Jonathan ReedNo. 551 · Graphic Designer and App Developer
Apple
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How five designers actually use Figma
Cole Blankenship manages Webflow and Squarespace websites for clients, drawing on 25-plus years in web building and five years as a full-time consultant. After booking his first client in 1999, he hasn't looked back.
After balancing design work as a side project alongside his full-time job for many years, he made the plunge to become a full-time freelancer in early 2020.
His minimalist setup was previously featured in edition #379 back in 2023. This is his updated — but still minimal and clean — setup in 2025.
Follow Cole on Twitter.
What is the most useful item in your workspace?
No doubt, my MacBook Pro. I sized down from a desktop when the M4 version came out and couldn't be happier with my decision. I guess I'm just a notebook person!
How do you spark creativity?
I'm often influenced by the work of others, which helps spark ideas. There are so many people sharing their work on social media these days and that has been a major inspiration for my creativity.
What's the first thing you do when you sit down to work for the day?
I brew a pot of coffee and then start working on my biggest project or challenge of the day. I’m most focused during my first few hours of work, so I tackle the most important tasks first.
