I think it's always interesting to see how other artists set-up their studios. It's as though you're getting a glimpse of their creative soul. I thought that I'd talk about how we laid things out and why.
This is my set-up. My brother and I have separate studios--this helps keep us from pulling each others hair out! But we are constantly on the phone and utilizing our FTP server. I've listed a few of the important items below:
- dual monitor screens (keep reference or software menus on one screen while working on the other; once you have it, you'll wonder what took you so long)
- Pantone Huey (adjusts monitors for more accurate color; adjusts with light in room too)
- job folders (at first, I used large folders (non-digital) for roughs, sketches and paperwork but discovered that I needed to "see" all the current jobs going and jobs on hold...this way I could keep everything fresh in my mind; see the photo on the right...erasable magnetic strips call out the job and I use magnets to hang up notes, etc.)
- lightbox (needed every so often)
- printer/fax (b&w Brother laser printer; inexpensive and does the job)
- Espson printer (I feel a must have for any artist desiring to sell his or her own prints)
- Mac station (I use this every once and awhile for color correcting; design projects too)
- PC station (we build our own computers to save money and we're constantly updating our hardware; the 3D world is more on the PC side; you need rock-star equipment for 3D)
- displaying your own work on the walls (there's a small part of me that gets nauseous seeing my art displayed--I always feel I can do better...but this way I don't have to explain what I do for a living when friends come over)
- ergonomic chair (worth every penny)
- filing cabinet or shelf box organizers
- ergonomic keyboard tray (an adjustable keyboard tray should tilt slightly downward to take away the angle on the wrists and the tray should sit low near your lap to help relax your shoulders and neck)
- FatBoy bean bag (I pull this giant bean bag out to lounge in while I sketch; I lay my inspirational books all around me on the floor.)
A Quick Story: It's funny...in my freelance art director days I can remember being dumped into an empty, beige-colored cubicle with a piece-of-crap Mac that had enough viruses on it to scare the cockroaches running around my feet. Or the white-walled, windowless straight-jacket room. Did I work in an insane asylum? At times, I did! How can a creative be creative in an non-inspirational environment? I once worked in an actual closet that had been converted into an "office". I believe Herman Miller would agree, the cubicle was a bad idea.
The Idea: Comfort is important. A creative environment is a must along with being organized. Having two computers is a necessity--especially if one computer has a problem and you're on a deadline.
Next Creative Biz Note #18---The Illusion of Promotion
(Feel free to comment)
2 comments:
Regarding creatives in cubicles (we jokingly call them "stalls" around here -- not sure if that's a reference to cattle or restrooms, but...), it's amazing how much Corporate America has forced creatives into a very non-creative space since the era of "desktop publishing" came about. The whole thing where they try to make art staff use a $400 PC rather than a more appropriate rig is another prime example.
Your studio looks pretty cool. and I really dig seeing other creative people's digs. Thanks for sharing... and for all the "Creative Biz Notes" you've been sharing with us.
I like that--"stalls". Thanks for the kind comment!
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