Desk space and design kit

A quick look at some of the kit I use and recommend.

I’ve worked from home since 2005. The home’s changed six or seven times — one reason why a minimal approach is helpful — but there’s some standard gear that sticks around, and I definitely find it easier to focus when the desk isn’t cluttered.

BenQ PD3200u

BenQ PD3200u

For years I used a 27″ iMac as my main screen, but the glare off the glass wasn’t great, and I’d always be increasing/decreasing the screen brightness depending on how sunny it was. The matt display of BenQ’s 32″ 4K monitor gets rid of that problem. It’s a lot easier on the eyes (not quite looks-wise, but absolutely with eye strain), and gives more screen space to work with, too. The only let-down is the internal speakers. I don’t use them because sound quality’s bad in comparison to both my old iMac and the new MacBook Pro. I still prefer working on it, though.

Buy from Amazon.

Bose Soundlink Mini

Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth speaker

Rather than listen through the MacBook speakers that sit to one side of the BenQ, I set a Bluetooth speaker on the monitor base. The sound’s amazing for the size (although the SoundLink Mini is being replaced by the SoundLink Revolve which is much taller).

Buy from Amazon (if available).

Hitachi external hard drive

Hitachi external hard drive

I’ve never had a hard drive fail, or needed computer repairs, but I’ll regularly backup files as these things obviously happen. There’ll be better backup gear available, and this Hitachi SimpleDRIVE isn’t actually on sale anymore, so I might pick up a Time Capsule for wireless auto-backups. I see Apple sell refurbished ones at nearly half price.

MacBook Pro 2017

MacBook Pro

My old iMac got slower and a bit noisier, and I wasn’t sure whether to buy the newest version, or switch to a MacBook and external monitor. A couple of things swayed me — a dislike of the iMac’s glass screen, and the option to take my work elsewhere on the laptop. The MacBook is impressively fast and very quiet. I keep my iMac as a backup.

Buy from Amazon.

MacBook Pro cables

USB-C to DisplayPort cable

This connects the MacBook to the BenQ without the need for an adapter. I mainly use three of the four available USB ports — for power, for my desk mic, for the monitor connection.

Buy from Amazon.

USB adapters

USB-C to USB-A adapters

As soon as I get a mini-USB to micro-USB cable I’ll do away with the adapters. I use them for my external hard drive, mic, and transferring photos from my Nikon.

Buy from Amazon.

Griffin Elevator stand

Griffin Elevator stand

It puts the laptop at nicer height whenever its open (if I want more screen space). It probably keeps the laptop a bit cooler, too. I know others who prefer a vertical docking station to save desk space, but I like the option of using the screen.

Buy from Amazon.

Blue Yeti microphone

Blue Yeti microphone

A lot of my client calls are through Skype (sometimes Hangouts or FaceTime), and while the mic on the MacBook is decent, it’s not as good as this. There’s still a bit of echo to my voice because of the flat surfaces around the room, but I’ve ordered an isolation shield that gets good reviews and hopefully helps.

Buy from Amazon.

Bose headphones

Bose TP-1A headphones

Using headphones on Skype calls means people don’t hear themselves through my speaker. I tend to use these around-the-ear ones for comfort and sound quality, but if I’m on a video call I usually plug in some in-ear headphones as it looks a bit better. My pair are nearly 10 years old, and the ear pads cracked and flaked, but these replacement pads made them like new.

Buy from Amazon (recent equivalent).

Magic Trackpad 2

Magic Trackpad 2

I’ll use my left hand to pinch and swipe the Trackpad a few times through the day, to open apps or when skipping through web pages. I tried it for about a week as a mouse substitute, thinking it might help with work, but a week was enough as I found it a bit restrictive. Maybe I’m just that used to the mouse.

Buy from Amazon.

Magic keyboard

Magic Keyboard

I used a wired keyboard with my old iMac because the previous wireless version needed three AA batteries and too much charging. The battery life on this one is much better — always on, mine lasts at least a couple of months — and can be charged during use with a Lightning cable. The keys are noisier than the old keyboard which is a shame, but it’s still good, with a reliable Bluetooth connection, and I’d always go with the numeric keypad.

Buy from Amazon.

Magic Mouse 1

Magic Mouse 1

Mine’s from 2010 and needs two AA batteries. The Magic Mouse 2 charges with a Lightning cable, but inconveniently has it’s charging port on the underside rather than the front, making it unusable when plugged in. Hardly ideal. I have a few rechargeable AA batteries so I’m happy with what I’ve got.

Buy from Amazon (Magic Mouse 2).

