The right tools to get you started (in style)
You are sitting at your favourite cafe, sipping on your artisan hot beverage as you think about the task you have to achieve. Without even thinking twice you bring out the tools you need to accomplish it and away you go — creating up a storm with time to spare to finish that book you’ve been meaning to read. That intro is the dream for many creative storytellers when starting out as the tools we see on a daily basis aren’t normally the ones we need to begin our creative careers. Listed below are some choices that we use to allow us to work without having to second guess ourselves.
Laptop
Being able to pack up and go to wherever you want to work is a blessing. Many creatives take advantage of it as they crave a spontaneous lifestyle over being chained to a desk from 9 to 5. The freedom working mobile gives you are endless and let’s face it, if we don’t have to work from one place then why do so in the first place?
Notebook (no lines)
You can be a writer, graphic designer, musician — a notebook without lines is a recommendation we highly insist on. It allows you to be flexible and have your thoughts be put down in any form. I’ve used mine to write, draw out a calendar and sketch out website designs and everything else in between. Without the guides of the lines giving you restrictions, a blank notebook gives you unlimited forms to express your thoughts.
Pens
An obvious one, I know, but I just wanted to mention the pen and pencils that make my life easier. The erasable pens from Muji allow me to write in any colour without having to look at my mistake… Unless I want to.
Website
Two key reasons why a website is important
- It’s your chance to display your work, your way.
-Put all your information (contact, social media, work, blog) in one place.
It will give you and clients/fans a chance to get into your work and personality, without having them go onto several social media websites.
Water filter
It’s easy to spend your time working without remembering to hydrate. A water filter allows for you to keep your water in take up and apparently it’s better for you and it’s cheaper than bottled water.
Blue coating
If you spend a lot of time on devices and feel your eyes getting tired and strained you should go to an eye care professional about solutions to that problem. Some people relieve the strain with eyes drops and sprays while others get blue-coated glasses. Look into the options with your optician and get help to find out which solution is best for you.
Hard drive
Sometimes your work can involve create and downloading large files. A portable hard drive gives you the option to save files off your laptop.
GoogleDrive
If buying and carrying around hard drive isn’t for you then you might want to consider Google Drive. As long as you have Internet access you are able to upload, download documents as well as create them within Google Drive. This is perfect for saving back up of files, sending large files and working without needing to purchase additional software.
Work wardrobe
Using your energy each day to pick outfits is time consuming and frustrating. Having a dedicated wardrobe with pre selected outfits made for your work time will enable you to get ready without a hitch and have a divide into what you wear to work versus what you wear socially.
Jacket — Topman
Top — Zara
Bag — Ally Capellino (Available at Sefton)
Article by Shaneika Johnson-Simms
Photographed by Raphael Boamah-Asare
