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Peek behind the curtain of a professional graphic designer. See what Jacob Cass’s setup looks like and see the tools and other items he uses daily when working with clients all over the world.
If you’re a beginner or watching your spending, you may want to consider our post on the top gear for all career levels & budgets.
Top 50 Tools Used by Professional Graphic Designer, Jacob Cass
There can be a lot of tools that Jacob uses on a day-to-day basis. Here’s a rundown of everything we’ll go over, including both hardware and software.
The Workshop
- Apple MacBook Pro 16” — An incredibly powerful & beautiful laptop for designers
- Apple 32″ Pro Display XDR Monitor — One of the best monitors with a matching pricetag.
- BenQ 32-in 4k Designer Monitor — One of the best value monitors for creatives (my former monitor)
- Logitech MX Master 3S Mouse — The best mouse for productivity and comfort
- Wacom Intuos Pro — A great drawing & illustration tablet
- Canon IP8720 Wireless — A printer with great combination of price and versatility
- Adobe Creative Cloud Subscription — The all-essential graphic design software
- Rodecaster Pro — For studio-quality podcast recording with the Podmic below
- Rodecaster Podmic — A high-quality microphone for podcasting
- Blue Yeti Microphone — The easiest podcasting microphone to use (Used this before the Podmic above)
- Sony A6600 + 70-300lens mm lens — Take amazing photos & look great in your Zoom calls
- Logitech HD 1080P Pro Stream Webcam C922 — A solid webcam for your next Zoom or Skype call
- Webcam Light Stand — Lights to make you look great in your Zoom calls.
- Crave PLUS PRO Portable Charger — For a quick charge on-the-go
- Herman Miller Aeron Chair — The best chair for your office
- Mokin 9 in 1 USB C Adapter Hub — A great space-saving USB-C hub
- Electric Standing Desk — A super-clean & glossy desk for fans of Apple
Essentials
- Moleskine Large Plain Notebook — The perfect notebook
- Artline 0.4 Fineliner Pen — A great pen for perfect line work
- Dot Grid Book — The perfect dotted notebook for your next big idea
Personal Tech
- Apple iPhone — The perfect phone for creatives on the go
- Apple Watch — A powerful smartwatch
- Bose QuietControl 30 Wireless Headphones — The best headphones for a long run or long phone call
- Bose QuietComfort 20 Headphones — The best headphones to “zone out”
Creature Comforts
- Sonos Beam SoundBar + SubWoofer — When you just have to feel that thump
- Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition Smarter Kit — When you need a little dancing light to brighten up your day
- LIFX Z WiFi Dimmable Controller and Multi-Color 6.6′ LED Light Strip Starter Kit — For controllable ambient light for any room
- Phillips Hue Lightbulbs — A unique way to light the room
Digital Storage
- SanDisk Ultra Flair 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive — A great flash drive when you’re on the move
- Western Digital My Passport 4TB — One of the best external hard drives available
Top 50 Graphic Design Hardware Used by Jacob Cass
The Workshop
When Jacob sits down to craft his next design, this is what’s in his office helping him do just that every day.
Apple MacBook Pro 16”
An incredibly powerful & beautiful laptop for designers
CPU: 9th-generation Intel Core i7 processor | Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5000M | RAM: 8GB – 64GB | Screen: 16-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Retina display | Storage: 512GB – 1TB SSD
If you’re aiming to be one of the top graphic designers in the industry, you’ll likely need the best tools to match your talent. The latest 16-inch MacBook Pro is a powerhouse that redefines what a professional laptop can do.
With its cutting-edge Apple M3 Pro or M3 Max chip, advanced GPU, and stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, every project comes to life with unmatched clarity and speed. Its 16-inch screen ensures vibrant, true-to-life visuals, making it perfect for demanding design work.
If you’re wondering why the MacBook Pro is a must-have for professionals like Jacob, click the link below to explore its game-changing features.
Latest Price on Amazon:
2019 Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage, 2.6GHz Intel Core i7) – Space Gray
- Ninth-generation 6-Core Intel Core i7 Processor
- Stunning 16-inch Retina Display with True Tone technology
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
- AMD Radeon Pro 5300M Graphics with GDDR6 memory
- Ultrafast SSD
$1,159.20
BenQ 32-in 4k Designer Monitor
One of the best monitors for graphic design
Screen size: 32-inch | Aspect ratio: 16:9 | Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 | Brightness: 350 cd/m2 | Response time: 4ms | Viewing angle: 178/178 | Contrast ratio: 1,000:1 | Color support: sRGB 100% | Weight: 8.5kg
If you’re working on important projects, you want to make sure that the images you’re working on will look as good in person as they do on the screen, and with the 32-inch 4K Designer Monitor from BenQ, you can be sure that your work will look amazing. Designed with designers and other creatives in mind, the Ultra HD display is a perfect choice if you’re looking to present the best work you can offer. View Jacob’s review of this monitor here.
