As a graphic designer, you’re probably no stranger to working on the computer for up to 8-12 hours a day.
With such gruelling days, ensuring that you are as comfortable and organised is important when it comes to sparking creativity and working in the most efficient way possible. This is why having an organised workspace or workstation is crucial for any graphic designer.
If you’re tired of slouching over the computer on your couch or scurrying around the house looking for tools, this is the article for you. Today, we have a look at 5 great ways you can set up the perfect workspace as a graphic designer, so read on to find out more!
1. Create An Effective Desk Layout
Your desk space is probably one of the most important aspects when it comes to creating the most functional workspace that allows your creativity to flow. Piling all of your work items such as scratch paper, paint, reference books and tablets all in one space can make things feel cluttered and uninspiring. This is why we highly recommend organising your desk and creating specific “stations” for your items.
For example, you could devote one section to your computer, printer and tablet, and another to peripherals such as hard drives, HP 63 ink and stationery. Setting up simple yet effective zones is the best way to ensure that you stay organised and have a clear mind when working on your projects.
2. Invest In Digital Storage
As a graphic designer, you probably have thousands of photos, files and other media related items stored on your computer. Aside from taking up an incredible amount of space on your hard drive, not backing up these important files on an external drive can prove to be disastrous in the event that your computer crashes with no warning.
Investing in digital storage, whether that be external hard drives, cloud storage or even thumbdrives is a fantastic way of keeping all your files in one location without the risk of losing them all. Digital storage also allows you to bring your work with you when you meet clients or potential partners.
3. Creative Comfort
Working at your desk and on the computer for up to half the day can result in numerous aches, pains and general discomfort at the end of the work day. This is why investing in a high quality desk and computer chair is vital. A quality office chair isn’t just about comfort — it’s also beneficial for your health. The best chairs on the market offer the necessary support that you need for your arms, back and neck so that you don’t end up straining your muscles or injuring yourself.
We highly recommend options such as the Herman Miller Embody or the Secret Lab TITAN to anyone who sits at a desk for a prolonged period of time on a daily basis.
Additionally, if you’re using a laptop, you can opt to use a laptop stand to elevate the screen to eye level and improve your posture, reducing strain on your neck and shoulders.
4. Necessary Technology
Being a graphic designer goes hand in hand with owning the latest in technology, but that doesn’t mean that you need to go all out and spend your entire life savings on expensive hardware. Always start off by calculating your budget and working out which tools are essential to your work. Purchase the absolute necessities such as a tablet device and leave the less important items to later.
If you’re looking for high-definition displays to showcase your work, we recommend Wacom as they offer a wide variety of tablets that come with attachable stands that allow you to draw from different angles.
5. Eliminate Distractions
Last but not least, getting rid of clutter and distractions is probably one of the biggest tips we could give you. Filling your desk with non-work related items such as desk toys and personal effects can greatly impact your ability to stay focused and organised. In order to ensure that your work takes center stage, we recommend eliminating anything that could detract you from the job at hand.
If you are someone who doesn’t enjoy sterile environments, try decorating your workspace with inspirational artwork, designs and other effects that will help channel your creativity rather than detract from it.
Creating an organized and effective workspace is one of the biggest gifts you can give yourself as a graphic designer. We hope that this article has inspired you to give your home office a little makeover that will allow your creativity to flow both endlessly and tirelessly.