Freelance designers have been working remotely for years before the COVID-19 pandemic but now it's become a perk for all workers. Unfortunately, it has not a guaranteed benefit and many employers are often wary to offer it as they think workers are slacking and can't be easily monitored. Here are some tips to not only succeed but thrive as a remote designer working at a company.

Check-in regularly throughout the day

If you don't have a standup or team meeting in the morning, let your manager know what you are working on as soon as you log in. Give regular updates on your progress throughout the day, even if your work is not ready. This can give them an idea if your work is going in the right direction and they will appreciate your initiative. At the end of the day, you can let them know what you accomplished and what you hope to finish tomorrow. This can be done passively via chat/email. You probably don't need to follow this formula everyday but having a regular check-in schedule - whichever works for you - will make it easier for your manager to not have to follow your every move.

Schedule meetings to socialize

Since you are not sitting next to your colleagues, there are no organic moments to socialize. You'll need make them. Schedule regular company happy hours, 1:1s with colleagues, and reach out to others to talk about anything - work, jokes, interesting new TV shows, etc. Most people appreciate getting a message from someone or decompressing with a chat. Without these crafted opportunities to socialize, it is easy to start to become lonely and distance from your job. These moments will help keep your relationships strong and connected to the company.

Raise a hand if there is an issue immediately

With the lack of transparency that remote work can give, any issues that can arise need to be put out in the open quickly. This gives others time to help you or address a problem before it gets too close to the end of the day. Just because you work from home doesn't mean that people don't want to end the workday on time.

Build trust to gain freedom

The more consistent, reliable, and productive you are as a remote worker, the less monitoring your employer will need to do on you. You will be trusted to leave for doctor's appointments, take regular breaks, ask for an extension, or given a raise. Most employers just want everything to work well and if you able to not be a problem, you will do great. You will be able to enjoy all the benefits of working from home - no commute, do chores during the day, be a more flexible parent, etc. - without the stress of your employer watching your every move. If you can succeed at the new future of work, you will be able to thrive in your career as a remote designer.