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By winning the prestigious English FA Cup in May, Arsene Wenger silenced some vicious critics that accused Arsenal of putting the financial health of the club ahead of winning trophies.
Even with the FA Cup trophy in the bag, some still mocked, saying the win was just a flash in the pan.
At the weekend, Wenger led his troops to victory over League champions Manchester City in the season opening Charity Shield at Wembley Stadium by an emphatic 3-0 margin. It was rated a five-star performance by the experts.
Note must be made though that Manchester City fielded a practically experimental team due to absence of their World Cup players, but Arsenal too were missing their German World Cup stars.
So, what can we expect from this Arsenal this year and is their hope for more trophies?
Wenger was relatively aggressive in the transfer market this year, nabbing the highly rated Chilean international and Barcelona winger Alexis Sanchez. In my opinion, a very good buy and a player that will add more steel and bite to Arsenal's attack.
Sanchez just seems to love playing in England. For those who are unaware, not only did he show class over the weekend against Manchester City (in my opinion he was one of Arsenal's best players on the night) but he practically ran rings all around the English national team's defence as Chile beat England at Wembley in a World Cup preparations friendly earlier this year.
Arsenal fans should expect more from him and we dare not forget that Theo Walcott is gradually working his way back to fitness. We can only salivate at the danger and problems this duo will cause rival defences when they play together.
Defensively Arsenal lost Bacary Sagna to Manchester City, which propelled Wenger to go shopping and he bought French international Mathieu Debuchy as replacement.
Having now officially lost Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona (though he was no longer a fully-fledged regular in the last campaign) Arsenal need to do something defensively or they could struggle...
Although Arsenal's defence shows some promise, I still feel there are frailties in their set-up. I am not convinced that Mikel Arteta can effectively give cover to the central defence all alone without constant help -- even more so when the offensive minded Mesut Ozil comes back into the fold.
The central defence also has a speed 'worry' and either Wenger will have to adapt to compensate for this or, who knows, since he is in a rare buying mood, we might not be wrong to suggest to him a new acquisition in this sector.
Winning titles, no matter what kind of title, is a great morale booster for any team as it builds huge confidence in a team, the individual players, fans and, most of all, the technical crew.
Having added this season's opening trophy to their shelve not only gives fans much sought-after bragging rights, but we should expect it to also make them more patient in their exigencies towards Arsene Wenger and the club. The eventual serenity can only offer us a much better Arsenal.
In all we should expect, if their defence is improved, a more audacious and ambitious play from Arsenal this season with optimism for better results.
The season could not have started any better for Arsenal. The Premiership is back!
Just two games into the English Premier League and Manchester United are five points (synonymous to two competitive league games) behind league leaders Tottenham, Chelsea, Swansea and Manchester City.
It is official, Manchester United, who are in desperate need to stop the freefall that has befallen their season debut, has agreed to buy World Cup 2014 Argentine star Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid for an English record fee of £60 million.
When a top team struggles, it is mostly either due to philosophical deficiencies (ie who does what, when, where and how) or personnel problems (lack of quality players in certain key positions).
The worst scenario is when a team suffers from both deficiencies. Is that the case with Man United? Is it too early to know? And is the purchase of 'Angel' Di Maria enough to stop the freefall?
Just weeks ago as Man U marched on in style at their pre-season matches, few would have thought the present situation possible as they beat the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool to win the pre-season US tournament.
Unfortunately, I feel the premature success at this pre-season tournament helped mask the vacuums and weaknesses in the Man U set-up and did not help hammer in the desperate need for personnel reinforcement.
The situation is far from unsolvable and, in fact, we should take caution in shouting 'fire' as we have seen teams that started the season with as much as nine points behind still come back to win it all!
So far Man United have lost points to relatively smaller teams (even though Swansea are joint first at the moment) and one cannot help but wonder how Louis Van Gaal's wards will manage competition from the big guns like Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City.
Angel Di Maria will definitely give them an extra bite up front; he is fast, technical, eliminates opponents with ease, takes on responsibility, is left-footed, scores goals and is physically good enough to effectively do attacking and defending duties on a world class level. He is also coming off one of the best periods in his career (Champions League success with Real Madrid and an exceptional World Cup in Brazil).
