The Top Microsoft 365 Tricks for Singapore Designers and Creatives

Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based subscription service that provides users with access to the latest versions of Microsoft Office applications, as well as other services such as Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive for Business, and Skype for Business. 

It’s easy-to-use software that helps anyone with a visual flair create stunning graphics and websites faster with the support of tutorials, templates, and other helpful tools.

So, how can Microsoft 365 benefit content creators & creative designers? Microsoft 365 provides several benefits to web designers and graphic creators, including:

1. Create an Online Portfolio to Showcase Your Work

A portfolio is a great way for content creators and creative designers to showcase their work. It allows potential employers to view their output and track the content they’ve created in an organized manner.

By using Microsoft Power Apps and Microsoft Publisher, they can create a visually appealing online portfolio.

You can use these tools to showcase your work and highlight your skills and experience, making it easier to attract potential clients or employers.

a# Microsoft Power Apps

Microsoft Power Apps is a low-code application development platform that allows you to create custom business applications without needing to write code.

You can use Power Apps to create an online portfolio by creating a custom app that includes images, descriptions, and other details about your work. 

You can use templates or create your own design to create a visually appealing app that showcases your skills and experience. You can then publish the app to a web browser or mobile device and share it with potential clients or employers.

b# Microsoft Publisher

Microsoft Publisher is desktop publishing software that allows you to create various types of marketing materials, such as brochures, flyers, and business cards.

You can use Publisher to create an online portfolio by designing a custom brochure or booklet that includes images and descriptions of your work. 

You can also customize the layout, fonts, and colors to create a visually appealing portfolio that highlights your skills and experience. Lastly, you can then save the document as a PDF or other file format and upload it to your website or share it with potential clients or employers.

2. Create an Effective Project Pitch Deck

As a content creator or creative designer, the success of your project pitch and planning will often depend on how effectively you present your ideas to potential clients. 

To make the most of your presentation and be successful in getting the project approved, using pitch deck software such as Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides is essential to having an engaging presentation that leaves a lasting impression. 

a# Microsoft PowerPoint

Using templates makes it easy to make consistent visuals for a presentation, which is important for making a good pitch deck.

Microsoft PowerPoint alone offers a range of templates to choose from, which can be used to make sure the presentation looks uniform and professional.

Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to create a project pitch presentation that outlines your proposal and showcases your plans. You can include images and diagrams to help illustrate your points and use animations and transitions to make the presentation more engaging. 

Moreover, you can use PowerPoint to create a timeline or roadmap that outlines the project schedule. 

b# Microsoft Excel

To simplify the information presented in a pitch deck filled with data and numbers, incorporate charts and tables from Microsoft Excel, such as bar graphs, pie charts, and tables that allow you to organize and analyze data.

These elements make it easier for viewers to compare numbers from different time periods and categories, and labeling everything ensures clarity for potential clients.

You can use formulas and charts to help analyze the data and identify potential issues or bottlenecks. You can also use Excel to track project expenses and create a budget.

3. Organize and Store Files

As a content creator, organizing and storing files can be a daunting task. With many files to manage, finding the right file at the right time can be a challenge. This is where Microsoft OneDrive and Microsoft SharePoint can help. 

a# Microsoft OneDrive

OneDrive allows content creators to store their files in a secure cloud-based platform, making it easy to access their files from anywhere, on any device.

You can use OneDrive to organize your files into folders and subfolders and collaborate on files with others in real-time, making it easier to work on projects with a team.

With OneDrive, you get to enjoy a seamless user experience for all your documents, whether they’re on the web, mobile, or desktop. Plus, it’s compatible with both Windows PCs and Mac devices.

b# Microsoft SharePoint

SharePoint, on the other hand, enables content creators to collaborate with their team members and share files in a centralized location. It provides a platform to create team sites, document libraries, and task lists, making it easier to keep track of projects and tasks. 

You can organize files into folders and subfolders, assign tasks to team members, and track project progress.

You can also use SharePoint to build a knowledge base with resources and information that is easy for team members to access.

4. Communicate with a Remote Team

Remote communication between creative designers and their team members can be challenging due to geographical distance, time differences, language barriers, and other factors. 

a# Microsoft Teams

By using video conferencing applications like Microsoft Teams, you can enjoy a chat feature that allows team members to communicate in real-time, making it ideal for quick questions or discussions that don’t require a full meeting.

With high-quality video conferencing capabilities, scheduling meetings, inviting team members, and collaborating in real-time become easy. 

Teams also provides tools for managing projects and tasks, allowing team members to create a team workspace, assign tasks, and track progress in real-time.

5. Time Management and Task Scheduling

To be a content creator and creative designer, you need to be able to get things done quickly and efficiently. Microsoft 365 offers a robust set of tools, such as Microsoft Calendar, to help them manage their tasks and stay on top of their work.

With Microsoft Calendar, you can schedule appointments, meetings, and reminders, all while they seamlessly sync across devices to ensure you never miss an important event. 

Plus, sharing your calendar with team members can help everyone stay on the same page and avoid scheduling conflicts.

Graphic designers can benefit from Microsoft Calendar’s features by using it to prioritize tasks and create social media content calendars.

Users can easily share their calendar with team members to ensure everyone is on the same page and can view and edit their schedule from any device, anywhere.

By keeping track of upcoming posts, campaigns, and events, content creators can also ensure they stay on top of their work and meet their deadlines.

Furthermore, Microsoft Calendar can be synced with other Microsoft 365 tools, such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive, to provide a seamless experience. 

6. File Security and Privacy

Microsoft 365 is designed with security and privacy in mind, providing advanced security features such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, and data loss prevention.

This is important for designers who may be working with sensitive client information.

One of the primary features is data encryption, which ensures that your files are protected from unauthorized access both while in transit and at rest. 

Additionally, Microsoft 365 provides multi-factor authentication, which requires users to provide two or more forms of identification to access files and applications. This helps prevent unauthorized access, even if a user’s password is compromised. 

Also, it offers advanced threat protection, which helps identify and prevent cyber attacks, including phishing and malware attacks. 

Lastly, it also includes features that enable you to manage access to your files and applications, set up alerts for suspicious activity, and monitor user activity to identify potential security risks. 

Final Takeaways 

Microsoft 365 provides a comprehensive solution for content creators and designers who need an all-in-one package for their workflow.  

With their Business Standard plans, content creators can enhance their ability to create high-quality content in a shorter amount of time.

One of the best things about Microsoft 365 is that it has advanced security features, ensuring the safety and privacy of your data. This means that you can rest assured that your work is secure and protected at all times.

Overall, Microsoft 365 provides an all-in-one solution for content creators and creative designers, allowing them to create stunning graphics and websites, organize and store files, collaborate remotely, and manage their time and tasks efficiently.