and project.

60-60-30 Productivity for Level Designers and Environment Artist (2024)

FAQs

What is the 60-60-30 method? ›

60-60-30 stands for time; time chunks. 60 minutes, 60 minutes and 30 minutes. You work for 60 minute, twice and then you take a break for 30 minutes.

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What is the 60-60-30 rule? ›

The 60-60-30 technique says, “You do your intended activity for 60 minute, twice with focus and then you take a complete break for 30 minutes.” Knowing my own personality, I didn't want to work constantly for 60 minutes because I like to take a 5 minute break every 20 minutes or so.

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What is the 60 30 method? ›

One budgeting method that's growing in popularity is the 60/30/10 budget. This approach allocates 60% of your income to needs, 30% to wants, and 10% to savings. Breaking down your income into these three categories gives you a simple and practical guideline for planning how you'll spend your money each month.

What is the 60 30 10 technique? ›

Ranging from bold to bright, to subtle and neutral, you have an entire rainbow of colors to experiment with. This decorating rule suggests that you should cover your room with 60% of a dominant color, 30% of a secondary color, and 10% of an accent shade. It is all about maintaining the perfect balance of tones.

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What is the 30-60-90 strategy? ›

A 30-60-90-day plan is a tool for new managers or managers new to their roles to gain clarity of what's expected from them. It allows you to identify the largest challenges, and set goals. It serves as a guide, a resource, and a checklist. It's a key part of a robust onboarding process.

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What is the Golden Rule 60 30 10? ›

This is the rule: 60% main color + 30% secondary color + 10% accent color. 60% of the main color of the room includes the walls, the sofa, the main color of the carpet of your area, and maybe even your closets or tiles (if we are talking about kitchens and bathrooms).

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What is the 60 30 10 rule black? ›

60 percent of a room should be in your primary color, 30 percent in your secondary hue, and 10 percent in an accent shade. These proportions prevent your chosen colors from feeling too overpowering or, alternatively, from being too minimal to notice.

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What is the 60 30 10 rule of time management? ›

Namely, the numbers signify percentages of working time. So, this method means dedicating 60% of your time to the most important tasks. 30% should go into mid-tier tasks, and the last 10% into tasks that aren't as important but will help you prepare for the next day.

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What is the 60 40 rule effort? ›

But, the most successful entrepreneurs practice the 60/40 rule in every interaction. The rule is simple — in any conversation, as the person who is conceptualizing, developing, selling or optimizing an idea, you should listen at least 60% of the time; and talk no more than 40% of the time.

What is the 60 30 10 rule of communication? ›

Figler suggests that you should allocate 60% of your time to face-to-face contact, such as one-on-one contact or in groups. Spend 30% of your time in electronic communications, including the phone and email. Use 10% of your time preparing written documents, for instance resumes and cover letters.

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