I’ve been making some changes around the office. Part of the change is just general updating, while part is caused by a change in emphasis. The work I’m doing this year is different than the work I did last year, and next year will be different again. The graphic design field, like a lot of others I assume, is changing at a rapid rate. With a few minor changes to my equipment, I’ve realigned my equipment to better meet the tasks I’ve using them for.

I try not to jump on the latest technology to hit the market, it goes with my overall theory that it’s better to learn from the mistakes of others than make the mistakes yourself. It is important however, not to fall too far behind the curve in terms of technology.

Monitors are one thing that’s changed a lot in recent years. The quality is up, and the costs are down. Contrary to what you might think though, I don’t find a huge monitor an asset in graphic and web design field. I’d always like bigger monitors, but I find that the biggest bang for the buck is using two good monitors of decent size. I’m currently using two 19 inch monitors. I keep my design software running on one, with the tool bars on the other. Gives my a very uncluttered view of my work, while allowing me lots of space for all of the palettes and tool bars that seem to be necessary for my work. If you are a designer, give some serious thought to investing in a second monitor, you’d be amazed at the improvement it will make in your productivity. It doesn’t even have to match your current one. Keep your nice high quality monitor as the primary, and get a smaller one for the secondary. It may seem counterintuitive, but matching monitors is really not necessary.

Keyboards and mice are the other features I see most often overlooked in a good workspace. Personally I like ergonomic keyboards, but to each his own. The key is to get one that fits you, that you can use without thinking. Don’t stick yourself with something that came with a computer ten years ago just because you have it. Find what you like, and go for it. It’s a tool you use all day, don’t shortchange yourself on something so basic to your productivity. A good mouse is the other half of this equation. Can you think of a tool in your office that’s used more than your mouse? Let me guess, you still use the one that came with the computer? Maybe thats OK, but is it working for you? There are much better mice on the market. I had a decent optical mouse, but I recently upgraded to a Logitech MX Revolution. Very nice. It works much better with the longer documents I’ve been working on lately than my previous mouse. The extra function buttons and the high speed scrolling features are excellent. I’m still getting used to it, but it’s going to save me a lot of time.

While it’s extremely important that as a designer you know your software, it also important that you know your hardware. Take a look at your workspace, could it be better? By better I mean appropriate, not more expensive. Are your tools a match for the tasks you use the for? Do they allow you to focus on the design, rather than on using them? A few changes to your workspace might allow for some serious improvements in you productivity. With a little thought, and a little investment, you too might be doing the Full Geek Boogie.

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