He is definitely worth every penny to a team like Man United who today, though they have one of the best coaches in the world in Louis Van Gaal, lack creativity.
However, unfortunately after losing top defenders like Vidic, Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand, Angel Di Maria's arrival will not solve this defensive crisis that currently haunts Man U.
Defensively Man United are wanting and for a team to be top and dominant, it needs to have a very solid defensive framework, strong enough to not only withstand all kinds of attacks thrown at them but inspire fear in the opponent. Enough fear to discourage attacks and give the whole team enough confidence to attack without fearing what happens when they lose possession. At the moment they fear!
Manchester United fans must be worried that they will have to once again relive the dreadful season that they had last season under David Moyes (albeit that some fans chanted "we want Moyes Back" as Man U drew with Sunderland at the weekend).
However, in Van Gaal they should be rest assured that they have a better manager than last season but let's just hope that the marriage and his philosophy will work out...
Manchester United need to improve their personnel. They need to add more defenders to the Di Maria transfer and maybe tweak their defensive team philosophy to have a better network when not in possession.
Yes, Man U have both philosophical and personnel problems and that is a sign of disaster waiting to happen.
Angel Di Maria is here to strengthen Man United, but to run up the ladder in a hurry as Man United need to do, they need more than just this "Angel"!
The ability to waltz elegantly through chaotic airports like an individual actually on vacation isn't something you're born with; it is earned. Packing and planning for optimal travel serenity can take years of trips filled with stress and anxiety before you finally hit your stride and start coming out on top, no matter the lines or the hold-ups. The airport, or the train station or cruise ship dock is where many trips begin, and thus is your launchpad for an awesome trip, be it for work, pleasure or both.
What do the happiest travelers have going for them? Some might just force a smile and promise themselves a drink on board, while others likely spent the entire morning meditating as to fully relinquish control while the airport is still a mile away. But for someone without these capabilities, a little pre-planning and gathering of only the best supplies can stop that trip anxiety before it starts.
The following travel tips, packing hacks and apps can make your next trip the smoothest yet. Give them a try and tell us how it goes for you.
1. Find destination-specific navigation apps
A passenger uses an iPad navigation map in traffic.
If you're going to Los Angeles (or another city with tons of traffic), download Waze — it will give you turn-by-turn audio cues and advise on routes to avoid traffic. If you'll be getting around by public transit, you'll want HopStop.
For international travel, there are a number of apps that will download static maps so you can use them underground or if you don't have Wi-Fi, such as Stay.com for iOS and Android. (And speaking of Wi-Fi, you may want to consider purchasing a mobile hotspot or tethering your phone — many providers offer this as a monthly subscription service, and it's more secure than free public networks.)
For nearly any urban destination, you can rely on Uber, currently active in 32 countries.
But anyone who hasn't planned ahead can take advantage of publicly displayed maps — just take a photo with your phone and you're all set. If you rented a car, take a photo of the license plate, too. You'd be surprised at how often two white Corollas park next to each other.
2. Sign up for VIP airport services
TSA Precheck will save you from having to take off your shoes and pull your laptop out of your bag at the airport for the next five years — as long as your $85 application is approved. Clear is available in select airports and won't let you skip the security process altogether, but you do get to skip the line. It is currently available in 12 U.S. airports and costs $179 per year, a worthy price if it's available in your home airport and you fly frequently.
On the way back from your international jet-setting, you might consider Global Entry. Like Precheck, you must apply and be approved to take advantage. If approved, you can speed your way through customs and get home that much sooner.
It's easy to get on-the-go (and nearby) restaurant or nightlife recommendations from the Yelp andFoursquare apps. But with our faces in our phones, we sometimes forget the obvious sign of a great venue — is the place full, and do the customers inside seem to be locals?
If you're looking for more in-depth activity planning, the WikiSherpa app is highly recommended — the mashup of a map and travel guide offers tips on sights to see, and it also works offline.TripAdvisor also has offline city guides for 80 cities across the globe.
