Joyful Design Desk Setup in New York City, US
Name: Rina Miele
Location: New York City, US
Occupation: Creative Director + Designer
Room size: 13 m² (142 ft²)
Social media: Instagram, Twitter, Honey Design & Rina Rentals
Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself
I’ve been freelancing full-time since 2010, creating multifaceted experiences and solving problems that encompass a variety of brands.
Sometimes, I work with large companies — Starbucks, Stoli, Nike, Estée Lauder, Weta Workshop, Discovery, Harvard, Unilever, Newsweek, Gerber, Michael Kors, Samsung, Jet Blue, Nintendo, HBO, Bayer, Univision (and beyond).
And other times, I work with small start-ups making natural soap, as well as individuals who become Grammy-winning singer-songwriters.
I started doing mostly digital when it was new and print was still the main media. But now everything is digital, and I’ve grown beyond just marketing for screens.
Over the last few years, I’ve been involved with larger branding projects that include strategy, identity, interactive design and packaging.
Something fun: I’m fascinated by birds.
I dedicate a lot of my time to photographing them.
I’ve been getting deeper into video as well.
It’s quite a challenge but certainly worth it when you’ve captured some beautiful and exciting moments in nature.
Take us through your setup
| Item | Model |
|---|---|
| Monitor | Apple Studio 5K Display ×2 | Desktop | Apple Mac Studio M1 Max 64GB | Laptop | Apple M1 MacBook Air |
| RAID hard drive unit | Philips Hue Play ×2 |
| Speakers | Kanto YU4 and SUB8 |
| Headphones | Apple AirPods Pro 2, Apple AirPods Max |
| Keyboard | Logitech MX Keys, Logitech MX Palm Rest |
| Mouse | Logitech MX 3 |
| Accessories | ProGrade CFexpress B Card reader, GTECH Atomos Caddy SSD reader |
| Games | Nintendo Switch, Analogue Pocket |
| Desk | IKEA Jerker Beech |
| Chair | Herman Miller Embody |
| Desk mat | Grovemade Large Matte White |
| Web camera | ATEM Mini, Canon R ×2 |
| Microphone | RØDE NT-1, PSA-1 |
| Audio | RØDE AI-1 XLR Input, Elgato Stream Deck |
| Printer | Canon Imageprograf Pro 1000, Canon PIXMA TS9100 |
| Lights | Aputure 120D ii, Philips Hue Play Bars, Aputure MC |
| Furniture | CB2 Go-Cart White Rolling Desk, CB2 Go-Car Rolling Side Cart, CB2 Go-Cart Filing Cabinet ×2, CB2 Stairway White Wall Mounted Bookcase ×2, IKEA Kallax 5x5 Book Shelf, Simple Human 25L Slim Open Can, Eames Molded Plastic Side Chair |
Two large screens. Fast computer. Get it done. Since 2010.
Designing “on-command” à la without inspiration can be super tricky, but it is literally my job as a creative director and designer.
I have to make something out of nothing.
And it’s exactly why I like to surround myself with things that comfort and inspire me.
You’ve got to feel at ease, so your mind has room to think. If you’re a ball of stress and tension, that idea will never come.
I’ve got a lot of the best tech available, but that in and of itself doesn’t get the work done.
Sure it can facilitate things with speed or ease, but it doesn’t make creative decisions.
I’m more than my Mac. They are just tools.