Hi there! I’m Gary Payne, a graphic designer at KMK Media, where I get to turn creative ideas into reality every day. Curious about what a typical day looks like for me? Here’s a glimpse into my routine—a mix of design work, classic TV, and spending quality time with my wife, Stacy, and our dog, Wishbone.
Morning Rituals: A Balanced Start
5:30 a.m. - I’m up early to get ready for the day, making sure I leave enough bathroom time for Stacy to prepare for hers too (a key to a happy marriage!). After that, I let Wishbone out and get busy in the kitchen, making breakfast and packing my lunch.
6:00 a.m. - I settle in front of the TV for some downtime, catching an episode of The Andy Griffith Show or Chain Reaction on the Game Show Network. Wishbone, of course, is right by my side until Stacy comes downstairs and gives her some Cheerios—a morning snack she loves.
7:00 a.m. - I head out for work, enjoying the half-hour commute when traffic’s light.
7:35 a.m. - I’m at the office, ready to start the day. I put my lunch away, grab my Diet Mt. Dew (my caffeine of choice), and set up my workspace. The first thing I do is check my email and send out any files that need to go to clients.
From there, it’s all about design. My mornings are typically filled with creating everything from billboards and banners to business cards, flyers, or web designs. The variety keeps things interesting. On Tuesdays, my morning is a bit shorter because we have our weekly project meeting. It’s a great time for the team to share updates, discuss priorities, and plan for upcoming deadlines.
12:30 p.m. - I take a quick half-hour lunch break, then get right back to work. My afternoons are spent continuing where I left off, tackling projects and working to meet client expectations until the end of the workday.
5:00 p.m. - I log my hours for each project and head home to wrap up the day. Once I’m home, I jump into dinner prep, and after we eat, Stacy and I clean up the dishes together. Wishbone gets her evening walk next, which is a nice way to unwind after a busy day.
Our evenings are for relaxing—we watch “our shows” together, and at 8:30 p.m., Wishbone gives me her signature stare, letting me know it’s time for her nightly “Greenie” treat. At 9:30 p.m., I take her out for “last call” before putting her to bed. Stacy likes to relax with some videos on her phone while I use the quiet time to check social media, catch up on LinkedIn, or pay bills.
10:45 p.m. - I’m ready to call it a night and recharge for the next day.
My days are a balance of creativity, family, and routine, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love the variety in my work and the opportunity to bring ideas to life for KMK’s clients. And when the workday’s done, there’s nothing better than spending time with Stacy and Wishbone, enjoying the simple moments that make life great.
Thanks for taking a peek into my day—now it’s time to grab a Diet Mt. Dew and get designing!