Jonathan ReedNo. 551 · Graphic Designer and App Developer
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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.
Follow Sait on PLA Concept and at saitalanyali.com.
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!
Walk us through your gear — what's on your desk and what's the story behind it?
Vertical chess set — 3D-printed pieces with hidden magnets on a laser-engraved walnut board. Plays vertically or horizontally. A PLA Concept original.
Dieter Rams '10 Principles of Good Design' poster — foundational inspiration on the wall.
14-inch M1 MacBook Pro paired with a Samsung 28-inch 4K UHD monitor. After seven years on a laptop screen, the extra real estate has been a game changer.
Dual monitor arm from Amazon — adapted for a single monitor to keep the desk clear.
Generic keyboard from Amazon with a custom 3D-printed riser. The riser has a built-in palm rest, phone slot, and pen holder.
Logitech MX Master 3 mouse.
Custom 3D-printed phone mount that clips to the monitor arm and rotates and tilts to any angle.
3D-printed low-poly shell covering the monitor arm — keeps it looking clean.
Gray PU leather desk mat from Amazon.
Bluetooth speaker. Custom walnut headphone stand with wireless charging. Avantree over-the-ear foldable headphones.
3D-printed low-poly geometric easter egg from Thingiverse.
Foldable/magnetic travel chess set — currently in development at PLA Concept.
Tic-Tac-Toe, Solitaire, walnut & resin coaster, chess knight bookend — all PLA Concept designs.
Three design books: Dieter Rams, Creative Acts for Curious People, Keep It Simple.
Juicy Salif citrus squeezer by Philippe Starck for Alessi — more sculpture than tool.
Custom walnut tray and custom walnut laptop dock.
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 :)
