Get On Fusion

The Best Stories You'd See Today

What’s in My Bag? Product Designer Starter Pack.

Share on linkedin
Share on twitter
Share on facebook
Share on whatsapp
what's in a designer's bag

Every designer has a toolkit, not just the Figma files and fancy fonts, but the stuff that gets us through the day. As they say “a bag carries more than belongings; it holds stories of our journey.” So today, I will be telling you the things I always carry in my bag. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the design trenches, here’s a peek at the essentials that keep me creating and productive.

  1. Laptop (aka My Lifeline)

Figma doesn’t run on imaginations now, does it? I always carry my laptop, with a few stickers on the lid so people know I’m “creative” and a charger because battery anxiety is real. This helps me with designing fire interfaces, attending meetings, editing sheets, writing emails and articles.

  1. Sketchbook and pen

Sometimes ideas hit when I’m offline or zoning out in a meeting (oops). I always want to be ready. I get to quickly sketch wireframes or a UI inspo before the idea disappears. Messy notes and feedback also go in here, no judgement. As a product designer, a sketchbook and a pen/pencil should be your best friend. I carry mine everywhere, I don’t take chances of trying to remember a design idea that came to me earlier.

designer wireframe, sketchbook and pen, sketch book in my bag
  1. Headphones

Working from a cafe? Espresso machine noise. Working from home? Lousy neighbors and the unrelenting noise from generators. You guessed right, my headphones are noise-cancelling and they do a pretty good job at it. Peace, amazing playlists and no need to worry about noise during meetings, because my teammates won’t hear any background noise at all!

  1. Blue Light Glasses

On average, I spend 70% of my day in front of a screen, so having blue light glasses is crucial for my eyes. Blue light glasses are the perfect way to reduce eye strain. Not only do they protect your eyes from glare, but they also help you focus on the screen, making it easier to get work done.

They are made of high-quality optical glass that is tempered for strength and durability. The lenses are also anti-scratch and anti-reflective, so I can wear them safely even when working outside in direct sunlight. Get the right pair and it would even elevate your look!

  1. Mouse

To be honest, I was fine with my laptop touchpad until my supervisor recommended an external mouse. I got mine and only then did I understand the hype. It’s easy to use, reduces the stress and fatigue of your fingers. Great thanks to its ergonomic design, which makes it fit perfectly in your hand. This little tool makes micro-adjustments and pixel-perfect alignment a breeze.

  1. Snacks (For survival)

Designing on an empty stomach? Criminal. There’s always a chocolate bar, plantain chips or biscuit in my bag. Because low blood sugar leads to bad UI decisions. So, you never want to be hangry while working. It’s just a preparation for those days when I am unable to eat breakfast before leaving home or when my stomach just growls when it’s time for lunch.

ALSO READ: 5 things I wish I knew before starting my design internship

Sure, tools like Figma and Whimsical help me design. But these are the things that help me survive as a product design intern. Whether you’re a fellow intern, a soon-to-be one, or just nosy, I hope this gives you a peek into the beautifully chaotic world of design life.

Now your turn, what’s in your bag?

Join the Tech Connect community on Fusion, to connect with creatives, designers, writers, and builders like you. You deserve the support of a reliable community of like-minded individuals.

Join Here!

Azeezah Adetunji
Azeezah Adetunji

Related Posts

4,184 Responses

  2. Howdy! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  6. you’re actually a excellent webmaster. The website loading velocity is amazing. It sort of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a great job in this subject!

    Reply

  15. Hey, you used to write great, but the last several posts have been kinda boring… I miss your tremendous writings. Past few posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!

    Reply

  18. Thanks for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do a little research on this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I am very glad to see such excellent info being shared freely out there.

    Reply

  32. Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and everything. But just imagine if you added some great graphics or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this site could certainly be one of the best in its niche. Good blog!

    Reply

  39. Im no longer sure the place you are getting your info, however good topic. I needs to spend a while finding out much more or figuring out more. Thanks for magnificent info I used to be looking for this info for my mission.

    Reply

  40. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I’m hoping the same high-grade web site post from you in the upcoming also. Actually your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own site now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a great example of it.

    Reply

  45. Hello my friend! I want to say that this article is awesome, nice written and include almost all important infos. I’d like to see more posts like this.

    Reply

  49. Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

  50. I really appreciate this post. I¦ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay in the loop.

Get notified about upcoming Fusion events near you and trending topics from top-rated communities

No. 2 Abebe Village Road, Iganmu, Lagos. | +2348165491678 | support@fusion.ng

 
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter