Sait Alanyali

Product Designer & Founder, PLA Concept

San Diego, CA Issue #258 January 1, 2023

About

Sait Alanyali is a product designer based in San Diego, CA and the founder of PLA Concept which is a modern everyday product brand, mostly focused on games like chess, GO, backgammon, etc.

He has previously worked as an industrial designer for most of his professional life but he’s dipping his toes in UX design for the last few years. He loves making things, experimenting with materials and manufacturing processes. He tries to share how to/behind the scenes content for PLA Concept on YouTube and Instagram.

Photos

8 images

Gear

22 items

Computer 14" M1 MacBook Pro

Monitor Samsung 28" 4K UHD Monitor Buy

Monitor Arm Dual Monitor Arm — Repurposed for single monitor use Buy

Keyboard Generic Keyboard + Custom 3D-Printed Riser — Riser has built-in palm rest, phone slot, and pen holder

Mouse Logitech MX Master 3

Monitor Custom 3D-Printed Monitor Phone Mount — Rotates and tilts; mounts to monitor arm

Desk Mat Gray PU Leather Desk Mat Buy

Headphones Avantree Over-the-Ear Foldable Headphone

Headphones Custom Walnut Headphone Stand — Built-in wireless charging Buy

Speakers Bluetooth Speaker

Desk Custom Walnut Laptop Dock

Desk Custom Walnut Tray

Accessories Vertical Chess Set — 3D-printed pieces with hidden magnets on laser-engraved walnut board. Plays vertically or horizontally. PLA Concept. Buy

Accessories Tic-Tac-Toe & Solitaire — PLA Concept designs Buy

Accessories Walnut & Resin Coaster — PLA Concept Buy

Accessories Chess Knight Bookend — PLA Concept Buy

Accessories Dieter Rams "10 Principles of Good Design" Poster Buy

Accessories Juicy Salif Citrus Squeezer by Philippe Starck — Alessi — more sculpture than tool Buy

Accessories 3D-Printed Low-Poly Easter Egg — From Thingiverse Buy

Accessories Dieter Rams: As Little Design as Possible Buy

Accessories Creative Acts for Curious People Buy

Accessories Keep It Simple Buy

Interview

3 questions

› What is your favorite item in your workspace?

It's hard to decide but I think my monitor. After working on a laptop screen for 7 years, I'm just enjoying the increased space, workflow and productivity!

› How do you spark creativity?

I like to watch unrelated videos or docs. Take long walks. I go through 6-7 podcast episodes a day while working.

› How do you keep the work-life balance?

I don't think I have that balance. If I was working at another company, I'd have that balance but doing almost everything while trying to scale your own company is extremely difficult and exhausting. I enjoy watching some tv show or movie with breakfast and dinner, that's my work life balance :)