Another resource for finding solid recommendations from locals is Peek, which has options to ask both celebrities and its community to design a perfect day in their hometown. If you're really looking for an authentic take on a new town, you might try Tinder (really!). When I used the app on a trip to Puerto Rico, I met up with someone I had a mutual friend with who was in town for work — but you could just as easily meet a local who might be happy to show you around his or her town. In WeChat, you can use the shake feature to get connected with users nearby and send them a greeting — you'll have the most fun with this if you're traveling in China, where most of WeChat's user base is located.
4. Check airfare on multiple sites
A passenger plane shortly after takeoff at the Geneva international airport.
There's no secret sauce to booking cheap flights (although some data shows purchasing airfare54 days before takeoff is optimal). In scoring flight deals, there is only hard work — at least, if you're the type that considers web browsing to be work.
You'll want to check Kayak, Hipmunk, Living Social Escapes and Groupon Getaways to see if there's a deal for your preferred destination. I would add GetGoing's Pick Two, Get One to that list, if you're adventurous enough for mild gambling on where you'll land. Despite the rise in comprehensive search engines (see both Google and Bing), it's always possible that a site (or the airline itself) is offering some sort of special discount, so it's worth shopping around and being open to multiple airports in a region, too.
5. Download a language app
Language app Duolingo has amassed a cult following for offering free language lessons, possibly of higher quality than enrolling in a college-level language course. Do a few lessons on your international flight, and although you may not be fluent by the time you land, your practice will at least take the sting off that disorienting feeling of foreign conversations all around you.
Also useful are offline dictionary apps — check out Google Translate or QuickDic for Android, and iTranslate for iOS, which has text-to-speech and offline mode, too.
If you're truly keen on impressing those you're socializing with, you might look into VerbalizeIt, which sets you up with a translator-for-hire. Consumer plans start at $10 for five minutes and can help you make that transaction or get un-lost while abroad.
6. Pack like a pro
Baggage fees crept up on us — $25 here or there doesn't seem like much, but if you're a frequent traveler, it adds up, and it's an additional line to wait in when you arrive at the airport (plus, there's always the risk your bags won't make it to your destination).
Traveling with only one bag will save time and money, but more importantly — it's one less item to keep track of, boosting both your security and serenity as you're moving through airports, cabs and public places in an unfamiliar area.
No matter where you're headed (unless, of course, the trip is two weeks or longer), by packing only the essentials you should be able to make one bag work. Bring dark denim that can be dressed up or down, and a black blazer that will hide wrinkles. Wear your best multi-purpose shoes on the plane, and only pack a second pair if you'll need athletic shoes or something a little more formal.
If you worry about wrinkles, there's such thing as an inflatable hanger, which may be worth the investment. Rolling your clothes instead of folding them is another way to pack your bag efficiently and avoid wrinkles.
Lastly — don't forget to bring the one accessory you can't live without: an extra phone battery. Some savvy travelers also throw in a power cord in the event you find yourself killing time in an airport, needing to charge a laptop, tablet, camera and two phones all at once. Just be sure to check if you need to bring an adapter to use the local outlets.
7. Book only the first night
No matter what time you land, you don't want to be spending your first few hours running around and hoping a hotel has a vacancy. But after that, why stay tied down to a venue you chose with only the context of its digital presence? A quick walk through the neighborhood might leave you feeling you really want to stay in a different part, splurge on something superior or move somewhere more convenient.
Apps from HotelTonight and WeHostels will get you a last-minute room right from your phone. Since it was acquired by StudentUniverse, WeHostels added discount hotels to its app, and HotelTonight offers rooms ranging from affordable to high-end.
That being said, if you're just in town for business and your days are packed with meetings, perhaps booking the whole trip at your go-to hotel chain is a good idea. After all, who doesn't love hotel points?
Hopefully a few of these tips will change the way you travel. If you've got your travel persona down, kick back and take an airport selfie. What's your go-to travel tip? Tell us in the comments.
