All things tech: The hardware I rely on to keep my studio ticking

Luckily for me, I don’t need a whole lot of gadgets and gizmos to keep my business running smoothly, but there are a few crucial hardware components I couldn’t do without.

computer: imac [27 inch, 2019, customised]

I’ve always been an Apple gal and desktops just forever made sense - maybe because it’s just what I knew coming from ten years in an in-house design position, but also because I like having a designated work area. I definitely see the advantages of laptop portability, and it is something I have considered investing in for the extra flexibility, but I can’t pass up the screen size of the iMac for everyday use.

I use my iMac for basically everything: graphic design work, image editing, social media planning, emails, internet... all the things. I updated my computer last year after my previous iMac reached nine years of service, and the fact that all my Apple devices could now communicate with each other was a small but mighty game-changer.

computer devices: magic mouse and keyboard with numeric keypad

The wireless mouse is a no-brainer, but charging this guy is a royal pain. I’m not sure what Apple was thinking here, but the positioning of the charging port renders the mouse unusable while connected and it forever seems to go flat at the most inconvenient times.

Keyboard is also an obvious one - mine is tethered because I don’t really need to be taking it anywhere, but the numeric keypad is a personal preference.

storage: lacie external storage disk [2tb] and backblaze cloud storage

I’ve always liked having a physical storage device in my possession along with a cloud option. The 2TB isn’t huge so I’ll be looking to update this to a more significant permanent option, but it was affordable and works for the time being. I use this for backups of all my work, design assets and imagery. Multiple backups is imperative and something I can’t be without.

Backblaze - I can’t fault this service. Competitive pricing and easy to set up. It’s automatically updated, so I don’t need to worry.

tablets and accessories: ipad pro [10.5 inch] and apple pencil

I love my iPad for its versatility. I use it for photo editing (I especially love the control and detail I can achieve with the pencil), initial planning for design concepts, sketching ideas with the pencil in Procreate, presenting client proposals (if meeting in person) and just generally getting things done on the go (or when I just don’t feel like sitting at my desk). I may or may not also use this for my streaming services while working (hello: binge-watching!)

camera: fujifilm x-t20 paired with 18-55mm f2.8 lens

I’ve had a bit of a love affair with photography for as long as I can remember now, and while I had a larger DSLR back prior to kids, it really got shelved after they cam along purely because it was just something else I had to carry around. I took the leap and purchased the mirrorless X-T20 prior to traveling overseas in 2019 and I freaking adore this camera. High quality imagery, yet more compact than a traditional DSLR - I’m converted. I use this camera for shooting everyday scenes, as well as producing content for my own social media, along with producing imagery for client projects if I can’t find exactly what I’m after in stock. The lenses can be interchanged, but this zoom lens is versatile and perfect for my current shooting needs. I have a couple of cardreaders that I connect directly into my computer and/or iPad and that’s a simple way of importing images ready for editing.

phone: iphone

Obviously a staple in a lot of workplaces and households alike, my iPhone is a go-to for everything and anything. Social media planning (I like to keep an copy of my schedule on hand), emails, access to the internet and banking, photo editing if I’m out and about, access to social media, website analytics... the list goes on. And probably one of my favourite pros is having a camera almost always on hand. My iPhone is a few years old now, so the camera isn’t amazing, but sometimes it’s all I have available to me and it gets me by.

printer: epson surecolor p405

I toyed with not even including this guy, but he does exist, although barely. I use my printer irregularly for testing placement and sizing in designs or mock-ups. Sometimes seeing a design on-screen isn’t enough to gauge a true representation of the final product, so seeing it in person helps. That said, I don’t love this printer but I’m not motivated enough to change it so it can see out its days here.

I hope you enjoyed this little insight into my studio functionality. Keep in mind, these are the hardward items and combinations that suit the needs of my studio best. Be sure to do your own research to discover what will work for you and your own business before making any purchases.