Graphic Designer Workspace in the Philippines

Name: Kevin Paul Santos

Location: Metro Manila, Philippines

Occupation: Graphic Designer/Visual Identity Designer

Room size: 6 m² (64,5 ft²)

Cost of setup: ~$10K

Social media: Instagram

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

I’m a creative professional with over 14 years of experience in graphic design.

My work revolves around crafting visual identities that help brands stand out across various industries.

Currently, I work remotely as a senior brand designer for a US-based company, while also running a freelance practice and creating content about my workspace and life as a designer dad.

Take us through your setup

The defining features of my desk setup are its clean, minimalist, and ergonomic design — a space built for both function and inspiration.

It took me nearly five years to refine, with things getting serious in March 2020, during the peak of the pandemic, when the world was stuck at home.

That was when I started seeing desk setup posts on Instagram, which sparked my motivation to finally create a home office I could truly call my own.

However, this idea had been on my mind long before the pandemic, as I’ve been working from home since 2014. (See this IG post for reference).

One of my biggest challenges is space constraints — with a relatively small workspace, I have to be intentional about storage and organisation.

That said, one thing I truly appreciate is the natural light that fills my setup, as my desk faces a window.

For improvements, I’d like to enhance the nighttime lighting — perhaps by investing in warm ambient lights to create a cosier atmosphere: bright enough to keep me focused, but not so warm that it makes me sleepy during late-night work sessions.

As for my next upgrade? A 34″ ultrawide, colour-accurate monitor — a game-changer for both design work and content creation.

What’s your favourite item on your desk?

When I was just starting my content creation journey, Verses Co. reached out and offered to send me their Foundation Set — a beautifully designed collection of Bible verses.

Each week, you swap in a new card to reflect on, making it a simple yet meaningful way to stay rooted in God’s word.

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

My go-to software is the Adobe Creative Suite, as it’s essential for my work as a graphic designer.

For organisation, Notion is my tool of choice — it helps me keep track of notes, tasks, and everything related to both my design projects and content creation.

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

Three of my favorite books are Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns, How to Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul by Adrian Shaughnessy, and Draplin Design Co.: Pretty Much Everything by Aaron James Draplin.

I highly recommend them because they offer valuable lessons for creative professionals.

Win Without Pitching Manifesto challenges traditional pitching methods, teaching designers how to position themselves as experts, attract better clients, and charge their worth.

How to Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul provides practical advice on building a sustainable design career while staying true to your creative vision.

Draplin Design Co.: Pretty Much Everything is an inside look at Aaron Draplin’s journey — filled with bold designs, industry insights, and no-nonsense advice.

Draplin’s passion for design is contagious, and his approach to making work that matters continues to inspire me.

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

Prioritise ergonomics by investing in a good chair, setting your monitor at eye level, and keeping your posture in check.

Declutter and optimise storage to maintain a clean, minimal workspace while managing cables effectively.

While investing in quality gear might be pricey at first, it will save you a lot of money and headaches in the long term.

Lastly, personalise your space with decor that inspires you, making it both functional and a reflection of your creativity.

What does your typical day look like?

I usually wake up around 7:30 am and start my day with a quick prayer and meditation before going downstairs to make breakfast for the family and coffee for myself.

Breakfast is a family moment — I enjoy it with my wife and kids before diving into work.

Since my schedule is flexible, I work in focused sprints, tackling tasks while the kids nap and dedicating uninterrupted time to bigger projects at night.

I typically wrap up my day between midnight and 1 am.

Having worked from home for over a decade, I’ve built a routine that balances family, creativity, and productivity with ease.

Your tips for working from home?

I wouldn’t say I’m an expert at time management — working from home with kids is a challenge!

When they’re awake, I keep my door open so they know I’m always an “available” dad and husband.

Instead of fighting for focus, I work in small windows of time and save deep, focused work for the night when the house is quiet.

About two years ago, my mentor introduced me to a game-changing philosophy: “working around life.”

This mindset shift helped me let go of the frustration when life interrupted my workday.

Instead of trying to fit life around work, I learned to make work fit around life — carving out pockets of time to get things done while still being present for my family.

This shift didn’t just make me more efficient — it helped me embrace the moments that truly matter.

At the end of the day, my work is not my identity.

It’s simply a tool to design the life I want for myself and my family.

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