A Day in the Life of a WFH Creative Designer
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a creative designer working from home?
In this post, I’ll take you through a typical day in my life — from brewing that perfect morning coffee to designing systems for a fintech company here in Manila.
Morning Routine
My day starts around 6:30 AM. I take a quick bath, brush my teeth, and — of course — scroll through social media (guilty!). But the real start of my morning is my coffee ritual.
Every morning, hindi kumpleto ang umaga without coffee. I can’t function without it. Sometimes I go for a flat white, but today — black coffee feels right. I’m using Arabica beans from Primal Brew Roastery, with tasting notes of orange zest, mixed berries, and chocolate-coated raisins. The aroma alone wakes me up. What I love most about making coffee is how calming and meditative the process feels. I use the pour-over method, which involves manually pouring hot water over the grounds in a filter, letting gravity do the rest. +The result? A perfectly balanced cup — smooth, fragrant, and just the right strength. Sometimes, I imagine my coffee as a person — someone cheering me on in the morning, saying, “Go Lemon! Kaya mo ‘yan!”
Planning the Day
Before I dive into work, I like to jot down a to-do list. I’m not the most organized person, but writing things down helps me stay focused. I use a dotted notebook from Fully Booked — minimal, clean, and perfect for sketching ideas or writing notes. On the side, I add reminders that aren’t urgent but still important to remember. This small habit helps me shift my brain from chaos to clarity.
Gym Time
Before logging in, I hit the gym. It clears my head and gives me energy to focus through the rest of the day.
Getting Ready for Work
After a quick shower and breakfast, it’s time to start my creative day.
Working as a Design Engineer at PayRex
I work as a Design Engineer at a fintech company called PayRex. My main role is to develop and maintain our design system — creating UI components, defining styles, and making sure everything looks beautiful, functional, and consistent.
As a designer, I always try to balance form and function — ensuring designs are not only user-friendly but also easy for engineers to build.
My Design Process
Here’s how I typically build a design system:
1. Define the Foundation - Logo, color palette, typography, and icons.
2. Set Variables and Styles - Colors, spacing, text styles, effects.
3. Develop Reusable Components - Start small (buttons, inputs, checkboxes) and don’t overbuild — focus on what’s needed first.
4. Create a Site Map and Identify Patterns - Reuse layouts and build templates for consistency.
5. Set Standards and Guidelines - Document definitions for developers.
6. Apply, Align, and Maintain - Keep everything consistent and collaborate with leads and engineers.
Different designers have different workflows, but this is how I do it. The important part is to stay flexible, learn continuously, and collaborate well.
“Design is never done — it’s something you continuously refine.”
Evening Routine
After work, I usually wind down with a bit of watching, learning, or reading — sometimes exploring new design trends or experimenting with personal projects.
Then it’s lights out.
Another creative day complete.
Good night everyone — see you in the next episode.
💡 Key Takeaways
1. Build habits that spark creativity — like making coffee or journaling.
2. Stay balanced between aesthetics and functionality.
3. Start small when creating design systems.
4. Keep learning and refining your craft.
🎥 Watch the Full Vlog 📺 A Day in the Life of a WFH Creative Designer (YouTube)
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🖋️ About the Author
Fleener Lemon is a creative designer based in Manila who specializes in brand identity, UI/UX, and digital experiences.
He’s also the creator behind Art of Lemon — a series that celebrates design, creativity, and everyday life.