Why is a workspace important?

A workspace represents you as a person. The things you keep there, how clean it is, etc, can determine how you work. Some people can work fine in a messy workspace, some can't stand it. So, we interviewed some well known designers to see what their workspaces look like, and so they could share their thoughts. Below are the responses we got, in no particular order.

Jacob from Six Revisions

1. What are some basic things you keep around in your workspace?

Besides the obvious (desktop and laptop), I have a ton of pens and my moleskines for jotting down notes and tasks. I also have a steel ruler, which is handy for straight-edged wireframes since I can't draw straight lines too well. I also have books right below my desk within arm's reach for when I need to quickly look up things.

2. How often do you use this workspace?

I use my workspace everyday.

3. Would you consider yourself a neat person?

I'm a conditionally neat person. I keep most things neat and tidy, especially my workspace or else I can't focus. Some of my things though--like my closet--are severely unorganized.

4. What are some things you wish you had in your workspace?

I'm not big on gadgets and gizmos - I like to keep things as simple and minimal as possible. A barebones environment is where I'm most comfortable. I do want to add a high-grade scanner as part of my workspace though, but it's a low priority upgrade for me right now.

5. What do you think is vital in a designer's workspace?

I think it's vital to organize your workspace in a way that promotes your creativity. Whether you keep things ultra organized or super cluttered - if it's an environment where you can produce your best work, then organize (or disorganize) it in that fashion.

David from Tutorial9

1. What are some basic things you keep around in your workspace?

Wouldn't many of us agree that too many toys in the office make it impossible to concentrate? Therefore, it's in our best interests sometimes to keep as little out as possible. The bare essentials for myself include a desk and PC, a whiteboard to keep track of To-Do's, and usually a coffee or snack!

2. How often do you use this workspace?

At the present, my workspace also functions as a dining area and entertainment center. I spend a good amount of time at the desk, while at the same time I'm working on taking more breaks from the office to do other things like reading and learning to cook.

3. Would you consider yourself a neat person?

Getting better! There seems to be a pattern in young people like myself who start working independently early on: we tend to double and triple our living areas as a bedroom, dining area, and work space making it very difficult to keep all of our possessions neat and in order. This has been personally true for myself until only recently when I made the plunge and got a home of my own. Since then, my neatness has greatly improved with the extra space to keep my belongings.

4. What are some things you wish you had in your workspace?

Some people do a really great job at decorating their office with inspiring decorations and artwork. Simple is nice, but some neat art would be really awesome!

5. What do you think is vital in a designer's workspace?

Light. Is it just me, or does anyone else find that they are way more productive and energized when sun light is pouring in?

Jon from Spyre Studios

1. What are some basic things you keep around in your workspace?

Well apart from my Macbook, external monitor, sound system and other usual office furniture, I keep my iPod touch and Nikon D90 there and ready for use.

2. How often do you use this workspace?

Every single day :)

3. Would you consider yourself a neat person?

I'd tend to say yes, but when I'm in a very creative mood and spend many hours on a project, my workspace tends to get a little messy.

4. What are some things you wish you had in your workspace?

Well I have pretty much everything I need but having a tablet would be very nice.

5. What do you think is vital in a designer's workspace?

I would say a great and reliable computer. When you work on projects, especially for clients, you can't afford to worry about computer problems.

Chris from Spoon Graphics

1. What are some basic things you keep around in your workspace?

Every day items that hang around on my desk are calculator, notepad and pen, as well all my computer gear!

2. How often do you use this workspace?

I'm sat here Monday through to Friday from the morning 'til midday, then back again after lunch until 5ish in the evening.

3. Would you consider yourself a neat person?

I'd say I'm fairly neat; theres still plenty of desk space visible, so I'm not one of those who has every inch covered in clutter!

4. What are some things you wish you had in your workspace?

I wouldn't mind upgrading my Wacom tablet to the more sensitive Intuos3 model. I'd also like a new chair, I'm currently using those typical leather office chair types, but something as luxurious as an Aeron chair would be cool.

5. What do you think is vital in a designer's workspace?

Having a large monitor, or dual monitor setup is definitely one important resource. It's so much easier to work when you have a nice vast of screen space to work on.

Chris from CSS Tricks

1. What are some basic things you keep around in your workspace?

I keep a pen and pad, because I like making little lists that I stick to my monitor of things I need to do. Other than that, nothing really. Just a keyboard and mouse and whatever other computer-specific equipment that needs to be near (microphone, printer, etc.). Too much else and it feel cluttered and I get uncomfortable. My workspace is in my bedroom, so clutter is a constant fight.

