Keyboard Enthusiast Desk Setup

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You are reading Maker Stations — your Sunday newsletter, where we feature desk tours with makers and creators.

Name: Tristan Green (Captain Sterling)

Location: Texas, United States

Occupation: Product / Wedding Photographer

Social media: Instagram

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

My journey as a keyboard designer and photographer began when I graduated from college and started taking photos of my friends and our adventures.

Eventually, through sharing these images, I started receiving requests for graduation photos, weddings, and more.

A desk setup with an M1 MacBook Air on an Ugmonk laptop stand next to an HP Pavilion monitor displaying concert visuals, a KMG B65 keyboard with DCX Topaz keycaps, a Logitech Lift mouse, and a variety of plants surrounding the workspace

This inspired me to reach out to brands to build my photography portfolio.

Now I run my own photography business.

I collaborate with various brands as a photographer and videographer and also take on portrait work for clients.

A hand holding a Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens

Most of my projects involve creating content for mechanical keyboard, EDC, and setup-focused brands.

Sometimes I reach out to brands, and other times, they come to me.

I’m grateful for where I am today. I’ve been doing this for nearly a decade, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

If you have a dream, chase it!

Two years ago, I started designing keycap sets for custom keyboards, and it quickly turned into a passion.

Once I got into this hobby, I was drawn to how people create designs inspired by things that matter to them.

That’s when I knew I had to give it a try.

A close-up of a KMG B65 keyboard with bright orange DCX Topaz keycaps next to a white Logitech Lift mouse, placed on a light grey Orbitkey Slim desk mat

I fell in love with the process and have had the pleasure of working with so many wonderful artists and vendors in the space.

It’s awesome to see the community come together over these designs.

Some notable sets I’ve made (that are currently in stock or available for pre-order) are WS Entwined Flowers, DCX Dragon Darts, and KKB Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Feel free to find me on social media: I stream on Twitch as thecaptainsterling, share videos on YouTube, and stay most active on Instagram, where I have the largest following.

Take us through your setup

Item	Model
Monitor	HP Pavilion
Monitor light bar	BenQ ScreenBar Pro
Laptop	M1 Macbook Air
Headphones	PC37X
Earbuds	Between 3ANC
Keyboard	KMG B65
Keycaps	DCX Topaz
Cable	Wired In
Mouse	Logitech Lift
Desk mat	Orbitkey Slim
Laptop stand	Ugmonk
Chair	Branch Verve
Docking station	Cabletime
Wallpaper	Photos I shot at a Twenty One Pilots concert

I’ve slowly built my setup over the past few years, making small upgrades over time. So, it’s still a work in progress for sure.

I took my time finding an office space I liked and, once I found the right building, chose a room with great lighting that suited my needs.

A home desk setup showing an M1 MacBook Air on an Ugmonk stand, a monitor playing a Twenty One Pilots concert, a KMG B65 keyboard with orange DCX Topaz keycaps, and various plants near a window with blinds

Now that I have good natural light, it’s a refreshing change that does boost my productivity, but I’m still looking for better ways to stay organised.

My setup is powered by the M1 MacBook Air, which serves as my editing workhorse.

I also use an Analog note-taking system to organise my tasks and stay on track.

A wooden Ugmonk desk organiser holding to-do cards, surrounded by scattered handwritten notes and stationery on a wooden desk

At the centre of my desk setup is one of the custom keyboards from my rotation.

Right now, it’s the KMG B65.

A desk setup showing a KMG B65 keyboard with bright orange DCX Topaz keycaps on an Orbitkey Slim desk mat, alongside a white Logitech Lift mouse

The biggest challenge I faced was configuring a streaming setup.

My old computer was outdated, and upgrading was a lengthy process due to the cost involved.

I’d love to upgrade my monitor to the Apple Studio Display, but as a family man, it might take some time to prioritise.

What’s your favourite item on your desk?

I’ve been using these Twenty One Pilots photos I took from their Clancy Tour as my wallpapers, and they definitely make me happy every day.

I also keep a few small trinkets on my desk, like a porcelain bull my friend brought me from Mexico and a Sora Digimon figure my other friend gave me for my birthday.

A close-up of a Sora Digimon anime-style figurine on a desk, positioned near a pen holder and partially in front of an orange keyboard

These little keepsakes remind me of my friends, family, and loved ones, adding a personal touch to my workspace.

