Part home office, part recording studio — Patrick’s space features Yamaha HS5 audio monitors, a Shure SM7B on a boom arm, and acoustic panels that tie his setup together.
Patrick Morgan is a designer and the creator of Better by Design, a newsletter sharing pragmatic strategies and tactics for designers and brand thinkers.
Over the course of more than a decade, he's helped companies like Leo Burnett, American Express, and Fastly craft category-leading brand and software experiences.
Pat was previously featured in edition #219 of Workspaces. This is his updated workspace in 2023.
The sit/stand desk. It keeps me moving, lets me clamp on things like my speaker stands and mic arm, and provides a nice amount of space to toss extra gear besides my computer when I need it. It's not sexy, but it's a workhorse, that's for sure.
When the design work is done, the real instruments come out. A Fender Stratocaster, Taylor GS Mini, and Roland RD-800 share the walls with a full set of acoustic treatment panels.
What does your typical daily routine look like?
I'm currently taking a sabbatical from client work, so right now I just try to 1) make something (design, writing, music, etc...), 2) go for a run and enjoy the Southern California outdoors, and 3) spend some time with friends. It's an intentionally chill life, for the moment.
A designer’s desk done right — Dell UltraSharp 4K flanked by Yamaha HS5s, a Shure SM7B on the boom, and a tan leather desk mat tying it all together.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee. Though I started making my own half-caff blend to make sure my habit doesn't give me the jitters.
Southern California has its perks. When the weather calls, Patrick takes the MacBook Pro and AirPods Max outside — no commute required.Patrick’s outdoor setup is complete with an outdoor table, fire pit, and just enough SoCal sunshine to make any workday feel less like work.
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