Your home office/workspace

[Shannon Chenoweth]

So, I've been working on re-doing my room/office/workspace lately. In fact, I'm putting together a new desk today so I can work more efficiently (hopefully). :) Once I get it all done, I'll post some pics.
That said, I'd love to hear about your home workspace or office. Post pics if you can, just nothing too big.

[Chris McCarver]

I'm in the midst of rearranging the room a bit, due to my bookshelves collapsing under the weight. Once the new floorplan's down, I'll snap a couple pics.

Can't even reach my damn scanner with all the crap piled up on my desk...

[ClintP]

I will take some pics of my work office if you want. Can I contribute, even though I am not a cool artist type person? :)

[Chris McCarver]

I will take some pics of my work office if you want. Can I contribute, even though I am not a cool artist type person? :)

I'm BARELY a cool artist type person. ;)

[intercept789]

I'm a television/film editor by trade and even though places I usually work are designed to sit, I am thinking of designing my home edit suite so that I stand and work. A lot of editors work that way. Not sure if it would work for sketching or line art.

[Horn]

Hey Shannon,
I've got tons of ideas on this! Unfortunately, my office is a disaster area at the moment and I'm not taking any photos right now. Essentialy, my office is divided in to 6 areas. There is my computer work area where i paint, answer emails, and post threads! Then there is my drawing table area for penciling. I have an area where i keep all my convention stuff (including my suitcases). Then there is a visual storage area (shelves and a table top) where I can put current items, and also a closed storage area against the wall where I can put stuff that is only used once in a great while. Finally, there is a mailing area where i keep all my FedEx, UPS boxes and supplies. My first piece of advice is to get a HUGE outdoor garbage can with a 39 gallon bag. If you get the lawn and leaf bags without the red ties, you can strech it over the mouth of the can. This way you won't have an overflowing trash bin everyday to clean up. Second, if you have a wacom tablet, tie a string on your stylus and tape it to your desk. before i did this, I was misplacing my pen all the time! A back-up pen is also critical if you are serious.
This is a fun subject actually! I'd love to hear people's experiences with the following workspace subjects.
1 ORGANIZATION- The most important aspect of your workspace! How you organize papers, bills, tools, etc to increase workflow.
2 SECURITY- How do you guys protect your comps
3 RECOVERY- What do you do to prevent data loss?
4 STRESS RELIEF- What do you do when you are about to go crazy!
5 INSPIRATION- any books or other items you keep around the office that are inspiring to you?
6 PROGRAMS- Any uncommon programs that you could not live without?

[Shannon Chenoweth]

1 ORGANIZATION- The most important aspect of your workspace! How you organize papers, bills, tools, etc to increase workflow.

I've got files in my file cabinet that contain writing bits and pieces as well as printed scripts. That's mostly how I keep my writing projects right now. I've got stuff in my cabinet that dates back to my middle school writing days!
As far as bills and such, they go in my "inbox" for the current stuff I need to pay or pay attention to right away. Anything I need to keep for records goes in the file cabinet in the top drawer (bottom drawer is for my writing). Notebooks and writing pads are always at my desk and within arms reach no matter where I am. I've got writing pads everywhere.
And, I've got my current year receipts in a envelope folder at my desk for easy access. These are the things I can write off for the 2007 year taxes.


2 SECURITY- How do you guys protect your comps


Presently, all my copies of my comics are in a box. I need to find a better way to deal with that stuff once I start putting out more books.

[/quote]
3 RECOVERY- What do you do to prevent data loss?
[/quote]

I print up anything I complete script-wise. I have started to back-up my computer files on discs. I am planning on getting one of those online hard drives as well. Anyone have experience backing up stuff on those?


4 STRESS RELIEF- What do you do when you are about to go crazy!


Sometimes I go for a walk or a drive with no destination planned. It's amazing what that can do for me mentally, especially a walk. Other things I have found helpful include, reading a book/graphic novel I've found inspiring, watching something fun but "mindless" on TV, and calling up a friend and just bullshitting.