Fellowes keyboard wrist support

Fellowes wrist support

Fellowes wrist supports and mouse mat

All about the comfort, and these gel wrist supports do the trick. The Magic Mouse doesn’t work on glass, so the mouse mat was necessary without the comfort factor. I’ve read reviews about the gel leaking after a few weeks, but no problems here after a couple of years.

Buy from Amazon (wrist support, keyboard wrist rest, mouse mat).

Steelcase Gesture

Steelcase Gesture task chair

Definitely not the cheapest, but it’s worth spending more on something that gets so much use. Easily the most comfortable work chair I’ve had — good back support, nice fabric, and with adjustable arms, height, recline, and seat depth. The frame of the first Gesture I was sent was scuffed, with dirt on the fabric, making me wonder if it was second hand, but I got it replaced within a couple of weeks.

Buy from Amazon.

Pilot V5 pen

Pilot V5 pens, 0.5mm tip

The 12-pack I picked up a couple of years ago is still going strong. They’re pretty much the only pens I use, for sketching or writing. Constant line width. No blobs.

Buy from Amazon.

Notebook

Sketchbook

Last but not least, there’s always a sketchbook on the desk. I’ve not stuck to the same type like Michael Bierut, but I like that idea. My current one’s a Tim Tu creation, his SketchyNotebook. It got backing of more than $60k on Kickstarter, but doesn’t yet seem on general sale. A large Moleskine is the same size so I’ll probably go with it next.

Buy from Amazon (Moleskine).

I hope that’s been of some help.


Comments

15 responses to “Desk space and design kit”

  1. Very nice work space there. I wish I had one. I usually sit at the living room table. I use an ASUS K45DR laptop with a fan docker, a Logitech B100 mouse plus a standard mouse mat, and Samsung earphones. No seat, I go with the floor as the table is low. Paper notes varies by size as I sketch and/or write wherever and whenever I have the chance and inspiration. Whenever I am done, stuff gets cleaned away as the table will be used again for another purpose. Paper notes go to trash or get kept if still in use. I will be very grateful to have a workspace even if its the simplest.

  2. No Wacom tablet?

    1. Well, the answer is no. It’s from Pencil to PDF, tablet skipped, right David?

      1. That’s right, Adam. I’ve not used one for long enough to feel like it’d really help. I could be wrong.

  3. Awesome work space, I love clean and minimal!

  4. Would you consider working/designing on your feet with a higher desk?
    As a graphic designer I find being sat the whole day bad. Bad also for imagination.
    What about the color of the room. The dominant color seems to be white. What brings you this color during your creative process. I really dislike “white” places, as being unfit for “my” creativity.

    PS: really nice devices you have.

  5. You’ll get there, Ardi. Stick with it. I started in the corner of my bedroom in a shared flat, with a small table and foldaway chair.

    Recommended, Matthew?

    The chair’s easy to sit in, Phiyl. I’ve not tried a standing desk, but I’m away from mine a lot. One wall’s cyan. I do like white behind the screen, though.

    Cheers Marty. Loving your abstract work, by the way. Anywhere I can listen to your ambient tracks?

  6. Hi David, great stuff, like always. This working space is an amplified version of mine, which is MacBook only. It makes my next upgrade much easier. I already have the USB in cart. 🙂
    Thanks for sharing!

  7. Enjoyed reading about the nuts and bolts that bind you and hold you up David. I am interested in the chair, but suffered from extreme sticker shock when I checked the price. I will talk to you in detail about it.

    I suggest that you add a “like widget” [https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-like-button/] so that you know we read/liked your article, via the likes.

    1. Hi Lak, my last chair cost something like £150 from IKEA, and I had it for six or seven years. Decent, but didn’t compare. If I’m sitting in it everyday for that length of time I‘m happy to pay for comfort.

      1. When I checked, I saw an additional zero in the cost hence the sticker shock. $150 IS a DECENT price.

        1. The Gesture was £600 or so. My last chair was the cheaper one, but wasn’t great.

  8. Jeffrey Williamson Avatar
    Jeffrey Williamson

    Thanks David. What about the cool desk, who made that?

  9. Hi David.

    Could you share the information about the delicate desk and chairs as well? That chair is our of stock I’m afraid.

    Thanks

  10. Hi Jeffrey, Adam, the desk’s from IKEA, maybe five or six years old. I’m pretty sure it’s no longer stocked. I bought the chair from a furniture company in Belfast who have the national licence for Steelcase gear. There’s a link on the Steelcase website to find the closest dealer.

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