Background information
Our editors’ desk setups, part 1: Michelle likes colours
by Michelle Brändle
In this series, our editors will show you which equipment they use every day – be it for work or gaming. First off, Michelle’s colourful and geeky desk setup.
The collection of playful and colourful things on my desk helps me start the day with a smile on my face. I enjoy taking a seat and letting all the colours of the rainbow flow into my work. Apart from that, I just have stuff lying around I'm actually working on – and a notepad to collect my thoughts.
My desk in three words? Colourful, geeky and full of things that light up. After writing about my desk setup, I realised most of the things I own were either gifts or things I’ve already had for many years.
I assembled my PC myself and packed it into a Lian Li case. My priorities? As much RGB lighting as possible. Rumour has it this boosts performance wink.
I opted for the Asus Pro Art, which helps me keep everything in sight. Working on two individual monitors doesn’t work well for me. I prefer one large one (that’s what she said).
What’s most important to me when I’m working is a good keyboard (thanks, Kevin!). Therefore, this Zoom75 is the centrepiece of my desk. I put it together myself – RGB included, of course. I went for the SubarashĪ key cap set by PBT Fans. Most recently, I installed linear switches that meet my requirements. And I added a very special key cap from Jellykey’s 8-bit series.
The keyboard rests on a mat that’s designed for a different purpose. It’s a play mat for the Pokémon card game. However, I like the little Mew so much I want to see it every day.
My mouse is a Roccat Burst Air Pro. I’m super happy with how lightweight it is – and the fact that it lights up in all colours of the rainbow.
Every now and then, I join the guys in our weekly podcast. That’s why Phil gave me a pretty decent Rode Podcaster microphone. I added a microphone arm – also from Phil – and a shock mount as isolation from vibrations on my desk.
My headphones? The Bose Soundlink, which are already pretty worn out. They’re so old they’re not even features in our range anymore. However, I still find them really comfortable and am super happy with their sound quality when I’m listening to music. Having said that, if any more tiny parts crumble off that I can’t replace, I might buy the successor.
Additional sound is provided by my small Logitech loudspeakers. I got them as a gift and they do their job – even when I turn up the volume on Angus Young’s riffs while editing my photos.
A small jar keeps my desk tidy. A good friend made it for me. It’s not supposed to be washed, so I use it to collect scraps of paper and the like. To keep my mind tidy, I always have paper and pens handy. Fellow editor Domagoj gave me this notepad from a Pikmin fan package. To keep a good (over)view, there’s always a cleaning cloth for glasses somewhere on my desk.
If you’ve missed an episode of our desk setups, here’s the full list:
Samuel:
David:
Flo:
Jan:
Kevin:
Domi:
Tinu:
In my world, Super Mario chases Stormtroopers with a unicorn and Harley Quinn mixes cocktails for Eddie and Peter at the beach bar. Wherever I can live out my creativity, my fingers tingle. Or maybe it's because nothing flows through my veins but chocolate, glitter and coffee.