Latest Price on Amazon:
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BenQ PD3220U Thunderbolt 3 Monitor for Macbook 32″ 4K UHD | 100% Rec.709 & sRGB, 95% P3 | IPS |…
- Made for Designers: 32″ 4K monitor features Pantone Validated and Calman verified color accurate technology. Experience 95% P3 and 100% sRGB color coverage with Delta E ≤ 3. Built with M-Book mode…
- ICC Sync Compatible with Display P3: The ICC Sync simplifies the color mapping process and can be completed in 1 second through the BenQ Display Pilot software.
- Daisy-Chain Technology: Free up your desk space and say goodbye to clutter thanks to the daisy chain connectivity capabilities! Seamlessly connect your computer/laptop to create a multi-monitor setup.
- Thunderbolt 3: Synchronizes images, videos, data and charge all of your Mac devices with an all-in-one cable!
$799.99
Logitech MX Master 3S Mouse
The best mouse for productivity and comfort
DPI: 4,000 | Interface: Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless | Buttons: 7 | Ergonomic: Right-handed
While it’s not the most affordable mouse on our list, it is the best mouse out there, especially if you do any kind of creative or productive work during your day. With customizable buttons, an ergonomic build, and a thumbwheel, it is truly a creative’s best friend. All in all, the MX Master 3S is the best mouse out there for graphic designers and it comes in black or light grey.
And if that isn’t enough to tout its pedigree, it’s also the mouse of choice by our very own Jacob Cass himself – he’s used the same model series for over a decade. If that’s not a ringing endorsement, we don’t know what is.
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Logitech MX Master 3 Advanced Wireless Mouse, Ultrafast Scrolling, Ergonomic, 4000 DPI,…
- Ultra-fast magspeed scrolling – Remarkable speed, precision and quietness of electromagnetic scrolling with all new magspeed wheel – up to 90% faster, 87% more precise and ultra-quiet
- Comfort shape and intuitive controls – Work comfortably with perfectly sculpted shape and ideally placed thumb wheel and controls
- App-specific customizations – Speed up your workflow with predefined app-specific profiles and numerous customization options. Advanced 2.4 GHz wireless technology
- Flow cross-computer control – Work seamlessly on three computers. Seamlessly transfer cursor, text, and files – between windows and macOS, desktop and laptop
- Works on any surface even on glass with dark field 4000 DPI sensor. It is faster and 5x more precise than the basic mouse – so you always hit the right Pixel
$107.99
Wacom Intuos Pro
A great drawing tablet for illustrators
The name Wacom is synonymous with quality and the Intuos Pro keeps that moniker alive with one of the best experiences that you can have with a drawing tablet and with its large drawing area, you won’t have to worry about running out of space. Backed by the community of products that Wacom releases, you can use texture sheets or alternative pens to give your art a new look. Jacob mainly uses this for UX work, which admittingly he is doing much less of these days.
See here more top tablets for drawing, art, and illustration.
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Wacom Intuos Pro Bluetooth Drawing Tablet, Large 16.8″ x 11.2″ Graphics Tablet with Pro Pen 2 &…
- Professional Graphics Tablet: Illustration tablet features 6 ExpressKeys, touch gestures, programmable buttons; ideal for creative professionals like graphic designers, image editors, illustrators
- Precision Pen Performance: Included Pro Pen 2 features tilt recognition, virtually lag-free tracking, 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, and 2 customizable switches for easy access to shortcuts
- Productivity Boosting Tablet: Tailor the drawing pad with multi-touch gestures, customizable ExpressKeys, Touch Ring, and pen side switches for optimal efficiency
- Compact Bluetooth Design: Compact design along with touch gestures give you a broad range of ways to create; seamlessly connect any Mac or Windows PC with USB or Bluetooth
- Includes: Wacom Intuos Pro Bluetooth large drawing pad, battery-free Pro Pen 2, pen stand, 10 replacement nibs for pen, USB cable, and quick start guide
$499.95
Canon IP8720 Wireless
A great combination of price and versatility
Some of the best printers for graphic designers and photographers are created by Canon and with their proficiency in the world of cameras, it’s not surprising to see why. A staple of many high-quality Canon printers is its sturdy feed system that easily lets you use different paper weights and finishes. The value that comes from being able to use office paper and professional presentations on high-quality paper without having to leave your desk is unmatched.