As an avid collector and designer in the custom keyboard space, I’m always swapping out my builds.

Right now, my desk features the KMG B65 with DCX Topaz keycaps, which ties everything together perfectly.

A desk setup with an orange KMG B65 keyboard on a white Orbitkey Slim desk mat, accompanied by a Logitech Lift mouse, a Sora Digimon figurine, and a red and gold pen in a holder

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

My primary tools for work are Lightroom, Photoshop, and Premiere.

I also use Blender to create mockups for the keycap sets I design.

For keeping lists, notes, and sketches, I use a combination of Ugmonk Analog and Field Notes notebooks.

A hand holding a black Field Notes memo book with “48-Page Memo Book, Durable Materials, Made in the U.S.A.“ written on the cover, against a background of plants and desk equipment

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

I draw inspiration from many creators I follow on Instagram and X.

I love creative people, and seeing how they go about executing their ideas always excites me.

A desk setup with a M1 MacBook Air on an Ugmonk stand, an HP Pavilion monitor displaying a concert scene, KMG B65 keyboard with DCX Topaz keycaps, Logitech Lift mouse, and plants by the window

Some recent favourites of mine are Mod.Musings, oh.type, MVKB, Akuko Labs, and TylerKeyboard.

If you’re into photography, keyboards, or creative setups, you should definitely check them out!

Their ideas, setups, and designs are incredibly unique and always inspire me to improve and keep learning.

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

Go on Pinterest, Instagram, or X and find some inspiration.

Choose an aesthetic that resonates most with you and find pieces that make you happy and excited to go to work every day!

What does your typical day look like?

I wake up at 6:30 am and usually crash around 10:30-11:00 pm.

In the morning, I get my son ready for school and make my coffee.

A workspace setup with a M1 MacBook Air on an Ugmonk stand, an HP Pavilion monitor showing a fiery concert scene, a KMG B65 keyboard with bright orange DCX Topaz keycaps, a Logitech Lift mouse, and lush plants in the foreground

I usually check Instagram or Discord first to stay updated on any business projects.

During the day, I work on fulfilling photo and video projects for clients, saving personal content for the last hour or two of my workday.

I always prioritise paid work, and once my list of tasks for the day is complete, I’ll work on passion projects.

Sometimes, at the end of the week or if I have a slow day, I’ll play a bit of Honkai Star Rail or Zenless Zone Zero on the PC.

A hand holds a circular camera lens filter against a blurred indoor background with plants, showcasing the “Everyday“ branding on the filter’s rim

I’ve been working from home for around three years now.

Covid gave me the push to take the leap and pursue this creatively, and for that, I’m grateful, even though it was such a difficult and tragic time for everyone.

It’s still unsettling to think about how bad things became.

Your tips for working from home?

Working from home can make it hard to get going sometimes — you’ve just got to tell yourself, “Okay, it’s time to get to work, lazybones,” and dive in.

I’ve found that having a dedicated workspace really helps me focus.

A couple of months ago, I finally rented an office outside my house, which has been a game-changer.

At home, I was limited to spaces that were safe for my son, and my wife wasn’t too thrilled about me cluttering up the house.

A desk setup with a Branch Verve chair, an M1 MacBook Air on an Ugmonk stand, an HP Pavilion monitor displaying a concert scene, a KMG B65 keyboard with DCX Topaz keycaps, and plants adding a natural touch to the workspace

I’m trying to break my phone addiction and cut down on doomscrolling at the moment.

While it’s sometimes a source of inspiration for my content, I often end up spending too much time on it.

My time management could definitely use some work.

A hand holding a pair of Between 3ANC earbuds in their white charging case, with green plants in the blurred background

When I really need to focus, I make a task list, pop in my earbuds, turn on Twenty One Pilots, and get stuff done!

This method works for me and keeps me fully locked in on achieving my goals.

My morning ritual is pretty chaotic.

I’m up around 6:30 am to get my son ready for school before heading to work.

I always make time for a latte while he watches cartoons, and right now, my go-to is a Pumpkin Spice Oat Milk Latte.

An M1 MacBook Air on an Ugmonk stand next to an HP Pavilion monitor displaying a concert, with a Branch Verve chair and plants around the desk

I believe the best approach is to experiment with different methods to improve focus.

For me, making task lists is key — crossing off each item gives a real sense of progress and motivation.

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