Welcome to Issue 7 of the Visual Assembly series.
Each week, you get a bite-sized lesson on transforming your visuals into brand-building assets.

Tired of files named final_final_USETHISONE_v2?
Try the FAST-er Way

If that filename in the headline makes you laugh (or cry) in recognition, join the club. We’ve all stared at a folder full of similarly named files, wondering which version is the final. It's not just frustrating — it's eating your time and affecting your credibility.

Today, we’re fixing that frustration with a system that helps you find files FAST:

• Format (category)
• Asset name (what it is)
• Stamp (date)
• Track (version)

Here’s how it looks in practice:

LOGO_horizontal_250225_v2.ai

SOCIAL_IGcreativityquote_250225_v3.png

TEMPLATE_proposal_250225_v1.docx

This order isn’t random. It matches our natural file-searching process (“I need last week’s logo”) and how file systems organize content. Let’s break the FAST file-naming system down:

🔵 F = Format

This is your file’s primary category, making similar files easy to find together. For example:

LOGO_horizontal_250225_v2.ai

Start with a prefix in all caps that identifies the file category.

Marketing Materials:

• SOCIAL_ (social media)
• NEWS_ (newsletter)
• BLOG_ (blog images)
• EMAIL_ (email graphics)

Brand Assets:

• LOGO_ (logos)
• STYLE_ (brand elements)
• ICON_ (icons)
• PHOTO_ (photography)

Business Files:

• TEMPLATE_ (templates)
• PROPOSAL_ (proposals)
• PRES_ (presentations)

Choose sensible prefixes. The suggestions above are starting points, not rules.

Clarity beats brevity. For example, TEMPLATE_ might be longer than TEMP_, but it’s never confused with temporary.

🔵 A = Asset Name

Next up, describe your file’s specific purpose or content. For example:

LOGO_horizontal_250225_v2.ai

Some typical asset names might be:

• horizontal (logo orientation)
• header (template part)
• companyproposal (specific client proposal)

Choose meaningful and consistent terms. For instance, if you describe horizontal logos as “horizontal,” don't also call them “landscape.” Consider adding a section to your style guide for asset names to remember your terms.

🔵 S = Stamp

Include the creation date, so you can track the timeline. For example:

LOGO_horizontal_250225_v2.ai

Here, the numbers translate to February 25, 2025. Always use the YYMMDD (Year-Month-Day) format. You may also use YYYYMMDD, the four-digit year international standard, which sorts correctly.

🔵 T= Track

Include a version number for files that evolve over time. Here is the second version of this file:

LOGO_horizontal_250225_v2.ai

Always use version numbers, never “final” (is anything ever final?). Don’t worry if your version numbers climb to double digits. (I once had a book layout design file that evolved to version numbers above 50!)

Putting it all together

The FAST system turns confusing filenames into clear signposts to your content.

Here’s how these elements work together to make finding files effortless:

PHOTO_beachheadshot_250225_v2.jpg
PRES_abcconsultingpitch_250225_v4.pdf
SOCIAL_LIsalestipscarousel_250225_v3.png

A Note About Templates: While templates get their own prefix (TEMPLATE_), you might wonder where they should live. It’s best practice to keep templates in a dedicated Templates folder. This creates a clear “source of truth.”

This Week’s Build: Get Off to a FAST Start

Ready to transform your file chaos? Here’s your 15-minute action plan to get you started:

1️⃣ Choose One Category
​— Choose either logos, social media, or templates
​— Gather these files in one folder

2️⃣ Apply FAST Names​
​— Rename files using our framework
​— Delete obvious duplicates
​— Note the current version

3️⃣ Create Your Guide
​— Document your chosen prefixes
​— Save as "STYLE_nameguide_250225_v1.pdf"

Pro tip: Start by using this system to name new files and gradually rename old ones. Don't try to rename your entire archive at once!

Your Next Steps

✅ Use FAST naming for all new files
✅ Gradually rename existing assets
✅ Share your system with assistants and/or contractors

To manage a growing number of files, you may need to create subfolders (e.g., by year or project)

This week’s SOLO Insight: Good systems multiply good work.​
When your file naming system works, everything works better. Each organized file becomes a building block for faster creation, smoother collaboration, and stronger business growth.

Get started now! Pick a file and rename it using the FAST system. Name it FAST to find it fast.

💎 Fresh Finds for Creative Minds

Here are three gems this week from around the Web for all types of visual thinkers and solopreneurs:

👥 Think you know your audience? Think again​​
​SparkToro’s marketing VP Amanda Natividad's Complete Guide to Audience Research for Marketers in 2025 reveals 12 research methods most solopreneurs miss. Think you know the difference between audience and market research? You probably don’t — and this article sets you straight.

💡 Beyond pretty: Make posts that stick​
​Josh Spector’s field-tested tactics on social media formatting reveal why even your well-designed posts might be failing to engage. His three counterintuitive rules (including why links actually hurt your reach) will transform how your posts perform. Perfect for solopreneurs who want their content to stand out instead of getting lost in the scroll.

📱 That sneaky toggle on your iPhone​
Your basic iPhone calculator has a secret: tap the calculator icon at the bottom left, then slide the tiny button to reveal a powerful conversion app for currency, temperature, speed, weight, and more. Who knew that the humble calculator app was hiding such a useful feature?

⭐️ Have an item I should share in this section? Don’t keep it a secret. Email me with your find!

SOLO Quick Bits

🔵 Content Velocity™ Course Coming in March ​
Create months of quality content in just 5 days using AI assistance. Join the waitlist for early access and special pricing.

🔵 Women Solopreneurs Coworking
Women, join us on Zoom each Tuesday for 50 minutes of focused work and optional networking afterward. It's free, friendly, and effective. Click here for details.

🔵 Need a Business Thinking Partner?
I have one coaching spot available for a creative solopreneur. Let’s explore if we’re a fit. Send me an email and we can schedule a chat.

🔵 Like Reading SOLO? Share why!​
Share your SOLO experience and promote your business. Quick feedback form here.

OK, that's a wrap for this issue.
​
Did you miss our first few issues of Visual Assembly? You can check out past issues in the SOLO Newsletter archive.

Know someone who wants to know more about using visuals to communicate and stand out? Share this newsletter with another solopreneur!

And if you received this issue from a friend, I invite you to subscribe.

Thanks again for being a SOLO reader and coming along on this adventure!​

Until next week,