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Canon IP8720 Wireless Printer, AirPrint and Cloud Compatible, Black
- Don’t get stuck in an 8 inches x 10 inches world; Print your favorite photos up to 13 inches x 19 inches
- With a 6 color ink system including gray ink and 9600 x 2400 maximum color dots per inch, the results are incredible quality and amazing detail in your black & white and color photos. Noise level:…
- Print wireless from any Wi-Fi enabled computer around the house; Ink droplet size: 1, 2 and 5
- Note: Kindly refer to the user manual provided as a PDF manual in the product description section
- Ink compatibility : PGI 250 Pigment Black XL, CLI 251 Cyan XL, CLI 251 Magenta XL, CLI 251 Yellow XL, CLI 251 Gray XL, CLI 251 Black XL , PGI 250 Pigment Black, CLI 251 Cyan, CLI 251 Magenta, CLI 251…
$229.00
Adobe Creative Cloud Subscription
The Graphic Designers Perfect Toolbox
If the space in his home is Jacob’s workshop, then Creative Cloud from Adobe is his toolbox. Offering some great applications that anyone can use to create the work of their dreams. From Photoshop to Illustrator and even Premier Pro, Creative Cloud gives you the tools to make your vision a reality. As it is plainly stated on their website, Creative Cloud gives you the world’s best creative apps and services so you can make anything you can imagine, wherever you’re inspired. That sounds pretty good to us.
See here for all the latest Adobe discounts.
Latest Price on Amazon:
Adobe Creative Cloud |Entire collection of Adobe creative tools plus 100GB storage | 12-month…
- Creative Cloud has the design tools to bring your ideas to life, with apps for everything from image compositing and photo editing to website design, digital painting, 3D, and augmented reality
- With Creative Cloud, you have the entire collection of Adobe desktop and mobile apps, from essentials like Photoshop to next generation tools like Adobe XD
- Existing subscribers must first complete current membership term before linking new subscription term
Rodecaster Pro
For studio-quality podcast recording (used with Podmic below)
While the Rodecaster Pro is a great and powerful production studio, you don’t need to be an audio engineer to figure out how to use it properly. Whether you’re just starting a podcast or have been doing light voice-over work, the deck offers a good balance of simplicity and several physical controls. Examples of this include volume sliders and large pad-style buttons for top-layer controls. If you need a bit more fine-tuned manipulation, the board includes a high-resolution touchscreen with advanced features and other extras. The only downside is the price tag.
Rodecaster Podmic
A high-quality microphone for podcasting
One of the things that keep people from trying to start a podcast is the technical side of things. There can be so much tech to learn how to use but the Podmic from Rodecaster makes it easy. While on the small side compared to other mics on the market, part of what makes the Podmic stand out is its ease of use. Simply plug it into your Rodecaster Pro (above) and you’re ready. Built for the spoken word, it comes with a built-in pop filter that can keep you from buying a foam cover. Optimized with the Rodecaster Pro, it will automatically apply the settings for optimal results regardless of voice type. The Podmic from Rodecaster is the best set and forget mic we’ve found. Make sure you get the Boom Arm also for maximum versatility and ease of use.
Blue Yeti Microphone
The easiest podcasting microphone to use (I used this before the Podmic above)
With a design that harkens back to the classic radio microphone, the Yeti Microphone from Blue is one of the most popular podcasting microphones available. The easiest to set up and use right out of the box, the Yeti has numerous features that allow you to record in a wide variety of situations. With options to plug into your computer via USB or XLR output, the Yeti microphone from Blue not only looks cool but can put you on the fast track to starting your amazing podcast. This is a great choice if you’re not ready to invest in the Rode combo above.
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Logitech for Creators Blue Yeti USB Microphone for Gaming, Streaming, Podcasting, Twitch, YouTube,…
- Custom Three-Capsule Array: Produces Clear, Powerful, Broadcast-Quality Sound For Youtube, Game Streaming, Podcasting, Zoom Calls And Music.
- Blue Voice Software: Craft The Perfect Broadcast Vocal Sound And Entertain Your Audience With Enhanced Effects, Advanced Modulation And Hd Audio Samples. Advanced Blue VoICe Is Compatible With Yeti,…
- Four Pickup Patterns: Flexible Cardioid, Omni, Bidirectional, And Stereo Pickup Patterns Allow You To Record In Ways That Would Normally Require Multiple Mics.
- Onboard Audio Controls: Headphone Volume, Pattern Selection, Instant Mute, And Mic Gain Put You In Charge Of Every Level Of The Recording And Streaming Process.
- Positionable design: Pivot the mic in relation to the sound source to optimize your sound quality thanks to the adjustable desktop stand and track your voice in real time with no-latency monitoring
$83.48
Sony A6600 + 70-300lens mm lens
A great way to take amazing photos & look great in your Zoom calls.
Taking photographs even if you aren’t a professional photographer can help spur your creativity and give you inspiration for your next project. The A6600 from Sony is a mirrorless camera with Fast Hybrid AF to provide you with high speed, accuracy, and tracking performance to meet the demands that come with 4K movies. With the inclusion of a 70-300 mm lens, Jacob can get up close and personal with a telephoto zoom lens with a 3.8x magnification range that can help you capture the tiny details that might lead to the biggest successes. It also has no recording limit making for easy video editing. Jacob uses this as his professional webcam as well by connecting the camera to the computer with an HDMI capture device.