5 INSPIRATION- any books or other items you keep around the office that are inspiring to you?


The Tao of Writing
Kabuki
Writing Prompt Books (3AM Epiphany, etc)
Just looking at the books on my shelf, seeing what my favorite writers have done and accomplished gets me going
And, watching some movies/tv shows that have and continue to inspire me every time I see them (X-Files, Gilmore Girls, etc)


6 PROGRAMS- Any uncommon programs that you could not live without?

Final Draft. This is THE program I write all my scripts with. I love it. Yes, I can write without it, but why should I? :)

[ClintP]

Here is my view that I see every day. I love my work machine and screens!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/clintp/IMG00014.jpg

My book shelf that needs some more books. Good thing I have some toys on there!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/clintp/IMG00015.jpg

Movie Optimus Prime, big headed and hands spidey 3 spidey and venom, re-release Soundwave!, and a couple x-men minimates I got on clearance. You can also see my Batman bust that Pat from the board gave me. Is he not the most awesome?
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/clintp/IMG00016.jpg

Taki commission that I had done. I fucking love that picture! Old school spidey sense bitches!
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/clintp/IMG00017.jpg

My office view.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/clintp/IMG00018.jpg

[ClintP]

My first piece of advice is to get a HUGE outdoor garbage can with a 39 gallon bag. If you get the lawn and leaf bags without the red ties, you can strech it over the mouth of the can.

I like those contractor bags from home depot. They don't tear as easy and are really good for wood/nails/etc. I use them at home in my garage.


1 ORGANIZATION- I am still pretty new to my current job, but I am a fan of mass throwing shit away. If I haven't looked at it a week or so, it gets chunked!

2 SECURITY- Pressing windows-key + L?

3 RECOVERY- Save to network drive and Microsoft Visual Source Safe

4 STRESS RELIEF- Walk down stairs and get a drink. I am on the fourth floor and getting a little stair time helps. Also, when I drive home, I jam the music and by the time I get home, I am cooled down and happy go lucky again.

5 INSPIRATION- Microsoft Visual Studio Development books? I am thinking about bringing my old previews up here to flip through some when I need a break.

6 PROGRAMS- Firefox for surfing, and Visual Studios .NET 1.1 and 2.0.

[ClintP]

And, watching some movies/tv shows that have and continue to inspire me every time I see them (X-Files, Gilmore Girls, etc)


Nice!

[Shannon Chenoweth]

I LOVE that Taki Peter Parker Clint! I need to get Taki to do something for me sometime. I've got art I still need to frame and hang up though (I've got Oeming original art! :) )

I'll post pics of my area soon. I will probably do a series with it as I am still transforming/working on it.

[Horn]

These are all great suggestions--here's a few details of my own set up:
1 ORGANIZATION- Like I mentioned before, I try to have certain areas of my room set aside for different functions. I work in my garage so we are talking about a big room--like 20 x 20. My computer desk is gigantic--more like an entertainment center and I keep it about 2 1/2 feet away from the back wall. This way i can always walk around the back if there are electrical issues or I need to swap out a periphial.

2 SECURITY- I actually have 2 computers--one is for mail and posting on this wonderful message board. The other is strictly my work computer, and is never hooked up to the internet or network. I got a virus about 4 years ago which destroyed jpgs. luckily, it only got the jpegs on my mail computer (not a big deal, really). If you want ultimate security, my advice is to take your work computer off line completely.
3 RECOVERY- I am a back up nut! And i have done tons of research on the subject. I have dedicated internal hard drives which are scheduled to back up my new files twice a day on both comps. Additionally, I have a big plug-in external drive, and occasionally i will do a weekly back up of my Marvel files with that. i use a program called SolarSys Disk Shadow which i found on the internet years ago. This was back when "tape drive" back-ups were all the rage. I think tape drives was the stupidest fucking waste of money and somebody should be hung for making these things (you can see it still makes me mad!). It always seemed logical to me to back up a hard drive with ANOTHER hard drive--not a ponderous tape drive. It could take ten minutes to rewind from the end of the tape to the begininng. The tape drives were a scam the whole time, and probably the reason Iomega went down the tubes.
4 STRESS RELIEF- I like to play the piano--although I'm not really great at it. I also like to shoot Gi Joe guys with my airsoft guns :twisted: A hot shower is always good too... But the best stress reliever is hanging out with the kids!
5 INSPIRATION- Now that i think about this, i'll save it for a later post!
6 PROGRAMS- I love ACDSEE for image browsing and organization. I need to get through my files quickly when the deadlines are on, and Acdsee always works well.