2. How often do you use this workspace?

Pretty much all day every day. Once in a while I'll take the laptop to a coffee shop or something, but I find it difficult to "work" on my laptop. I can answer email, browse the web, and do some lightweight coding just fine, but I do very little actual design work on the laptop. I like being at my desk, sitting up right, looking at two large nice monitors for real design work.

3. Would you consider yourself a neat person?

On a scale of 1-10, maybe a 7. I keep myself organized. Paperwork filed, everything in it's place, stuff off the floor, etc. But I probably don't dust behind the computer often enough, so I'm not a freak about cleanliness, I just don't like clutter.

4. What are some things you wish you had in your workspace?

I'm jealous of people that work in awesome rooms, like the upstairs of an old grain mill, a converted horse stable, or a church. I like wood. I'd like to work in an upstairs office with a view and lots of exposed wood. And of course crazy fast internet that never failed. As far as "things", the less the better. Just plenty of space. I'm getting more and more of an urge to own a home so I can make these things happen. It's hard to re-do a wall when you rent =).

5. What do you think is vital in a designer's workspace?

Well I think designer's oughta have a pen and pad, just for simple notes and sketches. I don't think a computer always cuts it for those simple tasks. Another generic suggestion would be to attempt to make it distraction-free. As in, having a TV in your office may not be a good idea if you're attention might be jeopardized by it. But I'm not one to tell people how to live their life or do their jobs, do what you gotta do.

Jan from Dawghouse Design Studio

1. What are some basic things you keep around in your workspace?

A doodle pad, a pencil and some post its. I'm also a TV person and the TV just has to be on all the time. I recently purchased a wide LCD TV but I have a small room so I had to put it somewhere in the back and you can't see it in the picture :)

2. How often do you use this workspace?

Almost every day. I try to stay away from it on weekends but sometimes, it's inevitable.

3. Would you consider yourself a neat person?

I'm a bit messy at times but I always try not to have all my junk piled up and keep everything organized. I always clean up right after I've made a mess and make sure I don't leave it until the next day.

4. What are some things you wish you had in your workspace?

The new iMac, a faster running PC and a Wacom tablet. A bigger table with a more comfortable office chair would also be great.

5. What do you think is vital in a designer's workspace?

Although I believe that a good designer doesn't need fancy equipment to come up with a great design, investing in the right equipment will definitely make you work efficiently. A fast computer with a nice and wide monitor would be a great start. It's also essential to have an environment that is comfortable and inspiring. Mine still requires a lot of work but I'm hoping to invest on a better one some time in the future.

Mark from Foxtie

1. What are some basic things you keep around in your workspace?

You can always find a freshly brewed press of coffee or tea on a desk somewhere in our office - I guess you could say we're all caffeine addicts! We use Behance Action Books in the office and during client meetings and I love the fact that they come in Foxtie colors. We use custom built PC's and 27" iMacs in the office and personally I can't make up my mind on which I prefer. Our office pet and break time buddy, Foster, can be seen herding plush ducks around the workplace. Our walls are decorated with movie posters - specifically movies like Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction - because the style of Tarantino's movies reflect on our outlook towards graphic design: innovative techniques, good storytelling, and memorable uniqueness. We also keep a handy fridge nearby with snacks and drinks for energy.

2. How often do you use this workspace?

We work here every weekday from 9-5 and occasionally venture out on excursions to coffee shops or the park to work from our laptops for a day. I feel it helps our creative process to be mobile and change our environment every once in a while.

3. Would you consider yourself a neat person?

I would consider myself a messy person that struggles to be neat! While I hate making them, messes are usually an inevitable result of creating amazing things.

4. What are some things you wish you had in your workspace?

A Wacom Cintiq would sure be nice!

5. What do you think is vital in a designer's workspace?

Every designer's workspace should have the basic tools they need to be creative (be it computer, pen, paper, paintbrush), things that inspire them, something to keep them organized (Action book, whiteboard, cork board), and other creative minds to throw ideas at. Every designer should have at least one creative buddy to bounce ideas off. In my case, I'm lucky enough to work with 4.

Collis from Envato

1. What are some basic things you keep around in your workspace?

Aside from my computer, just two things - I always keep my notebook for big plans, my yellow note pad for day to day stuff! Oh I also have a big secondary screen tilted into a vertical position so I can put big text documents there.

2. How often do you use this workspace?

Every day! It's my desk at work :-)

3. Would you consider yourself a neat person?

I think I'm moderately neat, I find clutter makes it hard for me to think clearly, so I like to organize notes, and put things into my drawers so they are off the desk.

4. What are some things you wish you had in your workspace?

Two of me! Then I could do more :-)

5. What do you think is vital in a designer's workspace?

A big screen, preferably two!

What about your workspace?

So what does your workspace look like? Are you a clean person? Leave a comment below to tell us, and if you agree with these designer's responses.

If you enjoyed this article, consider following us on twitter?