Episode 032- Kevin Walton: Inside a Creative Workspace in Ontario

Episode 032: Kevin Walton

Kevin Walton

Freelance Creative Professional in Media & Design

Name: Kevin Walton
Location: Ontario, Canada
Occupation: Freelance Creative Professional in Media & Design
Room Size: 14’ x 15’
Desk Setup Budget: $17k+
Social Media: @iamkevinwalton

Product List Item 
Desk
Home Hardware 74’ x 36’ Oak Countertop. IKEA Standing Desk Legs
Desk Mount
Grovemade Walnut Desk Shelf
Chair
Lacasse Office Chair
Laptop 2021 16” Macbook Pro M1 Max
External Storage
LaCie 4TB Hard Drive
Tablet
 iPad Pro 11”, iPad Mini
Monitor Apple Studio Display
Monitor Light Bar Philips Hue Play Lights x4
Speaker
Logitech THX Speakers
Headphone
AirPods Max
Keyboard
Apple Magic Keyboard Space Grey, Keychron K4
Mouse
Magic Mouse in Space Grey
Desk Mat/Mouse Pad
Grovemade Desk Mat
Microphone Logitech Blue Yeti
Desk Lamp Home Hardware Lamp
Smartphone iPhone 15 Pro Max
Camera Canon R5 C with a 24-105mm lens
Clock TIDBYT Digital Clock
Charger
140W Macbook Charger
Watch
Apple Watch Ultra 2

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello! My name is Kevin Walton. I am a freelance creative professional in Ontario, Canada. I have a passion for creating things and expanding in the field of media and design. I have a strong love for Video, Photography, Web Design, Music, and business. I have been doing media for over 10 years, and have owned a business for about three years. 

With all the things that I do, I need a space to get that work done. And so, along the years, I have created the perfect desk setup that works for me. And along with that journey,, I have found a love for desk setups. I have been updating my setup over the years, carefully adding and changing how the station works for me. I have created a space that expresses my personality, while most importantly, allows me to focus on the most important work.

What’s your favorite item on your desk?

My favorite part of the desk has to be these Apple Studio Display 5K monitors. These are the heart of the desk. They are super crisp, clear, and are the perfect display for my work and the many types of work I do on them, from color grading, photo editing, and web design.

What books, blogs, or podcasts recently caught your attention?

When it comes to books, my favorite book has to be Make Time by Jake Knapp. This book teaches people the importance of planning out your day and making time for what really matters. One podcast that I always enjoy listening to is Modern Wisdom. Many famous people are talking about incredible topics that can teach everyone something in life.

What's your desk setup aesthetics?

I love lowlight moody setups with a lot of warm lights. I find those setups resonate with me a lot more. Setups with plants, unique furniture, or ones that get plenty of light are the things I love in desk setup designs.

When did you start to work on your desk setup?

I started my setup back in 2017. It was a very barebones setup that makes me laugh when I see it today, but either way, we all start somewhere. 

I had a 2017 Macbook Pro, a 1080p gaming monitor connected to a PS3, and my mom’s old desk. It was a little setup, but it got me to where I am today.

What does your typical day look like?

My days can be chaotic, but here is a usual rundown on what I do most days.

I usually wake up around 6am or 9am, grab a coffee and start my morning looking over my to-do list, and start work. I do video editing and web design for a couple clients, While also working on a lot of my personal brand and other business. I work until around 5pm most days, after that I head to my martial arts classes, then after I hit the gym. After 8 I come home for dinner, unwind, plan for the next day, then head to bed. 

Most days are different, some days I take off, and some I am working till 10pm and night. It really can be random, but most importantly I love the work I do, so working till 10pm usually feels like play to me.

What niche interest are you up to recently?

One that I am exploring recently are digital products. I have been building a lot of wallpaper packs lately, and so far I am getting multiple downloads a day, and almost hitting $100 selling online.

Your advice for beginners getting into Desk Setup.

Firstly, ask yourself if this profession you are chasing is really something you want to continue for five years from now, the last thing you want to do is start building your setup, upgrading it, then eventually decide you don’t want to do this job anymore. Then all this money you spent on the setup becomes a waste.

For people starting out, start small. Get a good monitor, keyboard, and definitely invest in a standing desk.

Any tips for other makers who want to improve their workspaces?

When it comes to a workspace. The biggest question you need to ask yourself is “What works for me? And if it doesn't, why?” I think when it comes to crafting your setup, we can waste money on things we don’t really need. Find the things that you really need, as those will bring you the value you need. 

If you think you really really need that Apple Pro Display XDR because you know it will help you with photo editing, then get it. Because clearly you know what you are going to use it for, therefore it’s worth the value, and will be a big investment to your work.