Name: R.U.I
Location: Osaka, Japan
Occupation: Web Engineer
Room size: 10 m² (108 ft²)
Cost of setup: $3,6K
Social media: X
Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself
I write a blog [in Japanese — editor’s note] focused on gadget reviews under the theme “Stimulate your life with gadgets and things.”
During the week, I work as a web engineer and marketer for an e-commerce site management company.
I work remotely from this desk once a week.
I’m also passionate about cameras and photography — my favorite is the Leica Q2!
Take us through your setup
| Item | Model |
|---|---|
| Monitor | JAPANNEXT JN-VG34100UWQHDR | Monitor mount | COFO Zero Gravity Monitor Arm Pro |
| Monitor light bar | BenQ ScreenBar Halo |
| PC | Mac Mini M2 Pro 2023 |
| Speakers | SONY SRS-XB23 |
| Headphones | SONY WH-1000XM2 Beats Solo3 AirPods Pro |
| Keyboard | HHKB Professional HYBRID Type-S |
| Mouse | Logitech MX ERGO S |
| Desk mat | Minimal Desk Setups Desk Pad |
| Desk | Palmwork Elevating Desk |
| Chair | Palmwork Chair |
| Desk shelf | DIY |
| Tablet | iPad Pro 11″ 2021 |
| Strip lights | TP-Link Tapo L900-5 |
| Web cam | BenQ ideaCam S1 Plus |
| Left hand device | Loupedeck Live S |
My desk setup is wood-based, built around a single plank I purchased from a home improvement store.
The room is small, located at the end of the bedroom, but the width spans a solid 160 cm.
There is only a little natural light coming in, so my photos often have a dark, atmospheric feel.
In such cases, LED strip lights come in handy.
They’re a must-have if you’re aiming for a photographic lighting effect.
Makers
I have a lot of stuff, so I’m trying to reduce the number of things I own — though it’s been tough to cut back.
Recently, I started using an iPad Pro as a sub-display, and now I’m looking for a proper cable to keep the setup tidy.
What’s your favourite item on your desk?
This is a homemade desk shelf, measuring 1100×200 mm.
After a long search, I finally found a single piece of wood that I really liked.
I sanded the wood, coated it with Watco oil, and put it to use.
The legs are attached with double-sided tape, making the height adjustable as needed.
Currently, I have a Mac mini on the bottom, so I’ve set it a bit higher.
Products sold in shops are functional and beautiful, but I wanted something unique, so I chose a single wooden board with natural “ears” [Japanese word for irregularities or live edges in this context — editor’s note].
The initial cost was steep, but luckily, I found a scratched piece of wood, which brought the price down to around ¥5K ($32).
A perfect find for wood lovers!
Makers
What apps or tools do you use to get things done?
I like Notion.
It’s where I draft blog posts and consolidate various notes in my personal life.
I even created a database to manage my anime-watching.
I love how versatile Notion is — it lets me do so much with just one tool.
At work, I use it as a repository for memos and manuals, and I absolutely love it.
What books, blogs, or podcasts recently caught your attention?
One book that recently inspired me is Chance by Inukai Turbo.
A senior colleague recommended it to me when I was struggling with decisions about my future.
It helped me organise my thoughts, and I’m happy with the outcome.
I read e-books on a folding smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold4.
Any tips for other makers who want to improve their workspaces?
Tidy up the desk.
Create desk space and maintain clear margins.
A cluttered desk leads to cluttered thoughts.
The blank space on your desk mirrors the clarity in your mind.
Choose lighting that’s easy on the eyes to minimise strain, as they’re highly sensitive to light.
Clean regularly to keep your desk organised and free of clutter — it helps maintain focus and a clear mind.
Makers
What does your typical day look like?
I wake up around 8 am and go to bed around 1:30 am.
On weekends, I sleep until noon ;-)
The first thing I do in the morning is make my bed and drink a glass of water.
The first app I open is Gmail or X (formerly Twitter).
I usually work for an e-commerce site management company and spend eight hours a day at my desk.
After that, I spend three hours working on personal projects.
When I’m not working, I enjoy reading manga, watching anime, and writing for my blog.
I only work from home once a week, but I’ve been doing so for about a year and a half.
I’d love to work from this desk more often if I had the chance.
Your tips for working from home?
The secret to working from home is to avoid temptation.
Start your day by visualising your work tasks and setting up a schedule, even if it’s just a rough plan.
When I feel sleepy, I switch to a standing desk to stay focused.
Coffee is essential for keeping my energy up.
For those new to working from home, my top advice is to organise your desk environment.
A comfortable desk setup and keeping distractions out of sight make it much easier to stay on track.
Consider investing in an electric height-adjustable desk. When the afternoon slump hits, standing while working can help you regain concentration.
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.
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