Well, another Apple keynote has come and gone. In the absence of any big hardware announcements, chief executive Tim Cook's biggest news on Monday was iOS 8, due in the autumn. Here are five other key takeaways from Cook's keynote address at the company's Worldwide Developer conference.
New 'health kit' relies on old hardware
iOS 8, which will be released in the autumn, will include a "Health kit" to organise data from fitness and health devices in a single place; it will also let you control connected smart home gear such as garage doors, smart light bulbs and door locks, and other internet-connected devices that comply with an Apple specification.
Noticeably, Apple didn't announce any new hardware – no new computers, no new phones (though those weren't expected; it releases those towards the end of the year, when people spend more), no "iWatch", no wearable fitness band, no new version of the Apple TV and nothing to do with Beats – apart from a phone call to Dr Dre by Craig Federighi, the head of software.
The search engine that shall not be named
Google doesn't seem to be flavour of the month in Cupertino. Chief executive Tim Cook spent some time talking about how many people Apple had persuaded to shift away from Google's Android mobile software to use iPhones and iPads (130 million in the past 12 months, he said – which, given that Apple sold 230m iOS devices in the same time, is quite a sizeable proportion. Half of new iOS users in China were previously on Android, he said.)
Google was mentioned a total of two times during the two-hour keynote. By contrast there were plenty more mentions for Microsoft's Bing search engine, which will provide translation in iOS 8. Also notable: DuckDuckGo, the tiny but privacy-sensitive search engine, will for the first time be available as a search engine option for both OS X (in the upcoming version, called "Yosemite") and iOS 8.
iMessaging
iMessage, Apple's proprietary messaging service (which sends messages encrypted on the data channel – so your phone can send messages via Wi-Fi as well as the mobile phone network) is getting a steroid injection. It will be able to send audio or video messages (which will expire after two minutes unless you opt to keep them), and group chats have been made simpler to participate in and leave.
Given that the Messages app (used to send iMessages and SMS) is the most-used app on iPhones, Apple is clearly looking to tie its existing user base in even more tightly. (The fact that iMessage ties people to iOS, the iPhone and iPad software, has led to a lawsuit: a woman who shifted to a Samsung phone and didn't get messages sent to her by her existing iPhone-using contacts is suing the company for $5m.)
Apple's non-legal answer to that is to encourage people to stick with iOS – and get a Mac computer too: the combination of iOS 8 and OS X "Yosemite" will mean that SMSs and phone calls that arrive on your phone will be sent, via a technology it calls "Handoff", straight to your desktop or laptop computer, where you can answer them – or initiate calls.
Goodbye, Dropbox
After years in which Dropbox and Google Drive have gotten people used to storing files "in the cloud", Apple is giving its iCloud service – introduced in 2011– a clearly visible file system, where you can sift through the files stored there and (try to) open them in any apps you have to hand on both your Mac and iOS device – and also on Windows, where iCloud will also be available as a web service.
Although Apple was actually ahead of both Microsoft and Google in introducing cloud file storage – it first did it in 2000 with iTools, which offered a mighty 20 megabytes (yes, megabytes) of storage. However, it struggled to cope with the scale of demand, and gradually moved away from file storage – until iCloud, and photo storage.
Photos will also be available across all your connected devices – and while Apple isn't quite offering to store them all forever for free, it is offering 5GB of storage for free (as happens now) and lower prices for larger stores – 20GB will cost $0.99 per month (or about $6 per year; UK prices haven't been released). That could be a problem for Dropbox.
New keyboards! Apps talking to each other!
Finally, for those who prefer Android's system where apps can talk to each other, and you can replace the default one with a third-party keyboard: Apple will introduce that in iOS 8. Third-party keyboards will be allowed, but the keyboard apps themselves won't be allowed to send data to the internet unless you explicitly allow it. (Apple has had longstanding concerns about keystrokes – which of course includes all your passwords for sites – being stolen.)
And apps will get "extensibility" – which means that you will be able to call Bing's translation service if you're on a Safari page, or call up a photo filter app while you're looking at a picture and apply it there and then. For anyone who has ever wanted to apply an Instagram filter to an existing picture they're looking at in their library, and then send it to Twitter, that's going to mean a lot less jumping between apps: rather than going to Instagram and then to Twitter, you'll be able to stay in the Photos app and do it all from there.
iOS 8 and OS X 10.10 "Yosemite" will be released in the autumn. Both will be free updates.