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Sony Alpha A6600 Mirrorless Camera
- World’s fastest AF at 0 02 sec with real-time AF and Object tracking
- 24 2MP APS-C Exmor sensor with front end LSI and ISO up to 102 400
- Wide 425-phase/425-contrast detection AF points over 84% of sensor
- Up to 11fps continuous shooting at 24 2MP RAW with AF/AE tracking
- Real-time AF Tracking Real-time Eye AF for human animal movie
$998.00
Logitech HD 1080P Pro Stream Webcam C922
A great option for your next Zoom or Skype call
Sometimes when your clients are on the other side of the planet as many of Jacob’s are, you can’t just have a quick meeting at the local coffee shop. Sometimes meeting with clients means meeting through video telecommunication and the Pro Stream Webcam C922 from Logitech is one of the best. With Full HD at 30fps streaming capability, this makes the webcam great for recording video or even video conference calls. With its excellent autofocus, gone are the days of having to manually adjust and instead, you can focus on connecting with your client.
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Webcam Light Stand
The Best Way To Look Great in Your Next Video
Even with the best webcam out there, a dark or poorly lit room still ruins the video you are recording and could hurt the relationship you have with a client. With a Webcam Light Stand, the ring light can help keep things illuminated while you’re recording videos. With a flexible gooseneck, you can ben it to any shape for the optimal amount of light to be provided for your videos. Plus with three light colors and 10 levels of brightness, you can adjust the light accordingly to make sure you look your best.
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Webcam Light Stand for Live Stream, Selfie Ring Light with Webcam Mount for Logitech C925e, C922x,…
- FLEXIBLE: 24.2 inch gooseneck arm that can bend to any shape, 360 degree rotating lazy bracket clip. Adjust to any angle for livestream, live broadcast, lives show, selfie or video chat, or works as…
- RINGLIGHT: Has multiple hue and brightness settings to get just the right look. Just choose from the 3 light color and 10 level brightness for your preferred uses — make-up, lay flat, selfie photos…
- PORTABILITY: Easy control on cord to power on/off or switch to the lighting mode you prefer. USB Powered, works well with multiple devices – PC, Laptop, Battery Bank. And you can carry the mini…
- PHONE BRACKET: Width that ranges up to 3.5 inch, compatible with almost ALL smartphones with or without a case, suitable for iPhone 7 plus, 7, 8, 8 plus, X, 6, 6s, 5, 5s, /Samsung Note 8, S8/LG.
$21.90
Crave PLUS PRO Portable Charger
For a quick charge on-the-go
Having a portable charger is a great idea if you’re working on an assignment, or traveling all the time for work because you won’t always have a way to charge your phone. The Crave PLUS PRO weighs only four pounds which makes it easy to throw in your bag on your way out the door. With multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, you can quickly and easily charge multiple devices. A big part of being successful in business today is being able to stay connected and with the PLUS PRO Portable Charger from Crave, you’ll always be connected.
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Crave PD Power Bank 50000mAh, PowerPack Portable Battery Pack Charger [Power Delivery PD 3.0 USB-C…
- CHARGE YOUR ADVENTURES WITHOUT LIMITS! – Did you know you can charge your electronic devices anywhere your adventures take you? Our premium Crave Power Bank 50000mAh is portable and compact to bring…
- POWER UP ALL YOUR DEVICES FAST! – Do you want to charge your iPad, iPhone, and Laptop Computer all at the same time? Enjoy greater efficiency as you charge your devices to full power capacity fast…
- SMART ON-THE-GO CHARGING POWER! – Choose the smart option to power up your electronics while you travel. Our Crave portable battery charger only weighs 4.15 pounds and is easy to carry in your…
- AMAZING GIFT IDEA FOR SURVIVALISTS! – If you are want the ultimate life-changing gift, then you have found a winner with our high-end Portable Batter Pack Charger! You’ll never want to leave home…
- USE OLDER LAPTOP WITH BARREL CHARGER? – No Problem, We have you covered, Add the 19 piece Crave Adapter kit to your order for Universal Laptop Connections
$249.99
Herman Miller Aeron Chair
The Best Chair for Your Office
Originally released in 1994, the Aeron from Herman Miller continues to be the office chair that all others are compared to. Designed to be 94% recyclable, the mesh design along with the clean lines that easily contour to the curves of your body. This is without a doubt the best chair you can buy if you’re serious about your next office chair. While the price may detract some buyers, the comfort and customization options that are offered with the chair make it an extremely intelligent purchase.
Latest Price on Amazon:
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Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair – Size C, Graphite
- Your purchase includes One Herman Miller Aeron Ergonomic Chair – Size C, graphite color
- Chair dimensions: 43″ H x 28.25″ W x 18.5″ D. Seat heights: 16”-20.5”.
