From Engineering to Aesthetics: Caimar Salizi on Creativity, Function, and Winning WDSF 2025

Q1: Can you tell us a bit about yourself? Who is Caimar Salizi, and beyond your professional roles, how would you describe the unique perspective or personal brand you bring to the desk setup community?

“I am a content creator because it's exciting to share things that I like with the world. Besides that, I'm a father of three and a fan of all kinds of tech, non-tech gear, movies, and anime. But essentially, these are the things that make me Caimar. Functionality is the centerpoint of everything I do. Once that’s in place, I think about making a design unique and aesthetic to me.”

Q2: You didn’t start in a creative field — what sparked your passion for content creation, and what was the "aha!" moment that solidified your decision to focus on it professionally? How has your engineering background influenced your unique approach to content creation and product storytelling?

“As online platforms grew, I found myself constantly inspired by creators around the world. I remember thinking, "Wow. This is magical." I can experience what someone’s sharing even though they don’t know me. That opened my eyes to the power of content creation.

At the time, I wasn’t a creator yet; I didn’t have the skills, and it took me years to build them. The turning point came when I was working from home and started working on my desk setup, but I never made content about it. When I made a YouTube tutorial about Premiere Pro, someone commented, "Why don't you do a video on your background, about your desk behind you? It looks nice." I thought my setup was basic, but I tidied it up anyway and shot a low-budget video. It ended up going viral and has almost half a million views now. I ended up going from 300 to 2,000 subscribers and realized that there was real interest in what I had to share. That was my "aha" moment. It changed everything in my personal and professional life.

As an engineering student, you are taught to think very mechanically, and to some degree, content creation can be very mechanical until the art comes in. So I think what helped me is identifying when to be mechanical and when to just let the art flow. Learning all the different aspects of content creation is just like problem solving. You need to learn about the camera gear, lighting, staging, and composition. So you know, going through all these things was basically an engineering problem where you solve one thing after another, and then just combine the whole thing. Of course, when it comes to hands-on projects, like building an actual setup, my engineering background helps even more.”

Q3: You’ve shared that people often connect with the way you present your gear, not just the gear itself. What makes a workspace worth sharing in your eyes — beyond just aesthetics or gear?

“I believe all workspaces are worth sharing, because at the core, workspaces are about solving problems. If your setup solves a problem for you, then it's valuable. It doesn’t matter whether it’s packed with gear or super minimalist. If it works for you, chances are someone is out there is searching for that exact solution and they just haven’t seen it yet.

Take my setup, for example. I’ve found that it resonates with a wide range of people across different professions. And I think that’s because it speaks to several layers: the aesthetics, the functionality, the gear, and even interior design. Sharing setups helps inspire others and can even nudge them in the right direction. That's when I think sharing becomes powerful.”

Q4: How do you balance function, aesthetics, and storytelling in your own space? When you're conceptualizing a new setup or piece of content, what's the first element you consider (functionality, aesthetics, or narrative)? How does that initial thought evolve into the final product?

“For me, it’s about 50% functionality, 40% aesthetics, and 10% storytelling. If it’s not functional, I won’t use it. If it's not aesthetically pleasing, it's not gonna feel coherent. When people see my anime posters, or the way my space is set up, they begin to form a sense of who I am even without hearing my voice or seeing my face. My workspace communicates my personality. It shows that I’m someone who loves technology, someone who values aesthetics. When a space is designed thoughtfully, it becomes a form of self-expression. It tells a story about the person behind it.

The first thing I always consider is the wall behind the setup—it’s by far the most underrated element. A lot of people assume the desk itself is what draws attention, but in reality, it’s the wall that sets the tone. For example, if I’m in a high-rise downtown apartment and the wall behind me is actually a massive window with a cityscape view, that view becomes the landscape of the setup. Once the wall is set, I move on to the desk. I think about what kind of desk I want, and at that stage, I’m already factoring in color palettes and how everything ties together visually. After that, I focus on the core gear, specifically the desk shelf and the monitor, because that’s my command center. The rest of the items are layered in based on the purpose of the space—whether it’s for productivity, video editing, or gaming. But no matter what, it always starts with the wall.”

