The demand for talented graphic designers, illustrators & other producers in the creative industry is at an all-time high. In most cases, these professionals are expected to stay within strict deadlines while working remotely or from the comfort of their homes. The first hurdle you must overcome to compete in such an industry is getting enough practice.
According to Malcolm Gladwell, the key to mastering any craft involves practicing for 10,000 to 30,000 hours. Of course, there’s some debate and controversy over this radical idea. But, it still gives credence to the value of discipline, dedication, and determination in becoming better at what you do. If you've run the miles and put the work into becoming the best graphic designer or producer, then you understand that each day brings on a new challenge.
Working from home can alleviate some of the pressure but introduce some new hurdles. There's a constant barrage of correspondences from clients and other collaborators. You may need to learn the delicate art of multi-tasking through various projects. There are too many brief guidelines and so much feedback, editing, and revising those edits in an endless cycle. Time waits for no man! You’ll have to contend with deadlines as well. Lest we forget the distractions.
Do you suddenly feel like the walls are closing in on you? We've got some workstation and designer desk setup tips. These simple ideas will support your creative workflow and maximize your productivity, whether working in an office or from home.
A Natural Lit Workspace
It's wise to set up your work desk in a manner that eases access to your hardware and other supportive tools. But, all this stuff can go to waste if you set up your workspace in an area that doesn't encourage you to work on projects for hours on end. So, take a look at your office, home, or apartment before buckling down.
Natural light can have a therapeutic effect on your workflow. You're blessed if you have large bay windows in your home. So why not flood your home office in the luxury of daylight? Natural light expands your sense of space. It can help you feel less confined by your tools and busy work schedule. That's a no-brainer. If you walk into a store or an office with loads of natural light, you feel more inclined to spend more time in there. The reverse would make you feel like you're in a prison cell, and escape is all you'll crave.
Benefits
Long periods of exposure to natural light during your workday improve the sleep quality you get every night. This leads to more focus, productivity, and overall job satisfaction. Loads of sunlight on your workstation can also improve your mood, which leads to better health and a lower burnout rate. It also reduces drowsiness as you secrete less melatonin, a hormone that's secreted at night to slow down your body so that you are able to sleep. Natural light also reduces crankiness, eyestrain, and the prevalence of headaches.
What If There’s Too Much Natural Light?
As a designer or producer, your work involves working with accurate color swatches. A dimly lit workstation can help you perceive the right screen color values on design software. Shutters, curtains, or blinds can help you reduce the glare, especially in those bright summer months.
Night-Time Lighting
It may also be wise to invest in some LED lamps with dimmers so you can settle on lighting that suits your mood.
Ergonomic Home/Office Furniture
Ergonomic Chair with Lumbar Support
Graphic designers and producers have various job descriptions within an organization. But, one of them plays out the same for all creatives. Their jobs involve sitting with their eyes glued to a computer screen for hours every day. This can have punitive consequences on your back. So it may be prudent for you to invest in a highly adjustable ergonomic chair with lumbar support.
This kind of move ensures that you work while seated in the proper posture for peak performance. The Soutien Ergonomic Office Chair from Flexispot has a 3D lumbar support system that features a 1350 lounge tilt. In addition, this mesh ergonomic office chair has three height adjustment levels backed by a gentle rebound system. Such features allow this ergonomic chair's backrest to ergonomically conform to your spine and neck for maximum headrest and lumbar support.
Your arms and shoulders also get tired after working for 6 to 8 hours, uninterrupted, on a project. Fortunately, the Soutien Ergonomic Office Chair has a feature to relieve most of this strain. It comes in the shape of a cushioned 4D armrest, which contours to your arms and elbows, taking a ton of pressure off your shoulders.
The Soutien Ergonomic Office Chair features a breathable fleece mesh. This flexible and durable material consists of an Italian-imported chenille and K+R temperature-sensitive fiber. It offers loads of ventilation that helps protect your clothes' delicate fibers, especially on days when your deadlines stress translates to buckets of sweat.
Adjustable Standing Desk
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a common issue plaguing professionals who sit in front of computers for hours. It's caused by assuming the same sitting posture or slumping over a desk over an extended period. The major problem is it takes a while for the symptoms to show. But, the good news is you can overcome it by getting up once in a while.
An adjustable standing desk can help you avoid RSI. You can continue working even while on your feet when you have this marvelous piece of furniture at your disposal. Flexispot's Adjustable Standing Desk Pro Series packs so many features that enhance your health and wellness. It's electric, so you don't have to bend or fiddle with manual controls. This sit and stand desk features an energy-efficient LED console display. You can program it to 3 memory heights through an advanced keypad.
Such controls also feature friendly alerts that remind you that you’ve been seated for too long, so you should stand. This electric standing desk has a silent dual-motor lifting system that can handle up to 275 pounds. The aesthetic options are also impressive! It comes with a stylish bamboo desktop with a clear 2H lacquer finish that protects it from the damaging effects of moisture and UV rays.
Flexispot offers additional accessories that can help you reach your fitness and productivity goals from the comfort of your desk. Such accessories include: Under desk bikes, vibration plates, file cabinets, MonitorStand workstations, and much more. You could even order one that has casters, so it's easier for you to move the desk when you're done with your work or have some company.
Additional Computer Screens
There's no such thing as too much screen real-estate where graphic design and digital content production are concerned. Design and editing software interfaces take up your entire screen. So, it may be wise to opt for a dual monitor setup. Studies have found that such a setup can improve your productivity by 30-50%.
It reduces your eye strain, and you don't have to slump over your desk to get a better view of a tiny tab. Graphic designers can also speed up their workflow as they don’t have to toggle through various tabs or interfaces while at work. And, with advancements in graphic card technologies, you can even configure your setup to accommodate 5 screens. This kind of setup gives you a 3600 angle view of your project. The possibilities are infinite!
A Crisp Clear Sound System
If you're a graphic designer, then you know the importance of bumping to some inspiring tunes as you work. They expand your cerebral cortex making you more creative. It's also a great way to kill the monotony of some of the repetitive tasks involved. You can bend raster images and vector handles into submission with ease. A quality pair of noise-canceling headphones are the ultimate double threat in your endeavor. First, they help you filter out all the environmental noise that disrupts your thought process. Second, you can even enter “the zone” when playing the right tunes.
Sound designers, animators, film editors, and other producers may need something more robust. They need to align audio tracks to their work and have a sound system that helps them actualize a stereo spread. So, a stereo audio monitor comes as a necessity for such specialists.
Ready! Set! Go and Make Something Awesome!
However, there's one more thing to consider. All these devices come with miles of cables that can create some unwarranted chaos. So, it may be wise to consider ditching your old wired mouse or cable setup. Fortunately, Bluetooth alternatives come a dime a dozen, but that leaves you with other power cables to consider.
Sometimes, extension cables don’t help to reduce the chaos. So it may be wise to invest in some of the accessories offered with every purchase of the Adjustable Standing Desk Pro Series. Such accessories include a cable spine that neatly collects all your cables so they don't tangle up or end up everywhere. You can also add a Clamp Power Strip with USB to the mix. This handy accessory makes it easier for you to plug or unplug your devices and other electronics. Why not add a desk organizer or a mobile file cabinet while you're at it?
So you've found the best spot to set up your designer workstation. You've invested in the best ergonomic office chair with adequate lumbar support. Throw in a reliable sit-stand desk so you can stretch your back and extremities. And even added a way to bump to some sick beats as you toil away the hours, as well as some neat organization tools.
Now, you have the perfect work environment. So, go out there and make something awesome!