- Tilt Limiter lets you set the recline range at one of three postures. Tension control lets you adjust the amount of effort needed to recline comfortably. Seat Angle Adjustment changes seat angle from…
- Try the Adjustable PostureFit Sacral/Lumbar support. Two individual pads flex independently and can be adjust to fit the curve of your spine
- Fully Adjustable Arms adjust from a height of 6.8” above the seat to 10.8 inches above the seat, slide backward and forward over a range of 2.5 inches, pivot 15 degrees outward and 17.5 degrees…
Mokin 9 in 1 USB C Adapter Hub
A great space-saving USB-C hub
No matter what field you work in, everyone can always use more ports to plug peripherals in. The 9-in-1 USB-C adapter from Mokin is a workhorse when it comes to connectivity. An ideal option as a work from home adapter, the hub can mirror or ever extend your laptop’s screen which can be very handy, especially with graphic design work. The nine ports include a VGA, HDMI, RJ45 Ethernet, USB-C PD 100W, three USB 3.0 ports, and two card readers for SD & TF cards. The 9 in 1 USB-C Adapter Hub from Mokin is the best way to declutter the wire mess currently living under your desk
Latest Price on Amazon:
Docking Station, USB C Adapter, 9 in 1 Triple Display Multiport Dongle with 2 HDMI 4K, DisplayPort,…
- 【9 In 1 USB-C Hub 】All Expansion From A Single USB-C Port, you will get 2 HDMI output,1 DP output,4K@60HZ resolution and vivid video,1 Type C PD 3.0 charging port provides 100W super-fast charging…
- 【4K@60HZ UHD Visual Feast & Triple Display】This USB-C Docking Station With three high-definition video output ports: HDMI+HDMI+DP, but only the Windows system supports the Triple display, Mac OS…
- 【Reliable Data Syncing USB Port Design】 Transfer and backup your files at speeds up to 5Gbps via the Type-C port and 1 USB 3.0 ports; 2 USB 2.0 Ports help to a better connection with the wireless…
- 【Fast Charging】MOKiN multiport USB C adapter provides one Type-C pass through Female port by which you could securely charge connected MacBook or other Type-C laptops.Support 100W power in; Power…
- 【Widely Compatibility】Plug & Play, The MOKiN USB C 3.1 hub for MacBook Pro 2016/2017/2018/2019, iMac / iMac Pro (21.5 inch, 27 inch), iPad Pro 2018 / 2019, Google Chromebook Pixel, Huawei…
BESTÅ BURS Office Desk
A super-clean & glossy desk for fans of Apple
With a powerful computer and comfortable chair, Jacob only needs a great desk to create his designs and the Besta Burs desk has a vibrant look that any Apple fan will love with its high gloss white finish reflects light and gives the desk a vibrant look. With plenty of legroom and two wide drawers, you should have no problem storing things away at the end of a long day.
Essentials
If you follow any of the work that Jacob does, you’ll know that he does a lot of work in his notebooks first before ever creating a design. What does Jacob use to sketch those ideas into reality for his next client? Well, we stole a look into Jacob’s bag so you can learn exactly what he uses.
Moleskine Large Plain Notebook
The perfect notebook
Moleskine is a brand that more people obsess over than any other notebook in the world. The Large Plain Notebook is exactly how it sounds. With a durable cover and elastic closure, it is great for jotting notes or as a sketchpad the way Jacob uses it in his work. The thick ivory pages are perfect for writing with fountain pens or any other kind of utensil. Whether it’s your main notebook or just one you use for random notes, you can’t pick a better notebook.
Latest Price on Amazon:
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Moleskine Classic Notebook, Hard Cover, Large (5″ x 8.25″) Plain/Blank, Black, 240 Pages
- CLASSIC MOLESKINE NOTEBOOK: Moleskine classic notebooks are perfect notebooks for writing journals, a daily diary, or note taking in college classes or meetings. Moleskine notebooks are beloved by…
- DURABLE COVER & ELASTIC CLOSURE: Hold writing projects & notes in your Moleskine notebook with an elastic closure band & inner storage folders. Leather-like classic Moleskine cover & thick, ivory…
- GIFT QUALITY NOTEBOOKS: Moleskine planners, journals and notebooks come in hardcover or softcover and colors like black, red, blue, green and brown. The binding and cover have a durable finish,…
- DELUXE QUALITY PAGES: Moleskine’s thick, ivory paper pages in a hardcover Moleskine notebook, softcover Moleskine notebook, cahier or volant journal, or Moleskine planner are perfectly textured for…
- MOLESKINE QUALITY: We’re dedicated to culture, travel, memory, imagination, & personal identity—both physical & digital. We bring this commitment to our notebooks, bags, apps & smart pens &…
$15.81
Artline 0.4 Fineliner Pen
A great pen for perfect line work
Jacob’s pen of choice, the Artline 0.4 Fineliner Pen is an excellent pen for illustration, note-taking, and technical drawings. With water-based, blur-resistant pigment ink, the Fineliner pen can help you create crisp lines every time you use one in your work, whether it’s just taking notes or designing logos, you cannot go wrong.
See here for more great pens & pencils for designers & artists.
