Being productive at home is about getting the right things done, not everything done. That’s why we built Bento Focus.
Name: Robert
Location: Germany
Occupation: Cloud Architect
Room size: 15 m² (161,5 ft²)
Cost of setup: $2K
Social media: Instagram, TikTok
Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself
Hi there, I’m Robert from Germany, and I’m a Cloud Architect.
My journey actually started as a mechanical engineering student.
After I finished university, my first position was as a general IT consultant.
My great interest in cloud computing and programming began with my very first cloud-related project.
I have always tried to be open to new things and have always had a lot of fun learning new skills.
Programming is perfect for me because there’s always something new to learn.
Since I have a great interest in sports cars, I’m thrilled to work for a company that manufactures them.
Working 95% remotely means I spend a lot of time at my desk, which inspired me to enhance it.
It all started with a photo that I took with my iPhone.
After that, my journey to perfecting my desk began and continues to this day.
In the course of this journey, I taught myself how to edit videos, photos, and many other things related to content creation.
It’s just fun to play around and try new things when it comes to content creation.
A nice side effect is that I get cool tech stuff for free and can inspire others to improve their workspaces.
I currently have Instagram and TikTok but am considering starting with YouTube.
Take us through your setup
| Item | Model |
|---|---|
| Monitor | BenQ PD3420Q UltraWide | Monitor mount | Huanuo Monitor Mount |
| Laptop | MacBook Air M2, MacBook Pro M3 |
| Headphones | AirPods Pro, Logitech G Astro A50 |
| Keyboard | Logitech MX, EPOMAKER Ajazz AK820 |
| Mouse | Logitech MX Master 3S |
| Desk shelf | Woodcessories |
| Laptop stand | UGREEN |
| Web camera | EMEET |
| Air purifier | mosslab Moss Air |
| Watch holder | Star Wars: Darth Vader Gaming Controller Holder |
| LEGO collection | LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader Helmet LEGO Star Wars Captain Rex Helmet |
| Pen | Novium Hoverpen |
| Lights | Govee Smart LED Light Bars, meross |
| Chair | Designer chair |
| Standing desk | IKEA |
Being productive at home is about getting the right things done, not everything done. That’s why we built Bento Focus.
Comfort
One of the most important aspects of designing the perfect setup is ensuring you feel comfortable.
There are a few ways to easily achieve this.
In my opinion, the table must be height-adjustable.
There are plenty of low-budget yet high-quality options to choose from.
My desk is from IKEA, and I’m totally happy with it.
A comfortable office chair is the next must-have.
I have a designer chair which is pretty uncomfortable, but it looks too good.
I’m still looking for an ergonomic yet good-looking office chair though.
Desk accessories
Right from the beginning, I wanted to have nice things on my desk that put a smile on my face just by looking at them.
For me, it is everything related to Star Wars and minimalistic gadgets, e.g., an air purifier from mosslab.
I didn’t really have an idea how to set them in a nice scene, but after a while, you know what looks good.
Plants
Every desk needs plants.
They don’t just look great, they also bring a good vibe, if you ask me.
I have a big Strelitzia and a smaller cactus on my desk.
I’m currently thinking of buying a new plant.
Tech
A good desk is nothing without its cool tech gear.
Many content creators have fancy PCs that look amazing. And I’m too considering getting one, but for now, I use two Macs (one for personal use and one for work).
A good-looking webcam is also nice to have.
The most important thing, in my opinion, is the monitor.
I have a widescreen monitor, which works best for me.
A dual monitor setup is also pretty cool, but I’m team widescreen.
Light
If you want to start your own desk setup journey, one thing I can recommend is a good light setup.
A ceiling light is pretty important, even if you don’t see it on camera.
A good studio light is also worth every penny.
Last but not least, decent ambient lights are very important, especially a monitor light.
It took me almost four months to finally find my style, and it involved several changes along the way.
The process of changing the setup is the most fun part.
My next purchase is going to be a good chair and a better studio light to shoot more professional videos.
What’s your favourite item on your desk?
My favourite tech item on my desk is my widescreen monitor from BenQ.
It gives the whole setup a really cool, professional look and is also really handy.
You can always have two windows open at the same time, which is pretty handy if you are a programmer.
My favourite “designer” item is my Darth Vader Lego Helmet.
As a really big Star Wars geek, it not only looks cool but also looks super cool.
I’m thinking of buying a new one to add to my collection.
What apps or tools do you use to get things done?
I may be a little bit unique in this, but I am not using any tool for planning my work or my content.
Sometimes I write things down on a piece of paper, but generally, I keep every video idea and collaboration in my mind.
I was thinking about using software for this, as there are plenty of cool options out there, but for now, it’s sufficient as it is.
The only software I’m using is Notes for writing the captions of my videos, as it is much faster than on my phone.
What books, blogs, or podcasts recently caught your attention?
My favourite book is Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking.
As I’m very interested in science and physics, I love well-written books on these subjects.
Brief Answers to the Big Questions
“A beautiful little book by a brilliant mind” (The Daily Telegraph)
Check price on Amazon
When it comes to podcasts, my favourite is Gemischtes Hack [a comedy podcast — editor’s note]. It’s a German-language podcast, so obviously not known to everybody.
My second favourite podcast is The Joe Rogan Experience, which I listen to when I have enough time, as every episode is over three hours long.
Any tips for other makers who want to improve their workspaces?
The best advice for building a cool setup is to get inspiration online.
I’m not saying you have to buy everything you see, but there are really cool products that can boost your productivity and also increase your well-being at your desk.
Like I mentioned earlier, the most important things for me are a good monitor, a solid PC or laptop, and of course, some plants.
What does your typical day look like?
Since I work 95% remotely, the first thing I do when I wake up is grab a coffee and enjoy the sunshine on my balcony.
Normally, I just take a quick shower, have a quick breakfast, and start working straight away, as I’m most productive in the first hours of the day.
I typically work four to five hours straight before taking a small break, then work for another three hours.
I’m really glad that, since the pandemic, I don’t have to travel for work as much.
I still have to travel occasionally, but it is far less than when I started my first job.
I find that, due to staring at a monitor and sometimes dealing with pretty complicated tasks, doing something after work to clear your mind is very important.
I go to the gym every other day. If your body is productive, your mind will be too.
Right now, I’m trying to cut back on social media (like many of us), because I find it distracting.
Plus, spending too much time on it can put you in a bad mood.
For my side gig (rob_dsgn), I take a short break from my “normal” job and try to knock out tasks as quickly as I can.
I limit myself to spending no more than two hours daily on this; otherwise, it would simply be too much.
Your tips for working from home?
Working from home can be both a curse and a blessing.
One thing you have to keep in mind is that it is still just a job, and you have to carefully separate it from your personal life, even if you enjoy what you are doing.
This will help you find a good balance in the long run.
Take regular breaks to boost your productivity, and don’t forget to go outside occasionally.
I know this sounds crazy, but as someone who works remotely all the time, this can be a bigger issue than you think.
Go for a quick walk or meet friends in the evening. Otherwise, you might distance yourself from social environments and start feeling lonely.
We’re a reader-supported publication. This article might contain affiliate links. It means we may receive a commission if you click a link and buy a product that our maker has recommended. The interview was done independently.
