Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
What is the best file structure (or project folder setup) for video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro (or any other software)? I have a setup that I’ve followed for many years and it all comes down to 4 simple folders.
The inspiration came from a combination of resources, but particularly the “PARA-method” by Tiago Forte and the book “Getting Things Done” by David Allen.
The “PARA-method” stands for “Projects”, “Areas”, “Resources”, “Archive” and that is the top folder structure for my external harddrive, but my “video project folder” is slightly different.
It also consists of four folders but the folder names are “Footage”, “Projects”, “Assets”, and “Export”. The purpose of the numbers in the beginning are just to keep the folders in the right order and you will soon understand why.
You start by placing your footage in the top folder (and that is new footage for that specific project), your project files goes into the second folder (like the video project but also the thumbnail document), your recurring assets are placed in the third one (like sound effects, graphics, still images etc) and finally, in the fourth folder, you place the final exported video, the finished script file and the thumbnail.
This way, you work your way down, from the top to the bottom, and you can keep organizing your files as much as you want by creating new subfolders but your four main folders are always the same.
By organizing your project this way, you won’t mix up your exports with your footage and when you want to create a new project, you can just copy the whole project folder and empty folder 1 and 4 to keep your project files and your assets from the previous project.
I hope this was helpful, let me know in the comment section below if you want this explained in more detail and subscribe for more time-saving tutorials like this.
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🧠 Learn more about Adobe Premiere Pro:
youtube.com/watch?v=ExOzQ6uCso0&list=PLgJlbAYg0mEkXrbeSUcXFU8ax-y-21Ndb
🧠 Learn more about Adobe After Effects:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgJlbAYg0mEnZDvh9LUAz-t0rAjCgH8IQ
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DISCLAIMER: This video and description might contain affiliate links, meaning if you click any of the product links, I'll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue making videos like this. Thank You for your support! 🙏
(All links are my genuine recommendations.)
#FolderStructure #PremierePro #Tutorials #HowTo
What is the best file structure (or project folder setup) for video editing in Adobe Premiere Pro (or any other software)? I have a setup that I’ve followed for many years and it all comes down to 4 simple folders.
The inspiration came from a combination of resources, but particularly the “PARA-method” by Tiago Forte and the book “Getting Things Done” by David Allen.
The “PARA-method” stands for “Projects”, “Areas”, “Resources”, “Archive” and that is the top folder structure for my external harddrive, but my “video project folder” is slightly different.
It also consists of four folders but the folder names are “Footage”, “Projects”, “Assets”, and “Export”. The purpose of the numbers in the beginning are just to keep the folders in the right order and you will soon understand why.
You start by placing your footage in the top folder (and that is new footage for that specific project), your project files goes into the second folder (like the video project but also the thumbnail document), your recurring assets are placed in the third one (like sound effects, graphics, still images etc) and finally, in the fourth folder, you place the final exported video, the finished script file and the thumbnail.
This way, you work your way down, from the top to the bottom, and you can keep organizing your files as much as you want by creating new subfolders but your four main folders are always the same.
By organizing your project this way, you won’t mix up your exports with your footage and when you want to create a new project, you can just copy the whole project folder and empty folder 1 and 4 to keep your project files and your assets from the previous project.
I hope this was helpful, let me know in the comment section below if you want this explained in more detail and subscribe for more time-saving tutorials like this.
**********
EXCLUSIVE RESOURCES FOR VIDEO CREATORS:
🎞 FREE (and paid) digital products for video creators:
davidlindgren89.gumroad.com
🎁 FREE browser extension for YouTube Growth:
tubebuddy.com/davidlindgren1989&x=homepage
🎵 2 extra months of music library "Artlist" for FREE:
artlist.io/David-121249
🧠 Learn more about Adobe Premiere Pro:
youtube.com/watch?v=ExOzQ6uCso0&list=PLgJlbAYg0mEkXrbeSUcXFU8ax-y-21Ndb
🧠 Learn more about Adobe After Effects:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgJlbAYg0mEnZDvh9LUAz-t0rAjCgH8IQ
**********
📲 CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
► youtube.com/davidlindgren89
► facebook.com/davidlindgren89
► instagram.com/davidlindgren89
► twitter.com/davidlindgren89
► medium.com/@davidlindgren89
**********
DISCLAIMER: This video and description might contain affiliate links, meaning if you click any of the product links, I'll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue making videos like this. Thank You for your support! 🙏
(All links are my genuine recommendations.)
#FolderStructure #PremierePro #Tutorials #HowTo