I like those contractor bags from home depot. They don't tear as easy and are really good for wood/nails/etc. I use them at home in my garage.


I am still pretty new to my current job, but I am a fan of mass throwing shit away. If I haven't looked at it a week or so, it gets chunked!

- Pressing windows-key + L?

- Save to network drive and Microsoft Visual Source Safe

4 STRESS RELIEF- Walk down stairs and get a drink. I am on the fourth floor and getting a little stair time helps. Also, when I drive home, I jam the music and by the time I get home, I am cooled down and happy go lucky again.

Microsoft Visual Studio Development books? I am thinking about bringing my old previews up here to flip through some when I need a break.

Firefox for surfing, and Visual Studios .NET 1.1 and 2.0.

[Chris McCarver]

My studio/office is basically one of the bedrooms of our house. My computer desk sits along one side (with two framed pieces of Greg's we received as wedding presents sitting on the desk by my printer/scanner combo). Next to it is this makeshift recliner my folks made out of this old futon I had in my old apartment. I've got two heavy-duty bookshelves, one to carry my reference and how-to books (okay, okay, and my manga and my RPG books), and one for just random crap (including my old desktop PC). Lined up along the far wall near the window are (left to right) this old dresser I've had since I was in kindergarten, a couple two-drawer file cabinets, and my drawing table.

Pics:

http://www.chrismccarver.com/images/office1.jpg

The view from the door.

http://www.chrismccarver.com/images/office2.jpg

The PC workstation. With the Bendis Board up. Go fig.

http://www.chrismccarver.com/images/office3.jpg

The FBCD Hypersonic ashcan. Don't you wish you had one. ;)

[jess]

Wow, I really need to take y'all's advice. These are some really great ideas.

[Shannon Chenoweth]

http://www.chrismccarver.com/images/office3.jpg

The FBCD Hypersonic ashcan. Don't you wish you had one. ;)

Ha! Yeah, I know some people are really anticipating issue #1 too. I know the art is kicking ass on it. :)

[noestoyaqui]

Hey everyone! Prolly gonna sound silly but I straightened up my room just so I could take pics & post em on here. Look Greg! Your work & stuff based on your work is getting a good home!!!! Im curious about Elektra's sai's. Are they your design or someone elses? That is before her new sensai destroyed them during her Marvel Knights run. Im sure Chicago is FANTASTIC. Man! What id give to be there!
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k284/noestoyaqui/BedroomArea50.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k284/noestoyaqui/workarea50.jpg

[Horn]

Hey Stephen! I see the Emma #4 you got from me at Texas--is that a picture of us with it? Its hard to tell. Anyway, you inspired me to clean my office too, so i could take a pic of my drawing table. I built this table myself about 10 years ago when i was working on ESPers. It was originally 8 feet wide! I wanted it this big to increase my ability to do perspective-- with an 8 foot table you can plot out some really wide vanishing points!! A solid steel construction ruler was all you needed to make it work. The table was 4 foot from front to back in case I wanted to do a dynamic wormseye view (I'd have the vanishing point waaay at the top of the table). Anyway, now its a little more practical at 4 ft wide. You'll note that my table has a built in light box --I INVENTED THIS IDEA--don't let anyone tell you different. The round hole at the top left (oops-you can't see it in this pic) used to have a funnel which directed trash to a can.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u231/greg-23/FORUM%20PICS/GregHorndrawing.table.jpg

