No. 553 · November 14, 2026

Brian Ruiz

Software Engineer, Indie Developer and YouTuber

New York, US

“People should be able to hear the quality of your videos even when they're not looking at the screen.”

A walnut standing desk in front of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Manhattan skyline, with one Studio Display on a wooden shelf, a black Aeron chair and AirPods Max resting on the desk. — Brian's setup, and most of midtown.

Brian Ruiz is a software engineer by day and a content creator by night.

He is currently a software engineer at Hines.

When he’s not busy with his day job, he is making cinematic tech vlogs on YouTube where he has amassed a following of over 100,000 subscribers.

He is also building Beam, a project management app he made from the ground up because he wanted one with a great mobile experience.

Having a setup that lets him do all of this is essential. He recently switched to a warm, mid-century modern workspace with walnut wood, clean lines, a single monitor, and a mix of black and white accessories.

Follow Brian on YouTube and at b-r.io.

What is the most recent upgrade that you've made to your workspace? What did it replace and why?

My most recent upgrade is the Shure SM7B. It's an iconic microphone, and when it comes to content creation, crisp audio is one of the most important elements. People should be able to hear the quality of your videos even when they're not looking at the screen.

Brian Ruiz sitting at the walnut desk in AirPods Max, working on a single display, with the Empire State Building through the windows behind him. — 80% of his day is spent sitting at his desk.

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

I'd like to upgrade my computer. I'm currently using an M1 Pro MacBook Pro, and while it has held up really well, I'm looking forward to upgrading to the new touchscreen version, especially for more RAM.

The desk head-on: one display on a walnut shelf lit by a screen bar, a black Aeron pulled up to it, and a silver YouTube play button mounted on the wall to the left. — A silver play button from YouTube is always on display.

What desk are you currently using? Have you tried any others before landing on this one?

I'm using a Vernal hardwood standing desk. I've also had a custom IKEA desk and an Ergonofis desk, but I wanted to shift the color palette toward a warmer wood. I had the opportunity to collaborate with Vernal on this setup, and it felt like a great fit.

Brian Ruiz standing at the raised desk with a cup of coffee, one hand on the mouse, city buildings filling the window beside him. — The 20% of the day where he is standing.

I wanted to shift the color palette toward a warmer wood.
Brian Ruiz, on leaving white desks behind

What chair do you have in your setup? Why did you settle on this one?

I have a Herman Miller Aeron, which I consider an endgame ergonomic chair. I don't plan on changing it anytime soon.

A close view of the desk at dusk: a Shure SM7B on a boom arm, a plant, an iPad propped beside the keyboard, a Behringer interface and a felt desk mat. — The SM7B mic, the Behringer and the iPad as a second screen.

Do you find yourself sitting or standing more throughout the day?

I'd say about 80% sitting and 20% standing.

Brian Ruiz standing at his desk at dusk, headphones on, the display glowing against the lit windows of midtown behind him. — Work with a view.

What's the most underrated app or tool you use every day?

A little self-plug here: Beam is a project management app I built from the ground up because I wanted a tool with a great mobile experience. You can find it at joinbeam.app.

For a physical tool, I use an Ember smart mug that keeps my coffee warm. It was gifted to me, and I find myself using it at my desk every day :)