Episode 029 - Michael Shi: A Deep Dive into Desk Setup Mastery

Episode 029: Michael Shi

Michael Shi

Designer

Name: Michael Shi
Location: Shanghai
Occupation: Designer
MBTI Type: J
Room Size: 15 square meter
Desk Setup Budget: Confidential
Social Media: @Michaelexclamatiommark

Product List Item 
Desk
Third-party custom height-adjustable desk
Desk Mount
Chair
Ergohuman Ergonor B
Storage
IKEA ALEX drawer units x2
IKEA PAX wardrobe converted workbench x2
Wallspace pegboards of various sizes x8
Spectrum bookshelf 120x60 used as a keyboard shelf x1
IKEA BJORKASEN side table x2
PC
LianLi O11D Evo + ASUS TUF 3080OC 
ITXA Xproto L + GIGABYTE AERO 4070s
TRYX + NVIDIA 4080s founder edition
Laptop
Lenovo Legion 7i (r9000k)2021
Macbook air 13 inch 2018
Surface book 14 inch 2019
Laptop Stand
Brateck E700 Grey
Docking Station
Eleksmaker NK2 / NK5
External Storage
WD p40 2TB / Seagate FAST 500GB
Tablet
iPad pro 11inch 2021
iPad pro 10.5 2018
iPad mini 5 2019
Monitor
Samsung odyssey qd-oled G8
Kuycon 24 inch 2k/144hz
LG C1 w-oled 48 inch
Monitor Arm
Ergotron HX
HumanmotionT10 -W
Monitor Light Bar
Cololight Strip 2m
Speaker
GravaStar scorpion / B&O A1
Keyboard
Angrymiao cyberboard r4
Nooir noland 1
Angrymiao 65 less 
TPS 40 x2
Lelelab maxum 65 r1 x2
Meletrix zoompad x2
Deadline studio new retro 66
Deadline studio doys pad
Qwertykeys 65r2 x1 , 75 x2
Matrix navi , corsa 
Neo70
TKD cycle7 x2 , cycle 8
Whatever studio paper 80
Iqunix zx 75
Kerychron q1
Razer blackwidow v4 ,Deathstalker v2 
ROG Falchion, Scope II nx , Azoth 
Logitech G913
Tenet 70
Nuphy Halo 65, Field 75, Air 60
Keyboard Cable
Unknown error / Geekcable
Headphone
AirPods pro / Angrymiao Cyberblade / FIIL cc pro2 / songx 06 x2 / songx 07 x2
Mouse
Logitech g502 g913 gpw Vertical Mxmaster
Razer basilisk v3pro, basilisk ultimate, viper ultimate, deathadder V3pro
Steelseries Aerox 3, Rival650
Desk Mat/Mouse Pad
Razer goliathus L / Firefly V2
Desk Lamp
Cololight
Ambient Lighting
Cololight / Nanoleaf
Smartphone
iphone 15 pro max / iphone 13 pro / iphone xs max / iphone 8 plus / iphone 6s
Camera
Canon 5D MK2 / Canon 80D / Nikon Z30
Charger
Tegic / Sharge / Trozk / Mophie
Drone
Dji mavic pro / mini / mini 3 pro
Clock
Eleksmaker / Jeffbona
Watch
Apple watch 7
MIDI Controller
Arturia Keylab 61 MKII

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am an enthusiastic tinkerer with a slight collector’s obsession and a love for detail. I favor black and white/gray color schemes and am a dog lover. I consider myself a straightforward individual.

What’s your favorite item on your desk?

My favorite items are Hexcalstudio, Nooir N1, ITXA open case, and anything that lights up.

What's your desk setup aesthetics?

I prefer large items in light colors and small to medium items in dark colors. My goal is to ensure that everything is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

When did you start to work on your desk setup?

I started setting up my desk during the 2022 Shanghai lockdown.

What does your typical day look like?

I spend my day setting up my room and taking photos while considering family commitments. I rarely play games.

What niche interest are you up to recently?

Recently, I have been interested in road cycling and middle-distance running.

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

After watching the Netflix adaptation of "The Three-Body Problem," I decided to read the original novel.

Your advice for beginners getting into Desk Setup.

Invest in plenty of cable management tools as hiding cables is crucial. Enjoy the journey!

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

Understand your needs before making changes. Don’t follow trends blindly and be yourself.