10 Must-Have Desk Gadgets For Designers in 2024

6. Weigh down, we go

If you work with a lot of paper, you might want a paperweight. Keep those papers in place or, at the very least, make them look cool.

• ‍Kima Design Wooden Cube Paperweight: This paperweight is made from natural materials and doubles as a pencil holder. It’s perfect if you have a natural woodsy theme for your office. It’s listed in the UK for $25.‍
• Smithsonian Blue Mineral Globe Paperweight: If you love to travel and whenever you’re not designing, you’re planning your next getaway, this paperweight is for you. Hand-painted and hand-polished, this paperweight maps the countries of the world, and it’s brought to you by the Smithsonian Museum. It’s currently on their website for $50.‍
• John Derian Right Eye Paperweight: This paperweight was handmade in New York by John Derian Company and shows a vintage right eye print. The print was cut and collaged onto handblown glass. This piece gives a unique touch to any creative space. Priced at $65.

7. Let’s get loud

If you’re a designer working with a team, you’ll know how important a good working microphone is. Make sure you’re heard in those virtual meetings with one of these three choices.

• ‍Aurora Collection Yeti Microphone from Logitech: The Yeti microphone from Logitech works like a charm. It perfectly accompanies your headset, mouse, and keyboard and comes in either pink or white. Regularly priced at $179.99.‍
• RODE NT-USB Condenser Microphone: This microphone by Rode is compatible with your computer and smartphone. Get ready to sound like you double as a smooth jazz singer when you’re swapping creative ideas with your team. Currently priced at $229.‍
• The Tula Mic: The Tula Mic is best used when traveling if you need to stay connected, sound great, and don’t want to lug around anything big and clunky. It's a studio-quality USB-C microphone with a built-in noise reducer. It is priced at $259.

8. Listen to the sound

Along with a great microphone, you’ll likely need some headphones to keep background noise away and hear your coworkers during creative jam sessions. Here are three great options for your hearing needs.

• ‍Apple Airpods Max: These Apple headphones come with active noise cancellation, personalized spacial audio with dynamic head tracking, and up to 20 hours of listening time from a single charge. Available on the Apple website, they are priced at $549.‍
• MH40 Wireless Headphones from Master & Dynamic: These headphones are perfect for listening to multiple devices when you want to bounce back and forth from your computer to your phone. They come with Bluetooth, noise cancellation, and up to 30 hours of battery life. They are sold for $399.‍
• Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones: These over-the-ear headphones offer comfortable support with active noise-canceling technology and hands-free calling capabilities. They work with Bluetooth to connect to your phone or other devices. Available at Best Buy for $399.

9. A holder for the computer in your pocket

While you’re working, you’ll want to keep your phone protected and out of the way. Having a phone holder for your desk can help keep you less distracted when needed.

• ‍Bergenes Bamboo Phone Holder: This phone holder from Ikea has a simple wood design. While it’s not flashy with extra features, its natural look offers an understated solution to your phone storage problem, and it's priced at just $3.49.‍
• EZVALO Wireless Phone Charger: This phone holder acts as a charging station, a touch-activated lamp with 4 levels of light, and a Bluetooth music player. It has everything you need to keep your phone powered up, turn on some focus music, and get to work. It’s available on Amazon for $99.‍
• Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Phone Charger: This phone holder and charging station allow you to charge multiple devices at once. It offers a durable rubberized pad at the bottom so your devices will stay locked in place, for sale at Best Buy for $71.99.

10. Become a digital scribe

Whether you’re creating stunning lettering, illustrations, or logos, when working on a tablet, laptop, or drawing pad, it's best to have a good stylus pen. All graphic designers need one.

• ‍Apple Pencil 2nd Generation: The Apple Pencil (2nd generation) has low latency and pixel-perfect precision. It also supports double-tapping to change tools so you can continue working without putting the pencil down. Draw, sketch, color, and take notes. Available at Apple for $129.‍
• ZAGG Pro Stylus 2: The ZAGG Pro Stylus 2 really feels like it has everything. From wireless charging, dual-tip, tilt recognition, palm rejection technology, and long battery life, this is the stylus you need when you’re creating stunning visuals at your desk. Available for $79.99.‍
• Adonit Mark Stylus: This stylus is smooth, simple, and built to last. Use on any touchscreen for precision, smudge-free movement. This stylus is one of the more budget-friendly options if you’re looking for something that will last but won’t break the bank. It’s available from Adonit for $9.99.

We hope you loved our designer desk gadget finds. As a team of professional creatives here at The Futur™, we know what it’s like to make your creative space your own so that you can run a successful business.

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