A Few Design Essentials
Let me preface this article by saying, none of these are absolute, you can create great work the things below. These might just make your life a bit easier. It's a pretty common misconception/learning experience in most art forms where we spend the early stages acquiring gear on top of gear because “that’ll make me better”. In the end, gear plays very little part. You could give a great photographer a disposable camera and they'll get some amazing shots. But who doesn't like playing with new toys?
One: Laptop
If you're going to be a designer or really just a modern person, in general, you're going to need a laptop. It’s the only thing on this list you can't live without. It’s the center of your entire design career. Where you work, store files, communicate, you get it. This is the area I'd recommend you spend liberally if you’ve got the spare change.
What I’m Using: 15” MacBook Pro
Apple is going to have to mess up in a major way to lose my business. There are arguments for PCs sure, but the seamless UI of Apple products, especially when linked to an iPhone really can't be beaten. The look of them is nearly flawless, which to me at least matters. You'd think as someone who spends all day working on and understanding branding I’d be less susceptible, but I'm not, likely purposefully so. (side note, don’t cover it in stickers, it’s a perfectly designed masterpiece of technology, it doesn't need a five-cent Dutch Bros sticker)
Two: Smartphone
This goes without saying. You simply just have to have one to function in society. These guys pack such a huge punch for designers. Being able to communicate through text or email with clients, photographing work, researching projects, and being able to easily post to social media at the drop of a hat can't be understated.
What I’m Using: iPhone 7
About due for an upgrade, but this thing has been trusty and reliable. In combination with a Mac, the airdrop abilities streamline everything. Less time worrying about files, more time creating. Nothing kills the flow like tech problems. Again in my eyes, Apple is really going to have to implode to lose my business.
Three: Pencil
Yupp that's it a pencil. I know it sounds obvious but having a solid writing tool you genuinely enjoy using makes working that much more fun. Just one? Yes, just one. I’m more than guilty of collecting every pen and pencil under the sun, literally have boxes of them. It goes back to the beginning stages of collecting gear rather than creating work. Adding new tools to create with isn't the same as creating.
What I’m Using: Rotrign .05 Mechanical
This will likely be the last writing tool I ever use. Its matte black metal body and smooth actions make it a genuine pleasure to write and draw with. Its got a weight that feels good in that hand. Things just seem to come more naturally with this one. If a pencil can exude confidence this guy does.
Four: NoteBook
There are literally thousands of notebooks tailored to every need imaginable, though few fully hit the mark and check every box. Overall you'd like something that is large enough to get down full ideas and concepts without using a microscope, while on the other end being compact enough to fit in a backpack or back pocket. Rugged enough that it’s going to last its full lifetime, but not so indestructible that you need bricks to weigh down either page while writing. It should fit your needs, whether that be blank, lined, or gridded paper. Lastly and the thing I struggle with the most, it has to look good enough for me to want to use, but not so beautiful that I’m scared to sully its pages by opening it. ( I've left notebooks on the shelf for months as not to crinkle a corner on them.)
What I’m Using: French Mon Carnet & Field Notes
I’ve narrowed it down to two. First Mon Carnet. These notebooks border on the “too beautiful to use” line I was talking about. They look more like a priceless book than your average notebook. Mine is beautifully bound with a charcoal cover and nicely set gold letterpresses type. Inside is cream-colored blank paper, tearable note pages, and butcher paper style grid sheets. It really covers all bases and is pretty reasonable in price. Next is the old standby, a notebook that knows what it is and doesn't try to be anything more, of course, we’re talking about Aaron Drapplin’s Field Notes. These are my throw and go back pocket champions. Charm that comes from practicality, these things are tough as they are handy. With a handful of dot gridded sheets, these really cover all bases. They come in three-packs for like 10 bucks, what more could you ask for?
Five: Tracing Paper
This one took me a minute to realize how useful it is. I tend to like my sketches clean and organized in a notebook, but trace really changes the game. Being able to overlay and change instantly is huge for making adjustments without the leg work of redrawing or setting up a light board. Rolling out a big sheet lets you see things a bit more clearly, you're not as contained as you normally are with notebooks. Also, the feeling of lead on trace is one of the nicest combos you can find.
What I’m using: General Trace
This doesn't particularly matter. I’ll link one down below, but really all you want is an opaque white role. Don't go for the sheets, they're a pain to keep track of.
Six: Camera
While your phone will most likely get the job done there is a certain level of quality you just can't get without a real camera. Even if it's just an entry-level DLSR, get something with lenses you can swap out. Beyond the obvious quality differences, learning a bit about photography will expand your design consciousness, every new art form you learn makes your core that much stronger. Photography is a great skill to have, especially if you're ever creating real-life products. Nothing kills a solid project like bad photography. This isn't to say you can't get good results without. I shot my entire sophomore portfolio on my phone after watching one Peter McKinnon tutorial, and it turned out pretty damn well.
What I’m Using: Nikon Z6 & 85mm 1.8 / 24mm 1.8
Other than my laptop this was the biggest investment I've made thus far in design. While it was spendy I’d buy it again. The camera is a genuine pleasure to use. It’s also lead to me developing an appreciation for photography. Kind of like after you've been designing for a few months you start to notice all the labels in the grocery store, photography opens up another front of creative consciousness. As far as the Z6 you really don't need anything this high tech to begin. I started out on a Nikon D3400 with some cheap lenses. In all reality, I choose the Z6 because it's great for video… heads up for some stuff coming in 2020…
Seven: Backpack
Sounds basic and I do feel a bit like a little kid still walking about with a backpack, but for everything I do, a backpack is a must. A place to store everything safely and easily is essential. You don't want to be throwing all the gear you just spent hundreds or thousands on jumbling around in the Jansport you've been rockin since middle school. For me, it’s something that can be functional while still looking good and as “adult” as you can with a backpack. I like a good combo of camera gear storage, a safe laptop compartment, and plenty of pockets for all the rest.
What I’m Using: Havana 48 Tan
While I’ve got a pretty good collection at this point. This guy is my everyday go-to. Checks all the boxes. It has an easy to get to laptop sleeve, plenty of pockets, and a dedicated cube for camera gear. Though it's become a bit too small as my photography collection has grown, its enough for a camera and an extra lens, so for the average person its more than enough if you plan your day out.
I could get into the nitty-gritty of all the small tools I use for things like craft, lighting, music, down to the chair I sit in. Maybe that’s one for another time. But above are the basics. Of course, do your own research and find what fits your needs, these are just the things I like and have found to work well for me. Thanks for reading, and as always if you have any questions or just want to say hey, shoot me an email or dm.
Thanks!
Links below for all the products I mentioned if you want to have a look for yourself!
Laptop: https://amzn.to/2NmpUxK
Phone: https://amzn.to/2qwZ90U (newest version since you probably don’t want a 7 anymore)
Pencil: https://amzn.to/2CgNDcB
Notebook: Mon Carnet: http://zakkajoy.com/mon-carnet-de-croquis-poche-rough-notebook-small/ (no good ones on amazon but this site has a handful, this is the one I use)
FieldNotes: https://amzn.to/2JWD6aq
Tracing Paper: https://amzn.to/2CicXP9
Camera: https://amzn.to/2NMXJqR
Lenses: 85mm: https://amzn.to/2NMXJqR 24mm: https://amzn.to/2qx0IvO
Entry-Level Camera Kit: https://amzn.to/2CkOMQj
Backpack: https://amzn.to/2JYutfP