I have a lot of creative workflows to keep track of, but most of them just end up being a mess, and I noticed how this prolonged the time it takes to complete something. That's when it clicked - why not combine my favorite productivity app with one of my most-used graphic apps?

Krita doesn't have built-in project management tools, but Notion is a highly adaptable powerhouse, and it ended up working perfectly alongside Krita. However, this process is applicable to any creative app.

I started by creating a Krita-specific dashboard

And added the relevant databases

There are no native integrations for Krita in Notion, but that's perfectly fine. You don't need your creative app to "talk" to your notes app. All I needed was a space that mirrors how I work in Krita and helps me keep track of everything. So I started by creating a dashboard just for Krita. You can create a dashboard tailored to any design tool you use.

For me, it was important to have an overview of my projects, specific settings, assets, etc. I did this by simply using Notion databases in my dashboard — this keeps it simple, and I don't have to worry about creating an aesthetic board.

Here are the things I included in my dashboard to best keep track of everything:

• A table view for upcoming projects - This one is self-explanatory; a simple overview of all the projects I intend to complete on Krita.
• A gallery view of projects - Just so I can insert a visual of my projects.
• Another table view for assets - This is where I'll store references to my local files as well as online resources or assets that I plan on using in my Krita illustrations.
• A couple of lists - A quick place to store random information, such as links to design inspiration or brush settings to remember.

The idea isn't to create something elaborate. It's more like creating a home base where everything Krita-related is laid out clearly. If you're doing the same for Krita or another creative software, I recommend keeping it simple, like this. Think about how you use that tool in sections, from ideation to export, and create a block of information for every section of your workflow (whether a database or something else).

Then I customized my databases

Filling them out to align with my Krita workflow

The next step was to start filling out and customizing the databases I just created to align them with how I work in Krita. For me, it started with adding project table entries. The only properties I need for this table are name, due date, and priority. And for every database entry, I add whatever pertains to that specific project - this ranges from its location on my PC, reminders of images I want to use for that project, task checklists for design elements, and links to online assets or inspiration.

The gallery view is basically the same as my project table, just with a visual aspect. Every page represents a project, and the only things I add are a screenshot of that project with the link to its corresponding page in my table view. As a visual thinker, it's very useful for me to remember what a project looks like when I read its name, and adding its page link takes me straight to all the information I added in the previous step.

For my assets table, every page opens a collection of assets that I use in Krita, and they're grouped by type, such as gradients, royalty-free images, etc. For example, here on my dashboard, you'll see the "free gradients" page open up to the locations of gradients stored locally on my PC, as well as URLs that will take me to gradients I can download from places like Unsplash. Another thing I added to my assets table was a Select property to help indicate which pages I use the most, and put them in descending order.

The last thing I filled out was the list. For any project, I like to have a space for random items that don't quite fit anywhere else — like a junk drawer. This is where random links to online and local assets live, as well as ideas, file references I don't want to forget about, and so on.

Now I can launch Krita with everything ready

The entire process is already laid out for me

Now that my projects and assets are laid out in front of me, I can get started in Krita with a clear workflow. I can see the project in my gallery view and find the corresponding name in my table view to see when it's due. Opening the page takes me to all the information I need. Here, I wanted to use a specific gradient as the background to my design, and I also wanted to follow a checklist as I'm working to ensure I include everything in the design. If there are any assets or settings I want to explore, all of them are right in my assets database — no need to dig anywhere else.

A clean split between thinking and creating

This process isn't about forcing a system but having a lightweight structure that enhances how I already work. Notion handles the planning and tracking, which makes opening Krita much less daunting. It's simple, flexible, and easy to stick with.