Most of us think that a workspace is just a place to get the job done. But to some, it is more than just a room, it’s a reflection of the individual's unique personality and a canvas that tells a story without uttering a single word. Whether you're an artist, a designer, or simply someone feeling creative, your workspace is an extension of yourself, revealing your passions, quirks, and the essence of your creative spirit.

In this edition of DESIGN SPEAKS, Manila Bulletin Property Living interviewed Lloyd Carig, 37, a photographer based in Vancouver, Canada. Carig shared insights into his workspace setup, providing practical inspiration for those seeking ideas to style their own rooms.

Carig, who has a nine by seven feet den in his apartment as his workplace, started tweaking it in late 2021 when he began working from home. "When I moved here, I had a 72-inch desk that pretty much took up the entire left wall. So, I had to make some changes, moving things around until I finally felt like I have the best layout I could get in this small space – productivity-wise – and without compromising the aesthetics."

On designing the room, he said that he had a particular vision in mind, but there are also times when things came together organically. His main concern was on how he would illuminate and make the room feel alive as the den has no windows.

“When I started building my space, I was just adding pieces that would complement each other. I was also looking at other workspaces on Pinterest and IG, even finding inspiration from content creators like Michael Soledad’s office. All I wanted was to have a workspace that was aesthetically pleasing and something that I can see myself spending hours in.”

Efficiency is the key aspect reflected in the design of his room. Spending most of his time at his workplace, from shooting to editing, he emphasized the importance of easy access to various tools.

“I love efficiency. It’s important that I have quick access to a bunch of random stuff to my right without the need to stand up from my chair. The lights that I use for photography are mounted on the wall, eliminating the need to set them up with light stands every time I need to shoot something. My overhead rig is ready to the left whenever I need to take some product photos, which doesn’t require propping up a C-stand or a tripod at all. I feel like that thing says something about me since I do want things to be done as efficiently as possible.”

For those inspired by his setup, Carig advised, “I think once you get into this desk setup or office space niche, it is a constant work in progress. There’s really no end game to it but take your time. All of us started exactly where you are now; this didn’t happen overnight. Be wise when spending your hard-earned money. Not because it’s expensive, meaning it's the best for your space. I saved hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, by buying used items on FB marketplace or anywhere online. Lastly, look for inspiration, check out other people’s setups but be cautious because what works for them might not work for you.”