Hey everyone! Prolly gonna sound silly but I straightened up my room just so I could take pics & post em on here. Look Greg! Your work & stuff based on your work is getting a good home!!!! Im curious about Elektra's sai's. Are they your design or someone elses? That is before her new sensai destroyed them during her Marvel Knights run. Im sure Chicago is FANTASTIC. Man! What id give to be there!
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k284/noestoyaqui/BedroomArea50.jpg

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k284/noestoyaqui/workarea50.jpg

[Horn]

Im curious about Elektra's sai's. Are they your design or someone elses? That is before her new sensai destroyed them during her Marvel Knights run. Im sure Chicago is FANTASTIC. Man! What id give to be there!
Nope. Marvel sent me some color roughs of the sais just as i was about to start Elektra #3. I have no idea who came up with them. Eventually, a company made real sais out of steel--I mean you can buy Elektra's sais! I just don't remember the company's name.
Greg

[Horn]

Those heavy-duty shelves are a life-saver. I stack them on top of my lockers for maximized use of space..... but.... what I should really do is throw some crap away.
My studio/office is basically one of the bedrooms of our house. My computer desk sits along one side (with two framed pieces of Greg's we received as wedding presents sitting on the desk by my printer/scanner combo). Next to it is this makeshift recliner my folks made out of this old futon I had in my old apartment. I've got two heavy-duty bookshelves, one to carry my reference and how-to books (okay, okay, and my manga and my RPG books), and one for just random crap (including my old desktop PC). Lined up along the far wall near the window are (left to right) this old dresser I've had since I was in kindergarten, a couple two-drawer file cabinets, and my drawing table.

Pics:

http://www.chrismccarver.com/images/office1.jpg

[ClintP]

Is that duct tape holding up a screen in the background? Pretty cool idea about the hole and the funnel though.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u231/greg-23/FORUM%20PICS/GregHorndrawing.table.jpg

[Horn]

Duct tape?! You mean those grey things in the back? Those are the handles to my lockers--now i know you are just fucking with me! Anyway, I got a 20-ft wall full of lockers just to throw shit in. I got my GI joe collection in one, all the Marvel merchandise based on my work in another, one is for all my old comic books, and another is for books i never look at but can't bear to throw away, etc.
Back when me and my friends were heavy into car customizing, they used to call me "King Rig". If we didn't have the parts, I'd rig up some crazy substitute. Anyway, duct tape was one of my best friends back then.
Is that duct tape holding up a screen in the background? Pretty cool idea about the hole and the funnel though.

[ClintP]

Duct tape?! You mean those grey things in the back? Those are the handles to my lockers--now i know you are just fucking with me! Anyway, I got a 20-ft wall full of lockers just to throw shit in. I got my GI joe collection in one, all the Marvel merchandise based on my work in another, one is for all my old comic books, and another is for books i never look at but can't bear to throw away, etc.
Back when me and my friends were heavy into car customizing, they used to call me "King Rig". If we didn't have the parts, I'd rig up some crazy substitute. Anyway, duct tape was one of my best friends back then.

It looked like one of those privacy screens in the background that was falling apart and you put duct tape on there to keep it together. :lol:

Please don't tell me how you used duct tape on a car.... I think I will just die... :no:

I am a car guy and have posted my pic of my 69 chevelle on here in the past, but I will do so again for your benefit. I restored it with my dad in high school. Once we get our house built here in amarillo, the malibu shall once again rejoin me! Also, not one piece of duct tape on it!