Q5: What made the Hexcal World Desk Setup Festival stand out to you? If you had to describe the festival in one sentence, what would you say?

“It was a visual feast of aesthetic setups, every single one was a banger. Honestly, I thought some of them were more fire than mine.”

Q6: Can you walk us through your creative process when preparing your submission for the Hexcal World Desk Setup Festival? Did you experiment with different arrangements or storytelling angles to capture your unique vision?

“When I was putting the setup together, I wanted people to see how I used Hexcal Studio in my space, and how it integrates with my lifestyle and aesthetic. Sometimes a single photo can feel a bit cold or impersonal, but when you include close-up images of you being a part of the setup, it feels more alive and relatable. Including yourself in the space brings a different kind of energy. I wanted it to reflect the things I genuinely enjoy, like Batman and anime. Nowadays, I feel like that’s missing in some desk setups. People are just aiming to be very proper and aesthetic, but you can be polished and aesthetic while letting your personality shine through at the same time.”

Q7: How did you discover Hexcal, and what made you choose our products?

“I first found Hexcal through Midas Tech, another influencer, on Youtube and Instagram. I was like "What is that? That looks super interesting." The design of the Hexcal Studio is incredibly unique and futuristic, and I honestly don’t think there’s anything else like it on the market. If Batman and Cybertruck had a baby, it would look like the Hexcal Studio. Once I discovered it, I knew I had to have one. And honestly, I would love to see you guys release it in white. That would be awesome.”

Q8: How does a great desk setup contribute to your work or creative process? And when it comes to Hexcal products, beyond their functional benefits, how do they feel when integrated into your space?

“Having a space you actually want to be in is already half the battle when it comes to getting work done. The next crucial piece is reducing friction between you, your desk, and the task at hand. The way my desk is currently set up is the most frictionless workspace I’ve ever had. There’s a clear "why" and "because" behind every item on my desk, and that setup contributes so much to my productivity. If even one thing is out of place, it disrupts my entire workflow.

Honestly, the Hexcal Studio makes me feel like Batman because of the lighting and overall design. It's just freaking dope. It feels very robust and solid, like a trustworthy foundation and command center for my entire setup because I can link all my devices to it. The built-in cable tray adds peace of mind beacuse whether you're adding or removing devices, you know you won’t be left with cable clutter. Having the Hexcal Studio on my desk gives me a real sense of security and structure.

I actually have a project in mind for the Hexcal Studio. I won’t reveal all the details yet, but basically, I'm going to add an iPhone charging station with 3D printing. It’s going to be pretty cool.”

Q9: What does winning the title of "Desk Setup of the Year" in WDSF2025 mean to you? How has this recognition impacted your creative journey, and has it opened new doors or inspired new ideas?

“It honestly means the world to me. I was so shocked when you guys gave me the award. It made me feel incredibly grateful, appreciated, and seen. What blew my mind even more was the level of competition. There were some killer setups on that list, so to be chosen among them really meant a lot. Now that I’ve received the physical award, it feels even more real. I will do it again and I’ve already got a few ideas. I can’t wait to show you what’s next.

Since I won so recently, we’ll have to wait and see how many doors it opens down the line because it’s a bit too early to tell. It has definitely sparked ideas of how I can step up my game for next year. I’m also thinking about how to use the Hexcal Studio in ways people haven’t tried yet, or to place it in spaces where it’s not commonly seen.”

Q10: What kind of technological development or aesthetic trend would you love to see grow in the desk setup community in the coming years?

“Honestly, I love 3D printing. If more people started incorporating 3D-printed elements into their setups, it could take things to a new level. The ability to create things virtually and then bring them to life in the physical world is so exciting.”