The SetUp
I thought I would give a bit of an in-depth look at my setup. From hardware to software and why. Let's face it using the latest software and updating your hardware yearly does not make you a better designer. There is no app to magically help you procrastinate less or focus more.
Hard work, practice, persistence, and time are the only things that will make you a better at anything you do. And only the desire to focus more will make it happen, sure there are things we can do to help us along the way.
And when it comes to doing creative work, there is no one-size fits all. What works for me, may not work for you. Yet we are fascinated by how others work. What software do they use? What computer do they work from. Every work station is different; and while some may overlap no two are exactly the same.
I’m guilty of wanting to see what other creative use, in the vast land of apps and software, I have found that it’s the best way to discover new apps and try new approaches to how I do things.
As a freelance designer, I have the freedom to move around when and where I work. And the main focus for that is hardware. What hardware do I use and when?
Hardware
My primary computer is an iMac 27-inch HD, 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 4 GB Ram. This is my workhorse and the place where I do all of my digital design work.
Why I use it - I love working on a desktop for two reasons. One, I take my time and do any preleminry sketches or research away from the computer, with out feeling a rush to jump into the digital design, you lose the organic flow sketching by hand allows for. Second, I know that when I get to the computer I’m ready to be there and my family knows once I’m ready to begin work at my computer; I’m working, and need to focus.
My primary writing machine is my iPad 3 with a Zagg case + keyboard. It also where I check Twitter occasionally, watch a movie on Netflix or Read my ebooks. Basically all the things I stopped doing on my desktop, which I wrote about here.
Why I use it - About five years ago, I gave up using my Macbook Pro as it had become more of a web browsing, twitter checking, writing machine - once I started doing all my digital design work soley on my iMac.
Why I love it for writing - The iPad is smaller, liter and much more portable than a laptop and the batter life is unbeatable. It is also, I found a great machine for uni-tasking. On the laptop I had to many options, multiple apps open that I could switch between with a click. On the iPad however, I had to stop what I was doing, hit the home button and open a folder or swipe to switch apps. While multitasking nuts found this annoying, it helps me focus on the task at hand. And if you are wondering, while the new iPad certainly looks impressive, I will not be switching back to a multitasking machine.
Magic Mouse with a mobee rechargable batter. I love the battery charger on this, makes it super simple and quite to charge.
Apple Wireless Keyboard - Nothing special about why I use this one.
Sketchbooks - I have tried many, many sketchbooks over the years, from Molskines to other non-name brands. My latest is a Baron Fig which I absolutely love. I love the lay flat design and the quality is top notch. Plus I love that they are environmentally conscious. For every Sketch book/notebook you by they plant a tree - how great is that!
Micron Pens and a Mechanical Pencil - I just love the feel of these, they are comfortable to hold for long periods and the ink is quick dry, always a good thing.
My main (and only) smartphone is an iPhone 6 - It’s my main social media device and go to camera. Along with checking email or online shopping (never over an open wifi network though).
Why I use it - I like the bigger screen on this one, the plus model is just way to big for me to use comfortable. I need something I can use with one hand in a pinch. Plus it has a better battery life than my iPhone 5 and the fingerprint lock is nice when my kids want my phone.
Samsung NX300 Mirrorless Camera Once I had kids, I realized I really needed something more portable than my huge DSL with external flash and lenses. This has been a great camera with interchangable lenses that aren’t so bulky, a touch screen, Auto and Manual settings, Wifi enabled for cloud sharing, emailing, and social media upload.
These are the hardware items I use regularly for work. Now lets get into the softer side of things.
Software
The Desktop Software
Illustrator - Illustration
Sketch - Design
Chrome - I have always been a Safari user until last year when Apple screwed it up royally and it was on non-stop crash mode. The more I have used Chrome the more I’m glad I made the switch.
Here are some great plugins I use: Sort, Moment, 1Password
Lightroom - Photo editing
Ulysses - has become my go-to writing app as I have a few blogs now, it offers a great library, and organizing panel that my previous favorite didn’t have.
Time Machine - For obvious reasons.
Drive Alert - A free app that alerts you if your hard drive starts showing signs of problems.
Dropbox - Best sharing app ever.
Backblaze - It's always good to have an off-site back up just incase of a crash, a flood, a fire or anything else that can ruin a HD. And for $50 a month of unlimited back up it's well worth it.
Rescue Time - What to know how much time you spent surfing the net or editing photos. This is best app to track how you're spending your time when you're on your machine. And it's customizable.
BreakTime - I always need reminders to take a break and stretch.
Noizio - Great ambient noise app with lots of options, cafe, camping, ocean, etc.
iPad Apps
Dropbox
1Password
Instapaper - My bookmark repository for article I what to read, when I have time to read them.
TweetBot - My favorite Twitter app.
Google Cal - it’s great for syncing with my email and my husbands calendar.
Ulysses
Diet Coda - for web design tweaks.
Paper - For color discovery and sketching
iBooks & Kindle for reading
iPhone Apps
These are my top go-to’s, and some are the same as my desktop. These are the apps I use daily or often.
Dropbox
1Password
OncReciept - As a freelancer having a way to track your expenses digitally is a must.
Mileage Log - Pretty self-explanatory, again a business must have to make it easier.
Instapaper - My bookmark repository for article I what to read, when I have time to read them.
TweetBot - My favorite Twitter app.
Manual - One of my favorite camera apps
Google Cal - it’s great for syncing with my email and my husbands calendar.
iA Writer - I hate writing on my phone, but when inspiration strikes and I need to get in on “paper” quickly before I can get to my iPad.
Boxer Pro - email
Scanner Pro - I use this quite often for transferring sketches to my desktop and creating multi-page pdf for home or family stuff.
Instacast - for podcast
Audible - for audiobooks
What does your set up look like? And why do you use those devices or apps? I’d love to hear from you on this topic.