Input on workspace design

[cptn.nemo]

Hello everyone, I'm a graphic design student in Ohio starting a small side business building rustic/industrial desks and I wanted some opinions on what to include in my designs. I know this is mainly a graphic design thread area but I figured since it is still design this was the best place to ask this question.
Here is an example of the types of desks I'll be making, this is my personal work space for college work and art projects

I can build these in any size and layout that you can think of. For me personally I built a tall stand up desk so I can work sitting or standing. Since the Apple community is generally more focused on appearance and a sleek design than others I just wanted some opinions for you guys on what you would like to see in a workspace. I plan to hide the cords and cables out of sight and have an easy way for customers to do the same. I'll have offer options for shelves to hold eGPUs, printers, or anything else, and even USB/SD docks mounted in front under the desk. I'll probably have only a few designs online that people can choose from, and just add custom work if they don't like what there is to choose from. They'll be sturdy desks built to last and look excellent, quality is a concern for me as I hate cheap desks myself. So any thoughts at all you guys can give would be greatly appreciated, even if you hate the style

 

[cynics]

Like mentioned in the other thread, cable routing is a big concern for me. Maybe even just include velcro strips on models that don't have dedicate channels for cable management to strap wires to the legs.

I like the idea of maybe some sort of pass through for USB cables, like the pass thru in a conference table for the phone wire so they don't need to be draped over the edge. It would be neat to have "area" under it so you can unplug a USB device and drop the cable into it and put a cover on it. Not sure if that makes any sense...lol

I also see a lot of people get stands to increase the height of the monitor. So maybe something adjustable or the options for selectable heights per a customers order (like you have already in the picture).

Being a bit critical but the personally I don't care for the unfinished edge. Obviously that is subjective and I don't have good taste but I would expect to see a grove and thick piece of metal angle that matches the leg color there.

Something like this I guess.



But I don't have particularly good taste, nor am I in the market for a new desk so don't go changing anything on my behalf. Lol.

 

[eyoungren]

Not sure how this would factor in a design, but personally, I use no less than three monitors at work. At home I have six displays on my desk.

Most designers will us at least two. There needs to be enough room for at least that (two larger displays) plus whatever stuff a designer is going to want to put on the desk.

Just my two cents.

 

[MacGizmo]

I love Autonomous Smart Desks. Lots of sizes, top shapes, surface materials and color choice of the legs. Motorized, too. They really have done it right.

The problem with desks that aren't adjustable is that people have different tastes when it comes to height. Some like a higher table height, some like the standard 29" height. But then there are lots of people who want a little lower table height so their arms are down and bent at 90-degree angle.

The one I linked to can raise/lower from 24"-51" height. For me, that's the key.

The quality of the surface material is also important. Your desk looks nice and sturdy, but it's too dark for my taste. Going back to the link, I love the Bamboo option.

I guess what I'm getting at is that a desk is a big expense, and it's a very "personal" thing for many people. Unless you're able to affordably "customize" your desks, it would probably be difficult to produce them at any sort of scale and make enough money to be worth your time.

 

[kohlson]

I agree with the previous comments on some sort of "through the tabletop" option for cables. Some of these desks will be placed in corners, and to have cables between wall and table edge is not that clean. Also, from looking at your picture, the power strip is clearly not part of the design. Since desks may have multiple power requirements (monitors, i-thing recharger, computer power) consider mounting a small surge/power strip underneath the tabletop. Easy way to turn off all power (green!) and neatens things up a bit.

 

[cptn.nemo]

I love all your suggestions guys keep them coming thanks! These desks do follow a certain rustic/industrial barnwood style with the pipes and barnwood tops but theoretically I can customize anything. If someone wanted a bamboo top I can do that, or solid wood like mahogany or cherry. There will definitely be power strips installed under the top for cables, and I could probably find a way to tuck all cables inside the desk somehow too. I was thinking a long powerstrip built into the back, with a smaller USB/sd etc dock in the front. I hate walking around the back of my desk for USB or sd ports. The configuration will also be different, I'll include corner desks and different shapes for the tops. The whole idea is that the size and configuration is completely customizable in 4-6 inch increments. I'll work on the cord management for sure though as that seems to be important to many people. I know the pipe design is kind of a niche market so if it's not to your taste I understand. I was thinking of having just a cutout middle portion of the desk lifting from sitting to standing position, just so the monitor and keyboard lift, what do you guys think? Just make the whole desk lift up and down instead? I've just been reading about sitting to standing desks lately, and with the sit-stand desk top things you can buy online now for around $300 I thought I could take advantage of the idea and just build it into a desk. I sit and stand at my desk all the time it's very convenient

 

[MacGizmo]

The only problem I see with your concept of a sit/stand desk is that your design is strictly a stand desk unless you buy a stool for sitting that high up. I have (I think) the same chair you have in that photo. It's perfectly fine for 15-20 minutes at a time, but after about an hour it's not very comfortable for me.

Incidentally, I also have a Varidesk table-top model (the 32"). I love that I can set it on any flat surface, but I hate the size of the keyboard area. It's the same amount of space for the 32" as it is for the 40" — which is not enough for a full size keyboard, mouse and trackpad unless you want the mouse and trackpad way off to the side. Even then, there is minimal space to move the mouse around. I like a desk like you have with just a large flat surface.

 

[cptn.nemo]

The only problem I see with your concept of a sit/stand desk is that your design is strictly a stand desk unless you buy a stool for sitting that high up. I have (I think) the same chair you have in that photo. It's perfectly fine for 15-20 minutes at a time, but after about an hour it's not very comfortable for me.

Incidentally, I also have a Varidesk table-top model (the 32"). I love that I can set it on any flat surface, but I hate the size of the keyboard area. It's the same amount of space for the 32" as it is for the 40" — which is not enough for a full size keyboard, mouse and trackpad unless you want the mouse and trackpad way off to the side. Even then, there is minimal space to move the mouse around. I like a desk like you have with just a large flat surface.

Oh yeah that chair isn't that great, I didn't think to build my desk adjustable when i made it, but I will have desks where the entire top raises and lowers so there will be plenty of room for for everything. I love the idea of the veridesk but you're right it is too small. That's why I'm making these desks. I did add a foot rest bar to mine so that makes the chair more comfortable as my legs don't fall asleep. How often do you make use of your veridesk? Do you do an equal amount of work sitting and standing, and do you think you would use a desk with the entire top that raises like the veridesk?

 

[lucidmedia]

Unless you're able to affordably "customize" your desks

This is what we have done. We have some prototyping equipment in house and designed a parametric desk that we can scale up and down depending on the user's height. When we get a new employee we just throw a sheet of plywood on the CNC router, set their desired tabletop height, and "print" them a ready to assemble desk with little labor or waste.

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

This is what we have done. We have some prototyping equipment in house and designed a parametric desk that we can scale up and down depending on the user's height. When we get a new employee we just throw a sheet of plywood on the CNC router, set their desired tabletop height, and "print" them a ready to assemble desk with little labor or waste.

I'd love to see a picture of these desks. Have any you could share?