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You are reading Maker Stations — your Sunday newsletter featuring desk tours with makers and creators.

This project runs on good desks and good people. A shout-out to Adam, our latest Productivity Patron — a photographer and filmmaker from Sacramento, CA.

His extra-long desk is split in two: one side for deep digital work (editing, research, client calls), the other for analog thinking — mostly writing scripts by hand in a notebook.

“It’s been super helpful to disconnect from digital to stay creative.”

Adam’s releasing a fantasy short film on May 9th — trailer’s live now:
👉 Watch it here

Thanks to members like Adam for keeping Maker Stations alive. Become a Patron.

Now, let’s get into this week’s setup.

Name: Med Badr Chemmaoui

Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Occupation: Sr Product Designer, Design Manager

Room size: 23 m² (250 ft²)

Cost of setup: ~$6-7K

Social media: Instagram

Website: Med Badr Chemmaoui

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself

I am a seasoned Product Designer with 8+ years of expertise in crafting digital solutions that seamlessly blend functionality, strong UX, and aesthetics.

Beyond design, I’m a photographer and content creator passionate about storytelling, with a side interest in the art and craft of typography.

A person wearing Sony XM5s is writing in a notebook at a desk setup with dual Apple Studio Displays, Audioengine A2s speakers, a Logitech MX Master 3S mouse, and a Grovemade desk pad

Take us through your setup

Item Model
Monitor Apple Studio Display ×2
Monitor light bar Xiaomi Mi Light Bar
Laptop MacBook Pro M1 2022
Speakers Audioengine A2+
Headphones Sony XM5s
AirPods Pro
Keyboard Custom mechanical keyboard
Mouse Logitech MX Master 3S
Desk mat Grovemade Felt Desk Pad
Mouse mat Grovemade Leather Mouse Pad
Chair Herman Miller Aeron
Desk shelf Twelve South Curve Riser
Laptop stand HumanCentric Vertical Laptop Stand
Tablet iPad Pro 13-inch

My workspace is built for design, photography, and video editing.

It strikes a balance between function and aesthetics.

A dual Apple Studio Display setup with Xiaomi Mi Light Bars, Audioengine A2s speakers, a custom mechanical keyboard, a Logitech MX Master 3S mouse, and Sony XM5s on a felt Grovemade desk pad

It’s clean, intentional, and always evolving.

Natural light plays a huge role, making long hours in front of the screen much easier.

At the core of my setup are a large desk (FlexiSpot), an ergonomic chair (Herman Miller Aeron), and the Studio Display — which I landed on after testing several monitors.

A Herman Miller Aeron chair next to a white desk with a Grovemade Felt Desk Pad, near a window and a wall calendar, with a monstera plant on a small round wooden side table

The choice of the Studio Display came down to colour accuracy, sharpness, and seamless integration with my workflow.

Positioning the desk was a key decision.

I placed it to maximise natural light without causing glare.

I’ve also incorporated light management solutions like the BenQ and Xiaomi lightbars for a more comfortable viewing experience.

This setup has been years in the making — constant tweaks, repositioning, and refining.

A shelf with design books, a mechanical keyboard, a Mamiya RB67 camera, a vintage Minolta camera, a small white clock, and a black storage box with a silver watch on top

The biggest challenge?

The trial and error of figuring out what works best. But that’s part of the process.

Right now, the flow feels great, but I’m already thinking about better storage for my gear and upgrading my mic setup.

A workspace is never truly done.

It’s a work in progress, and that’s what keeps it exciting.

What’s your favourite item on your desk?

It’s a tie between my mechanical keyboard and the Studio Display — both because they get the most use.

The Display is essential for my work, providing the accuracy I need for design, photography, and video editing.

A dual Apple Studio Display setup with Xiaomi Mi Light Bars, Audioengine A2s speakers, a custom mechanical keyboard, a Logitech MX Master 3S mouse, and a Grovemade Felt Desk Pad, with a camera and headphones on the side