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/clintp/69Malibu.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/clintp/MailbuEngine.jpg

[noestoyaqui]

Sure is!!! Its the pic mom took while you were signing at that booth. I also have 2 other signed works by artists that let me get my pic taken w/ them framed. I still live w/ my folks & dad said I could take over the den, thus it being formed into my bedroom/office/studio. Theres still a china cabinet, fire place, & chandeleer(however you spell it) in here. My work table is actually our old dining table LOL. Its 3.25 feet by 8 feet. Yeah most of its covered w/ computer & art supplies. So far, its funtioning. Sad thing is, my folks just bought land out in the country & my "work" table amoung a few other things are gonna go w/ them when they move within the next year hahaha. Hey Greg, can I have yours? hahaha JK

Hey Stephen! I see the Emma #4 you got from me at Texas--is that a picture of us with it? Its hard to tell. Anyway, you inspired me to clean my office too, so i could take a pic of my drawing table. I built this table myself about 10 years ago when i was working on ESPers. It was originally 8 feet wide! I wanted it this big to increase my ability to do perspective-- with an 8 foot table you can plot out some really wide vanishing points!! A solid steel construction ruler was all you needed to make it work. The table was 4 foot from front to back in case I wanted to do a dynamic wormseye view (I'd have the vanishing point waaay at the top of the table). Anyway, now its a little more practical at 4 ft wide. You'll note that my table has a built in light box --I INVENTED THIS IDEA--don't let anyone tell you different. The round hole at the top left (oops-you can't see it in this pic) used to have a funnel which directed trash to a can.
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u231/greg-23/FORUM%20PICS/GregHorndrawing.table.jpg

[noestoyaqui]

Nope. Marvel sent me some color roughs of the sais just as i was about to start Elektra #3. I have no idea who came up with them. Eventually, a company made real sais out of steel--I mean you can buy Elektra's sais! I just don't remember the company's name.
Greg

I have those sai's on my wall right below your Elektra # 17 poster. The company's name was Factory X. I saw them on display at the comic shop for a while & one day, the guy let me play w/ one. I thought they were like plastic or something but when I felt they were real metal & gem stones, I put them in lawaway.

Check it out! I spotted them on Smallville. In season 4, Lana gets posessed by a witch ancestor & fights Clark head on. She makes near by weapons float to her hands & one isnt just any sai, but your sai hahahaha. If you look closer, you can even see the "E" for Elektra on the handle tip. I wonder if the prop master knew thats what it was hahahaha.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k284/noestoyaqui/Kristinsai-1.jpg

[ClintP]

I have those sai's on my wall right below your Elektra # 17 poster. The company's name was Factory X. I saw them on display at the comic shop for a while & one day, the guy let me play w/ one. I thought they were like plastic or something but when I felt they were real metal & gem stones, I put them in lawaway.

Check it out! I spotted them on Smallville. In season 4, Lana gets posessed by a witch ancestor & fights Clark head on. She makes near by weapons float to her hands & one isnt just any sai, but your sai hahahaha. If you look closer, you can even see the "E" for Elektra on the handle tip. I wonder if the prop master knew thats what it was hahahaha.
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k284/noestoyaqui/Kristinsai-1.jpg

Horn's sais were used in a frontal assault on superman! That's wicked awesome!

[Horn]

?!?! That is sooooCOOL! Thanks Stephen. It always amazing to see where stuff like this turns up! I think the prop man is playing a little inside joke on DC.
Horn's sais were used in a frontal assault on superman! That's wicked awesome!

[Horn]

Whoa Clint! That is an awesome restoration job! The engine looks pretty immaculate too--congratulations! The fact that you did it with your dad, makes it twice as good-- my dad is worthless. Anyway, I'll post my old ride later... I have to find the pictures first. It was definitely one of a kind! I had a 92 Lincoln Continental with rear suicide doors. This was really difficult to engineer because the rear profile of the door goes around the wheel-well, so only a single 2" thick steel hinge was used to support the entire weight of the door!! The car also had double moonroofs, laser engraved fender emblems (you HAVE to see this), and the engine was mostly chromed out. It also had one of the most unbelievable stereos of all time. I used to enter it in shows--I placed first at Lowrider Magazine's Miami show, and I placed 2nd at IASCA World of Wheels way back in 94 or 95. Its not a restoration...but more of a major custom job. Its very clean style-wise-- I don't go for that "Pimp my Ride" crap...those guys make the cars so gaudy, I feel embarrassed for the people driving them! :Oops:
As for the rigging issue, There's no duct tape on the car, so don't die. My friends and i used to go to "sound off" shows (for stereo), and we were always rigging up some crazy thing to get the stereos ready in time. staples, L brackets,... you name it, I've used it! In one set up, we used free-air speakers on the back deck of a car--I used bondo to completely seal off the trunk from the interior of the car. Not pretty, but effective!
Anyway, as soon as I find the pics, I will post!

