over 6 years ago from Kyle S, Graphic Designer & Illustrator
If you're anything like me, most of my time is spent indoors sitting at my desk, staring at my computer screen for atleast 8 hours a day. That being said, I'm curious what sort of things my fellow desk dwellers use that has drastically improved your desk setup?
My entire desk surface (custom table top) is now a whiteboard, thanks to a local plastics supplier. I hardly use my sketchbook in the office now, I just draft things out in monster scale on my desk and snap a pic with Evernote. Best office kit I've ever had!
Whoa, that sounds really nifty! Do you have a pic?
This is the best shot I have on hand. I pinned a bunch of screens on the wall behind my desk and them mapped out the dysfunction on the desktop. It was magical. 
This is great! Thanks
It doesn't wipe off with your hands / arms / elbows moving around??
Sure, it can wipe off. I generally have a clear space where I'm typing and using my track pad. The whiteboard space is the whole surface for simplicity's sake, but I mostly use the ~6-8 sq ft to my left. Sometimes I push my laptop, keyboard, and trackpad out of the way and use the whole thing. Then I snap a pic with Evernote before I wipe it and get back to the digital world.
Mechanical keyboard. I own two. (Work/home)
My one true love is my Das Keyboard Ultimate edition.
Going all blank keys has made me type so much faster - and gotten rid of the nasty habit of looking at my keyboard too often. It's also just super good looking and crazy good quality. For those wondering: I got Cherry blues and browns. Prefer the blues because of tactile feedback & ASMR ;)
Apart from that, Logitech's series of mice (from MX500 series to G403, simple mice, high durability) and my Wacom Intuos 5 are my most prized possessions.
I love stuff that's German-like: QUALITY.
.edit: Wow. Nice image Dirk. Idiot.
Wow, super cool. Might pick one up myself!
Doesn't really help with my desk setup, but definitely helps my well-being: A large (40oz or 64oz) Hydroflask or any other stainless steel insulated bottle, with a lot of ice. Keeps water ice-cold all day and keeps me hydrated!
My convertible sit/stand desk.
The computer I use to do work to get paid.
Do $400 noise cancelling earbuds count?
You dropped mad stacks on earbuds!
Yes, I could not work in an open office layout without these.
You need the overall set up to come together.
To me, the sound system makes a huge difference. The work surface of course is important. Availability of old school sketchbooks and writing utensils.
I suppose the one thing that has made the biggest difference in my work is the keyboard upgrade.
I swear by the Microsoft Sculpt keyboard.
In particular, the black one.
I got the newer Bluetooth version of this keyboard and went back to the black earlier edition.
The standard Apple Wireless keyboard is murder on your joints and wrists.
I'm still working on getting some of the cable junk under control, but my current setup:
That view is insane
What desk is that?? Its beautiful!
Hey Jeff! I don't even know tbh - I bought it at a furniture store here in HCMC, Vietnam that is called Instore.
I was going to go the custom route (again) and spotted this there, and fell in love with it.
Surprised nobody has said chair yet. Invest in a good chair so you don't have to pay for it later in life. Herman Miller Aerons can be found used, in good condition, and relatively cheap compared to their new price in my city. If you're going to invest in your workspace, start here.
I was just about to say my chair. And it's an Aeron!
An employee.
A 2$ qi charger for my phone and a 4$ mousepad with a wrist cushion. Really basic needs that I couldn't do without!
Big table
In an effort to keep my desk as tidy I use the Cliff monitor riser to hide unsightly cables and I dock my laptop in a BookArc möd.
A dock and the Canvas app. I know it's not quite what you were looking for, but of all the stuff I bought, these two items provided the biggest improvement to my quality of work (bought 3 years ago).
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