Name: Arek Kajda

Location: Kassel, Germany

Occupation: Independent 3D Illustrator/Designer

Room size: 16 m² (172 ft²)

Cost of setup: ~$5,5K

Social media: Instagram, X

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Arek, and I’m a Germany-based illustrator and visual designer.

I create happy 3D visuals for brands and digital products.

As an independent designer, I manage everything from art direction to execution, focusing on developing 3D assets, including illustrations and animations, primarily for brands and SaaS companies.

I’ve always worked from home, and I truly enjoy the flexibility and freedom.

A cosy desk setup with a Wacom Cintiq 22HD tablet, a custom-built keyboard, and a vibrant orange Computer-1 (TE) case, with a LEGO car and a MIDI keyboard placed on the windowsill next to a leafy green plant

Take us through your setup

Item Model
Monitor Samsung Space
Tablet Wacom Cintiq 22HD
PC case Computer–1 (TE)
Operating system Windows 11 (64-bit)
GPU MSI Geforce RTX 3060 Aero
Memory 2× Samsung 32GB DDR5 4800Mhz
CPU Intel Core i9-12900F Alder Lake
Laptop MacBook Pro M1 (secondary machine)
Mouse Lofree Touch
Headphones AirPods Max
Macropad Work Louder
Keyboard Custom built
Chair Vitra EA 117

My home office is approximately 16 m² and is the darkest room in the house, which also makes it the coolest in the summer.

I prefer this space because the low light prevents reflections on my screens, which is why I usually keep the window blinds down.

A well-lit desk setup with a custom-built keyboard with orange accents, a Computer-1 (TE) case, a Wacom Cintiq 22HD tablet, and a Work Louder macropad

On my desk, I have my custom-built PC connected to a Samsung Space 27″ display and a Wacom Cintiq 22HD.

I share the office space with my wife (and our cat, Tony).

A tidy workspace with a central Samsung Space monitor, flanked by a Wacom Cintiq 22HD tablet, an orange Computer-1 (TE) case, and a yellow lamp, with a custom-built keyboard and a “Creative Department” cap

We each have identical custom-built desks featuring black metal frames and wooden tops, positioned opposite each other.

To add a cosy touch, we’ve mounted a wooden IKEA cabinet on the wall.

A home office with a Vitra EA 117 chair where a ginger cat stretches, a Wacom Cintiq tablet on the desk, and a vintage Bianchi bicycle leaning against the wall

What’s your favourite item on your desk?

Definitely my mini PC.

It’s one of the reasons I finally made the switch to Windows.

A close-up of a bright orange Computer-1 (TE) PC case

I used to work exclusively on Mac, but as my renderings became more intense, I needed a more powerful setup.

I was aiming for something unusual and compact, so when TE announced their new mini PC case, I was sold.

The assembly process was like building with Lego, which made it even more enjoyable.

An unassembled orange Computer-1 (TE) PC case lays flat on a wooden surface, with its metal panels, screws, and cables neatly arranged, ready for assembly

It was my first-ever build, and it’s still running like a charm.

Turning on my PC in the morning by flipping this little analog switch feels like starting a jet, but at the same time, it’s really silent.

A stylish room with framed posters on the wall, a large green plant, and a ginger cat playing near the desk, while a bright orange Computer-1 (TE) case sits on a wooden cabinet next to a lamp and design books

The end result is more than just looking awesome — it’s a powerful machine that meets all my needs.