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Dot Grid Book
The perfect notebook for your next big idea
When he’s not jotting ideas and sketches into his notebook, he uses a Dot Grid Book from Moleskine to help him design the logos for clients all over the world. Available in multiple colors, Moleskine notebooks are loved by creatives and journalists for their slim design, making it easy to just toss them in your bag on your way out the door. With their durable cover and elastic closure, they can surely stand up to quite a bit and the only reason you’ll need to replace it is when you’ve run out of room to write in it.
Latest Price on Amazon:
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Moleskine Classic Notebook, Hard Cover, Large (5″ x 8.25″) Dotted, Black, 240 Pages
- CLASSIC MOLESKINE NOTEBOOK: Moleskine classic notebooks are perfect notebooks for writing journals, a daily diary, or note taking in college classes or meetings. Moleskine notebooks are beloved by…
- DURABLE COVER & ELASTIC CLOSURE: Hold writing projects & notes in your Moleskine notebook with an elastic closure band & inner storage folders. Leather-like classic Moleskine cover & thick, ivory…
- GIFT QUALITY NOTEBOOKS: Moleskine planners, journals and notebooks come in hardcover or softcover and colors like black, red, blue, green and brown. The binding and cover have a durable finish,…
- DELUXE QUALITY PAGES: Moleskine’s thick, ivory paper pages in a hardcover Moleskine notebook, softcover Moleskine notebook, cahier or volant journal, or Moleskine planner are perfectly textured for…
- MOLESKINE QUALITY: We’re dedicated to culture, travel, memory, imagination, & personal identity—both physical & digital. We bring this commitment to our notebooks, bags, apps & smart pens &…
Personal Tech
Even with the technology Jacob uses to create amazing designs, some of the most important gear isn’t even on his desk. Like you, there is gear that you might need to help you get through your day. Here are some of the gear that Jacob uses in his day-to-day.
Apple iPhone Pro
The perfect phone for creatives on the go
Weight: 188g/226g | Dimensions: 144 x 71.4 x 8.1mm/158 x 77.8 x 8.1mm | OS: iOS 13 | Screen size: 5.8-inch/6.5-inch | Resolution: 1125 × 2436/1242 x 2688 | CPU: Apple A13 Bionic | RAM: 4GB TBC | Storage: 64/256/512GB | Battery: 3,046mAh/3,969mAh TBC | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 12MP + 12MP
Being someone who works in a creative field, having a phone with a great camera is a necessity. With three 12MP cameras on the back and another two on the front of the camera, the iPhone Pro is a great phone for any creative person out there and with its 5.8-inch screen, it is great for shooting video or even watching your favorite movie on your day off.
Latest Price on Amazon:
Simple Mobile Prepaid – Apple iPhone 11 Pro (64GB) – Space Gray [Locked to Carrier – Simple…
- Carrier – This phone is locked to simple Mobile from Tracfone, which means this Device can only be used on the Simple Mobile wireless network.
- Plans – simple Mobile offers a variety of coverage plans, including 30-day unlimited Talk, text & data. No Activation Fees, No Credit Checks, and no Hassles On a Nationwide Lightning-fast Network. For…
- Activation – You’ll receive a simple Mobile SIM kit with this iPhone. Follow the instructions to get service activated with the simple Mobile plan of your choice.
- 5. 8-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display
- Water and dust resistant (4 meters for up to 30 minutes, IP68)
Apple Watch
A powerful smartwatch
OS: watchOS 6 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 1.78″ OLED | Processor: Apple S5 | Band sizes: Varies based on watch size | Onboard storage: 32GB | Battery: 1 day to 36 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE
If you own an iPhone, you cannot go wrong choosing an Apple Watch to pair with it. They work together seamlessly so if you’ve had an iPhone and see yourself sticking with it, you should take a look at the Watch as well. Compared to Watch 4, there aren’t too many upgrades, but the biggest change is its always-on display. This means that instead of having to raise the watch to see information, it will display it on a dimmed screen. The newest version of the watch comes with some exciting health and fitness features including an ECG monitor, GPS tracking, and a pretty impressive heart rate monitor. If you’re looking for the best Apple watch you can find, then look no further.
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Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch with Heart Rate, Music, Alexa Built-In, Sleep and Swim…
- Use amazon Alexa built in to get quick news and information, check the weather, set timers and alarms, control your smart home devices through the sound of your voice (third party app may be required;…
- Based on your heart rate, time asleep and restlessness, sleep score helps you better understand your sleep quality each night. Also track your time in light, deep and REM sleep stages and get personal…
- Get a 30-day free trial of the Fitbit Premium to help you stay active, sleep well and manage stress. Unlock it all in the Fitbit app. (Cancel before free trial ends to avoid subscription fees. Offer…
- With a larger display and an always on option, your information?s always a quick glance away (always on display requires more frequent charging)
- Play your favorite songs and playlists with Spotify app controls on your wrist. Also make secure purchases with Fitbit Pay and get called, text and smartphone app notifications.
