264 - Katie Langerman

Katie Langerman is a designer and developer. She is currently a Systems Designer at GitHub working on Primer.

She also co-organizes Ladies that UX Boston, a meetup group empowering women who work in design and technology.

She has also released a few episodes of her new UX design podcast, UX At Your Leisure.

Twitter → twitter.com/katielangerman

Items:

• Elgato key light air
• Speakers: PreSonis Eric E3.5
• Elgato stream deck (old version)
• MacBook Pro
• Webcam: insta360 Link
• Dock: CalDigit TS3
• Mic: Shure SM7B
• Mic arm: Elgato low profile
• Folding treadmill: WalkingPad
• Chair: Steelcase Leap
• Headphones: Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H4
• Grovemade felt desk pad
• Desk top: IKEA Pinnarp
• Standing desk: Fully Jarvis
• Walnut wall hooks: Becki and Chris
• Monitor: LG UltraWide 34"

Software:

• Firefox
• VS Code
• Figma
• CleanShot
• Loom
• Pika
• Tana
• Obsidian
• Slack
• GitHub
• Readwise
• mymind

What is your favorite item in your workspace?

My CalDigit dock really changed how I cable manage and wire up my workspace. It's the main power source for most of my desk, allowing me to use just a single cable to plug in my MacBook. Mounting it under the desk keeps it clean and out of the way, but I can still easily access the front to plug in a charger or SD card.

How do you spark creativity?

Going for walks. Quick neighborhood walks, long beach walks– either one works. Sometimes with a podcast or music, other times with just my thoughts.

How do you manage work-life balance?

I make time during the work week for personal things, like working on side projects or going climbing. Gym time is non-negotiable for me and I block my calendar to get it done. I have little reminders in place to help me wrap up work on time, like changing the color of my office lights daily at 5PM.

What do you think is the main benefit of remote work?

Aside from being home with my partner and cat all day, making lunch in my own kitchen and enjoying my home office and neighborhood– the main benefit to me is being able to work with people from all around the world. I've been fortunate to work with some incredible designers and developers who all have different life experiences from me. I think expanding outside of my previous small, local tech bubble has made me a better collaborator and communicator.