Pedro Medina Desk Setup — Workspaces #552

Pedro Medina is a data scientist and engineer, and the founder of Haystack Data Solutions, a full-service data and AI firm that helps the food industry grow through the transformative power of data.

His work spans data analytics, business intelligence, manufacturing automation and artificial intelligence, applied to real-world food operations — improving performance, efficiency and decision-making as food companies adapt to an ever-changing technology landscape.

He is currently writing a book about food informatics, and runs the whole operation from a basement room he calls the Panda Palace.

Follow Pedro at haystackdata.com.

Follow Pedro on LinkedIn and at haystackdata.com.

What is the most recent item that you've added to your workspace?

I recently added my Panda Neon Sign.

The wider room: the white desk and a black gaming chair against the slat wall, with white shelving and framed prints to the left. — The full setup.

What is one change you'd like to make to your current workspace?

I'd like to convert my work desk into a standing desk by installing a lift mechanism. Most office desks aren't as large as mine (75" x 35"). It works as a "...conference desk for eight, dinning table for six, or a power desk for one." I chose the latter because I need all the space I can get! Looking at something like the Desky lift mechanism.

The desk from the side, the laptop open beside two monitors showing macro flower wallpapers, with a white keyboard on a black desk mat. — Two monitors and the ProArt.

What monitor arm are you using? Would you recommend it?

AVLT dual monitor arm. It's OK. Price was good.

A walnut monitor stand holding a plant, a digital thermometer, an Echo Dot and a panda-faced kitchen timer, with a dock mounted underneath and a white coiled cable running to the keyboard. — The CalDigit TS4 dock tucked under the Oakywood Desk Shelf.

What is an item under $100 that everyone should consider adding to their workspace?

My Royal Kludge RK96 keyboard (I know, stupid name) is under $70 and it's been a fantastic programmable mechanical keyboard!

I've had much pricier keyboards, but this one punches way above its weight. I also wish more keyboards came with magnetic wrist rests like this one does! Such an underrated feature that comes in handy as you move your keyboard around your desk.

The Royal Kludge RK96 keyboard, white with black keycaps, on a black desk mat with its coiled cable running up to the dock. — The RK96 keyboard... his <$100 recommendation.

You call your workspace “The Panda Palace”. Let's talk about that.

I first got the white work desk as a gift from a prior client, but most of my computer peripherals were black. So, I decided to go all-in on a white and black theme: black and white speakers, key caps, mic and boom arm, etc. It didn't hurt that my nickname is "Panda", so there's that, LOL! I'm big, hairy, and huggable, I guess.

My wife says I have enough pandas now (16 and counting...). I disagree.

A white monitor arm and a white Kanto bookshelf speaker beside a plant in a white pot, with a small panda figure lying on the edge of the walnut shelf. — A Kanto YU6, and one of the pandas.

What do you enjoy most about WFH?

I love the peace and freedom of WFH. Nobody asking you if you "got a case of the Mondays."

A white floating shelf on the slat wall holding a plant in a panda planter, a white chess knight, a row of books and a small framed photo, with the neon panda glowing below. — Books and another panda... this time it serves as a planter.

What does your typical day look like?

I typically start my day around 8am and work until 6pm. I'm a big believer in Cal Newport's Deep Work approach and split my days into content creation (currently writing a book about food informatics), business development, and client delivery + team management. I use the Pomodoro method, but instead of the standard 25 minute time blocks, I work for 36 minutes and take 9 minute breaks for a quick HITT workout. I find that breaking my days into 45 minute chunks like this really helps me enter flow states more consistently.

A second shelf with books including Deep Work and Peak Mind, a white chess piece, a framed photograph of a hay bale and a Terminator endoskeleton figure. — Another shelf with miscellaneous items on it.

I find that breaking my days into 45 minute chunks like this really helps me enter flow states more consistently.
Pedro Medina, on his 36/9 split

What is one productivity trick that actually works for you?

I use a combination of Steven Covey's weekly planner and Cal Newport's time blocking journal to effectively plan my weeks and days to be as productive as I can. This system really helps me see where my time is going and helps me adapt as things invariably change throughout the day or week.

As a solo founder with a small team, I have to be as organized as possible in order to manage multiple projects, people, and tools without getting swamped.