Bose QuietControl 30 Wireless Headphones
The best headphones for a long run or long phone call
Having a good pair of earphones can make everything easier from going on a run to talking on the phone during a conference call. With the QuietControl 30 wireless headphones from Bose, you can easily control the level of noise cancellation you use throughout the day. The lightweight neckband design easily conforms to your neck so you can wear it all day long without worrying about fatigue. The lithium-ion battery lasts for up to 10 hours without needing a charge so you can either get a longer run in like Jacob or kick back and listen to your favorite songs.
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Bose Quietcontrol 30 Wireless Headphones, Noise Cancelling – Black
- Breakthrough technology lets you control your own level of noise cancellation throughout your day
- Bluetooth and NFC pairing so you can connect to your devices wirelessly. Bluetooth range: 10 m
- Noise rejecting dual microphone system helps reduce the noise around you to deliver clearer calls
- Lightweight neckband design conforms to your body for all day comfort and wear ability
- Lithium ion battery lets you enjoy up to 10 hours of wireless listening per charge
Bose QuietComfort 20 Headphones
The best headphones to “zone out”
Sometimes you just need to zone everything else out around you whether it’s to get an important project done or on a long flight, the QuietComfort 20 headphones you can do just that. With patented Stay Hear+ tips help to provide long-lasting comfort and stability. An Aware mode lets you listen to what’s around you when you need to with a push of a button. On your next long flight with a screaming baby in the seat in front of you, put the QuietComfort 20 headphones in and enjoy the flight.
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Bose QuietComfort 20 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones, Apple Devices, Black
- Compatible Devices: iPhone, iPad and iPod models
- Included Components: QuietComfort 20 headphones, Apple devices, 3 pairs StayHear tips (S, M, L), clothing clip, rechargeable lithium-ion battery (built-in), USB charging cable, carrying case
Creature Comforts
Whether it’s the end of your long day or Jacob’s, one of the best things to do is unwind, and having technology that helps you do that can be essential. Here’s a look at the gear Jacob uses to create a comfortable environment at home.
Sonos Beam SoundBar + SubWoofer
When you just have to feel that thump
Sometimes during your day, you need to pump up the music and feel the bass that comes through your favorite song or movie at the end of the day. Even if it’s the end of the day, having a good SoundBar can make any movie sound great and the Sonos SubWoofer is a wireless subwoofer that lets you hear and feel every thump of bass without any buzz, rattle, or vibration. Its convenient and compact size lets you place it in a variety of ways so you can have the best experience possible.
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Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition Smarter Kit
When you need a little dancing light to brighten up your day
Studies have shown that different light color wavelengths can help you focus when you’re working. With the Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition Starter Kit, you can create a panel of lights that will transform your favorite songs into beautiful symphonies of color and light. These lights can create a nice ambiance in your office when you’re working to break up the monotony of staring at a computer screen all day long. Available as a 9-pack starter kit, you can easily set these up in no time and add to it as you please.
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Nanoleaf Rhythm Edition WiFi Smart RGB 16M+ Color LED Dimmable Gaming and Home Decor Wall Lights…
- The Rhythm Edition Smarter Kit transforms your favorite songs into dancing symphonies of color and light. Create the perfect ambience in any space.
- Included Rhythm Upgrade Module has builtin sound sensors to automatically pick up on audio
- Connect up to 30 Light Panels on one Controller. Customize colors and animations with the Nanoleaf Smarter Series App or in the Home App. Also controllable with the manual Controller and voice control…
- Includes everything to get started: one Rhythm Module, nine Light Panels, nine linkers, nine mounting stencils and 28 mounting strips. Works with iOS8 or later (HomeKit), Android 5 or later and Google…
$299.99
LIFX Z WiFi Dimmable Controller and Multi-Color 6.6′ LED Light Strip Starter Kit
For controllable ambient light for any room
When your day is done and it’s time to relax, you want to be sure that you create the best environment to do so. This includes the lighting in whatever room you choose. The LED Light Strip Starter Kit with Dimmable Controller allows you to not only create the best environment for you to relax in but with the handy controller, you can adjust and dim the lights to your preference and with up to 16 million colors that range from warm to cool so you can have the perfect place to sit back and watch your favorite movie.
