Workplace essentials: we asked five creatives what helps their day go that little bit smoother

At TBI, we’re all for healthy and comfortable work environments. We believe that creatives of all roles, and all levels, create their best work when they are well-rested, nourished, and happy. Let’s face it, the workday isn’t always going to be easy, but there’s nothing like a good playlist or morning routine to help see you through the day. We asked five creatives we admire what things – whether that be music, podcasts, coffee, snacks or stationery – help make their workday just a bit nicer?

“I work from home and do most of my designing at my desk or the dining room table, but around 5pm, when there’s only about an hour and a half left before I log off, I’ll often reward myself by finishing out the work day reclined on my bed. This feels like a somewhat shameful thing to admit because the unspoken first rule of working from home is ‘don’t work from bed!’ but I find in small doses it can be a nice treat that helps me to push through the end-of-day slump, and to feel a little deservedly spoiled.”

— Elizabeth Goodspeed, independent designer and writer 

Starting my day with the perfect flat white is an absolute must!

“Starting my day with a cup of matcha provides a calming boost of energy, helping me stay focused and productive throughout the day. The ritual of preparing and savouring my matcha allows me to centre myself and approach work with a clear mind. Additionally, the refreshing bike ride to the office, accompanied by soothing folk music, not only gets my blood flowing but also sets a positive and relaxed tone for the day ahead. The gentle melodies of folk music continue to accompany me during the day, providing a pleasant and calming backdrop as I tackle my tasks. These elements combine to create a peaceful and energising workday experience, making collaboration and problem-solving much smoother.”

— Estelle Monteillet, Creative Director at Dothings

"Starting my day with the perfect flat white (never sugar) is an absolute must! It’s my only vice and the first step of a morning ritual that sets my focus for the day ahead. Before I dive into work, I take a few minutes to read – right now, it’s The Moderns – a gift from Brian Collins and an absolute bounty of inspiration. Looking back at earlier eras of design (midcentury in the case of The Moderns) is a visual adventure into past forms, ideas, and our craft which is the purest form of brain fuel for me. The final mainstay of my daily trifecta is my trusty notebook, it’s always right next to me for when I need to scribble down or revisit random seeds of thought. This is a great source of reference when I’m ideating.”

— Craig Parsons, Founder & Creative Director at PARSONS

“Here are my must-haves: a hot latte with almond milk, my cat sitting around me, and the Amy Winehouse Live BBC playlist.”

— Margot Lévêque, Art Director & Type Designer

I’ve been working when inspiration hits instead of forcing myself into a 9-5.

“I was struggling to come up with answers to this seemingly simple question and finally realised why – for the past few years I’ve been working when inspiration hits instead of forcing myself into a 9-5 schedule which helps me stay motivated. Sometimes I work for two hours or if I’m in the zone I'll lean into that burst of inspiration which could even be on a weekend. If I do have a long day, a good playlist that’ll energise me when I start to get tired is a must along with a delicious and nutritious meal to power me through.”

— Badal Patel, Creative Director & Founder of Super Spicy Studio