Minimal White Desk Setup in Turkey

Name: Helin Kil

Location: Izmir, Turkey

Occupation: Senior Product Designer

Room size: 20 m² (215 ft²)

Cost of setup: ~$3,1K

Social media: X

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

I’ve been a product designer for about six years, working on digital products.

My background in software led me to this field.

In high school, I was interested in programming but struggled to keep up with my peers.

During this time, I worked with UI/UX designers and became fascinated with their work.

I chose a digital design major at university and developed my skills.

Currently, I work at Homebox in London and also take on freelance projects through my own business.

Take us through your setup

I chose a room in my house with the best natural light for my workspace, and its size is ideal for a basic work area.

It took me about six to seven months to set up my workspace, but it’s not complete yet; I still have many changes planned.

Next, I plan to buy a wider and longer desk because I struggle to fit my notes and MacBook on the current one.

However, moving the new desk will be challenging since there’s no lift in my building and the stairs are narrow.

I’ll need to rent a moving van with a lift to bring large items up to my flat.

What’s your favourite item on your desk?

The favourite part of my setup is the speaker.

When I felt the need for a sound system in my setup, the IKEA VAPPEBY came to mind. Its design had caught my attention for a long time, and it has more than met my expectations.

What apps or tools do you use to get things done?

Design: Figma, Framer, Webflow.
Task management: Linear, Notion.
Browser: Arc.
Photo and video editing: Lightroom, Premiere Pro.
Communication: Slack.
Fun: Klack, Runcat.

My favourite software is definitely Figma.

After using Adobe XD and Sketch for a long time, transitioning to an application like Figma that meets all my needs was truly priceless.

What books, blogs, or podcasts recently caught your attention?

In recent weeks, I’ve started to become interested in architectural design and have purchased a few books to expand my horizons.

I don’t listen to podcasts often, but here are the books I’ve read recently:

Design of the 20th Century by Peter and Charlotte Fiell.

The Year Of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion.

How Design Makes Us Think: And Feel and Do Things by Sean Adams.

Eames by Gloria Koenig and Peter Gossel.

Eames by Gloria Koenig

From the couple’s earliest furniture experiments to their seminal short film Powers of Ten, this book covers all the aspects of the illustrious Eames repertoire and its revolutionary impact on middle-class American living.

Check price on Amazon

Any tips for other makers who want to improve their workspaces?

My advice to people looking to create a home office would definitely be not to rush.

Creating a workspace where you truly feel comfortable and productive takes time.

I believe that each piece should be chosen to fit both your needs and your preferences.

How to Set Up Your Desk with Monitor and Laptop

Turn your home office into a productivity powerhouse with these proven setup tips.

Maker StationsEditorial Team

What does your typical day look like?

In the morning, I usually wake up around 6 or 7 am and start my day with my personal grooming routine.

I don’t usually use my phone in the morning, but sometimes I open the Opal app to check my previous day’s app usage.

Then, I take my dog for a walk and come back home to make myself a nice cup of coffee.

I enjoy grinding and brewing my own coffee during the day.

Since I work remotely, my daily routine starts with checking and planning my tasks.

My day is spent working on my full-time job, and I work on personal and side projects outside of my regular working hours or on weekends.

In my free time, I enjoy playing games, and I have a few favorites like Stardew Valley, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Valorant.

Battlestations from Gamers Across the Globe

Tech lifehacks and personal stories behind each gaming setup.

Maker StationsEditorial Team

I’ve gotten so used to remote work that I’ve completely forgotten what office life is like.

I do have to go into the office now and then for some companies I work with, but I’ve spent most of my career working from home.

Honestly, I’m not sure I could handle the office environment anymore.

Your tips for working from home?

While working from home, I use a strategy I call Intermittent Focus to make my work and personal time more efficient.

I focus on work for an hour, then take a 30-minute break to exercise by walking around the house or doing some drawing.

I repeat this sequence throughout the day.

This way, I can fully focus for one hour, and during my well-calculated break, I give myself space to boost creativity and think.

Since starting this method, I’d say my productivity has increased by 30%.

How to Reduce Noise Distractions in Your Home Office

From soundproofing tricks to smart office layouts, learn how to reduce noise in your workspace with these ten proven tips.

Maker StationsEditorial Team

^{We’re a reader-supported publication. This article might contain affiliate links. It means we may receive a commission if you click a link and buy a product that our maker has recommended. The interview was done independently.}