Good or bad our environment affects the work we do and how well we do it. Illustrator Hayden Maynard takes a moment to share how his space keeps him humming along. Clean and simple does the trick.
Where is your studio?
My studio is a small desk in my living room. Just big enough for my laptop, tablet and a cup of tea!
What is a must-have for your work space?
A bowl of snacks and tea or coffee are essential to get the creative juices flowing for me. Everything else can be worked out.
How have you made your space functional for your process?
As a digital artist my needs are pretty minimal. The biggest functional design decision I made was to put my desk right next to the air conditioning unit.
Tell us a bit about your computer set up.
As bare bones as possible. A laptop on a cardboard box with a tablet in front. My space hasn't changed much since I was a poor college graduate.
What ‘decorates’ your space?
I am a poor decorator - the longer I work the more minimal and spartan my workspace becomes. I feel like the less things I have in my peripheries the better I can focus solely on my work.
What do you do (if anything) to set the mood for work?
Tidiness is a must! A place for everything and everything in its place. I cannot stand clutter and will clean before I work. Otherwise I find a good walk and a cup of tea are the best ways to get ready to work.
What inspirational item is a must for your space?
I have a collection of old sketchbooks I'll look at when I'm in need of inspiration. Looking at the artwork I do just for myself gets me excited about drawing all over again. It's a very positive feedback loop.
What if anything would you change about your space? Any dream setups that you aspire to?
I would like to work surrounded by plants but have neither the attention or skill to keep that many houseplants alive. Plastic plants would set the wrong mood. I'm trying to grow a collection of succulents at the moment as they're the only plants I don't seem to kill.
View Hayden Maynard’s illustration. Represented by i2i Art.