It looked like one of those privacy screens in the background that was falling apart and you put duct tape on there to keep it together. :lol:

Please don't tell me how you used duct tape on a car.... I think I will just die... :no:

I am a car guy and have posted my pic of my 69 chevelle on here in the past, but I will do so again for your benefit. I restored it with my dad in high school. Once we get our house built here in amarillo, the malibu shall once again rejoin me! Also, not one piece of duct tape on it!

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/clintp/69Malibu.jpg

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h89/clintp/MailbuEngine.jpg

[ClintP]

I went to a really small car show today and thought of you. It was more of the custom cars with more focus on audio and flash than details. I knew something was amiss when only ONE car had the hood open! :lol:
Whoa Clint! That is an awesome restoration job! The engine looks pretty immaculate too--congratulations! The fact that you did it with your dad, makes it twice as good-- my dad is worthless. Anyway, I'll post my old ride later... I have to find the pictures first. It was definitely one of a kind! I had a 92 Lincoln Continental with rear suicide doors. This was really difficult to engineer because the rear profile of the door goes around the wheel-well, so only a single 2" thick steel hinge was used to support the entire weight of the door!! The car also had double moonroofs, laser engraved fender emblems (you HAVE to see this), and the engine was mostly chromed out. It also had one of the most unbelievable stereos of all time. I used to enter it in shows--I placed first at Lowrider Magazine's Miami show, and I placed 2nd at IASCA World of Wheels way back in 94 or 95. Its not a restoration...but more of a major custom job. Its very clean style-wise-- I don't go for that "Pimp my Ride" crap...those guys make the cars so gaudy, I feel embarrassed for the people driving them! :Oops:
As for the rigging issue, There's no duct tape on the car, so don't die. My friends and i used to go to "sound off" shows (for stereo), and we were always rigging up some crazy thing to get the stereos ready in time. staples, L brackets,... you name it, I've used it! In one set up, we used free-air speakers on the back deck of a car--I used bondo to completely seal off the trunk from the interior of the car. Not pretty, but effective!
Anyway, as soon as I find the pics, I will post!

[Shannon Chenoweth]

I've got more work to do before I'm ready to photograph my area. Hopefully, I'll be able to get most of it done on my day off tomorrow. Pics soon though!

[ClintP]

I've got more work to do before I'm ready to photograph my area. Hopefully, I'll be able to get most of it done on my day off tomorrow. Pics soon though!

Pics yet?

[Shannon Chenoweth]

Pics yet?

Ack, not yet! I had a shitty migraine last Sunday, so I didn't get a lot done. I've been working 10 hour days (getting up at 4am... eek!) now, so I haven't had a lot of time once I get home. I'm off again Sunday and Monday, so I should have something soon.

[Shannon Chenoweth]

Pics coming tonight or tomorrow night for those interested...

(ok, so I lied... I just got a new bookshelf which is awesome because I have so many books... anyway, I'm going to take some pics for sure tomorrow :) )

[sketchartist '76]

Oh...can't wait to see it Shannon. I'm too in the process of remodeling a studio. I figure I'm still green...but wanna upgrade to "pro" status. It's actaully gonna be 3 areas..one with my drawing table...books...reference...supplies..etc. Sec..all computer stuff..including my L desk and insane Statue Collection..and third a sleeping and living area. I'll post pics as soon as I'm done.