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LIFX Z LED Strip Starter Kit
- Easy set up. LIFX z strips plug into the wall then use a sticky adhesive to allow you to place them exactly where you want. Simply download the app, connect to Wi-Fi and you’re ready to go
- Built in Wi-Fi & LIFX cloud. Offers full Lighting control via Wi-Fi and cloud through our LIFX iOS, Android and windows 10 apps and plugs are US-plug A,international-plugs A, C, G and I
- Adjustable and dimmable. Connected Lighting for your space, time of day, and mood. Choose from 16 million colors and a full range of warm to cool whites with flexibility to dim the light too
- Custom zones. Let your imagination run wild with 8 individually Addressable Color/white zones per meter. Create patterns and custom waveforms to express your creativity
- Fit to length. LIFX z can be adjusted to your preferred length to ensure the best fit for your home. Not intended for use in weather-exposed areas
Phillips Hue Lightbulbs
A unique way to light the room
We all need to have the lights on in our house to help us get our work done. The connectivity that the Phillips Hue Light Bulbs can offer makes them the perfect option for any office. Easily set the mood with more than 16 million colors available for you to choose from. You can even create settings for the light that you use in the morning to energize you and even a light setting that can help you wind down once you’re getting ready to punch the clock.
Latest Price on Amazon:
Philips Hue Smart 60W A19 LED Bulb – White and Color Ambiance Color-Changing Light – 1 Pack – 800LM…
- WHAT’S IN THE BOX – Includes one White and Color Ambiance smart 60W-equivalent A19 color-changing light bulb; Perfect for general lighting anywhere in your home
- UNLOCK THE FULL POWER OF HUE – Add a Hue Bridge to enjoy automations, control from anywhere in the world, and a secure, stable connection that won’t drain your Wi-Fi. Use Matter to connect your…
- MILLIONS OF COLORS – The White & Color Ambiance range offers both warm-to-cool white and millions of colors straight out of the box. Simply screw it in! Once in your fixture, our smart LED bulbs can…
- ENJOY PRESET SCENES – Light your routines throughout the day; Set a 24-hour natural light scene that mimics the sun or choose light to help you focus, unwind, and more
- VOICE CONTROL – Convenient smart control; Set up voice control in the Hue app and use simple voice commands to control your lights with Alexa or Google Assistant
$49.97
Digital Storage
When you have a lot of files, pictures, and documents, it can fill up a hard drive pretty quickly. If some of those files are sensitive, you don’t want to leave them accessible to just anyone. That’s why having an external hard drive and other options is so important.
SanDisk Ultra Flair 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive
A great flash drive when you’re on the move
When you travel as much as Jacob does, sometimes you don’t want to carry all of your files with you. That’s when the Ultra Flair 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive from SanDisk is the perfect option. With capacities up to 128GB, you can have enough room for your work on the go and the drive also includes easy-to-use password protection to keep your files private in case you misplace one while the sleek metal casing is durable enough to handle the inevitable bumps and bruises.
Latest Price on Amazon:
SanDisk Ultra Flair USB (2 Pack) 3.0 128GB Flash Drive High Performance up to 150MB/s – with (1)…
- (Two Pack) High Speed USB 3.0 performance
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives
- Comes with (1) Everything But Stromboli Lanyard
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files
$23.38
Western Digital My Passport 4TB
One of the best external hard drives available
Even though you might have the best computer at your home office that helps you get everything done, having a way to back up your important files is essential. The 4TB My Passport from Western Digital is a great, portable option for your office. Offering password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption and with a good amount of storage at an affordable price, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Latest Price on Amazon:
WD 4TB My Passport Ultra, Blue, Portable External Hard Drive, backup software with defense against…
- USB-C and USB 3.1 compatible
- Innovative style with refined metal cover
- Password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- Formatted for Windows
- 3-year manufacturer’s limited warranty
$129.99
Top Graphic Design Software Used by Jacob Cass
All the software & web services Jacob uses.
DESIGN / CODE
- Adobe Creative Cloud — Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro, InDesign, Lightroom
- GarageBand — Podcast & audio editing
- CyberDuck — FTP Client
- Logo Package Express — Exports logo files in one click
WEB / SOCIAL
- Slack — Team chat
- Chrome — My browser of choice. Plugins include Buffer, Ninja, Panda, FireShot, Honey, Notion, Bookmark OS, Video Speed Controller
MUSIC
- Spotify — My music subscription of choice
BUSINESS / PRODUCTIVITY
- Skype — International phone calls and meetings.
- Zoom — Video conference calls
- Loom – Records my Scren & Sends videos
- Calend.ly — Book meetings with me online
- TextExpander — Saves me from re-writing commonly used phrases & emails. See how to use TextExpander to conquer email.
- Alfred — Launches my software & searches with speed. Super productive. I use the shortcut key Cmd+E.
- Google Suite —Docs, Sheets, and Drive
WEB APPS & SERVICES
- Notion — To do lists & note-taking on steroids
- DropBox — In the cloud file sharing & storing. Get 32Gb free with this link.
- Xero & PayPal — Invoicing & payments
- Shutterstock — My preference for stock imagery
- Moo Printing — Business card printing and more. Get 25% Off.
HOSTING
- Cloud Ways — Where I host my website. I recommend BlueHost for smaller businesses though.
Top 50 Design & Business Tools
Remember that these are just tools. Nothing will replace the education and experience that an individual can bring to a project. We hope this had a positive effect if you’re considering a career in graphic design and gave you a little peek into the wizard’s chamber.