Most of us spend at least 40 hours a week at work, much of that time spent at our desks. We're composing emails, we're triaging tasks, we're jumping on phone calls, we're strategizing with co-workers. Your office is your home away from home, and your desk is essentially your bedroom. Shouldn't you make it your own and ensure that it's comfortable?
"It baffles me that while we spend so much time at work, most people don't bring their personality to their space," says Timothy Strudwick, art director at Equinox. "We all need to feel like we belong; why not make your workspace like your home space?"
Below, we spoke with a handful of men about how they design their workspaces as reflections of their personalities and as a way to drive productivity and creativity.
The Dark Loft
IMAGE: CHRISTINA ASCANI
Oliver Ripley is the co-founder and CEO for Ocean Group, a private investment company that builds businesses in high-growth industries to create long-term value. He is also co-founder and CEO for Black Ocean, a digital media company part of Ocean Group's holdings based out of their New York Offices (the Firehouse, pictured above).
The vibe... Clean, simple, organic and dark. The overall vibe is more about the building as a whole than the office alone. Our goal in redeveloping the building was to create a place where people would truly want to come to work, collaborate and be inspired, and I think we've accomplished that.
The environment... I surround myself with art, books, light and space. It helps clear my mind. I also have a loft area in my office, which gives me an alternative workspace to my desk when needed. The desk itself is made out of the original floors of the firehouse, which was opened September 11, 1895 (there's even a New York Times article chronicling the opening for its original tenants, Fire Patrol No. 3).
What's on my desk...
Six-pack of Smartwater: I drink it throughout the day to stay hydrated. It's the best tasting water.
Emergen-C and Aloha dried green juice powder (developed by my friend and highly recommended): I tend to travel a lot, so I mix the two and it helps my immune system stay healthy. It also makes the water taste better!
A black and gold Philippe Stark gun lamp, bought in Moscow: I think its a cool piece that's both functional and speaks to the overall aesthetic of the Firehouse itself.
Insanity photograph from Burning Man: We built the white ocean camp this year, and on our last day we went into the playa to take group photos. This photo was blown up by one of our friends and given to us as a present
My books: The James Bond Archives 007 edited by Paul Duncan. Ian Fleming went to my school, and he named some of the bond villains after boys that bullied him. There is a list of boys that attended my house, and Scaramanga's name was above my door in my first year, and I would see it every day. I soon became a diehard Bond fan.War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy — I grew up reading Russian literature, and my grandad produced the Soviet movie, which is almost 8 hours long, won an Oscar and was the most expensive movie in Soviet history.Backgammon by Magriel. It's the bible, and it's next to a backgammon board from Amazon.com — I'm obsessed. If I'm not playing using my set, then I'm playing on my phone.
A golden statue of Genghis Khan -– one of the most fascinating historical figures in my opinion. The statue was given to me as a present by a dear Mongolian friend who brought it all the way from Ulan Bator.
The Screen Trifecta
IMAGE: MASHABLE, CHRISTINA ASCANI
Steve Martocci is a co-founder of GroupMe, which was sold to Skype for $85 million in 2011. Today, he's working on his music startup Splice, cofounded with Matt Aimonetti, a former LivingSocial and Sony PlayStation engineer.
The vibe... Comfortable and creative.
The environment... I like keeping my desk up during the day so I can move around. It allows me to quickly walk over and get some email done between meetings. When I need to lock in and focus, I drop it down and get to work — hours can go by without even noticing.
What's on my desk...
Kinesis keyboard: It's very ergonomic and puts your thumbs to use for more than just the space bar. This is important for me because I broke my left wrist three times and had two surgeries on it. I used to have a lot of pain, and I use this to prevent it from returning.
Vertical monitor: I love using this when debugging front-end code. I keep the browser on top and the web inspector below.
Nexus 5 wireless charger: It makes it easy to drop my phone down when I'm in the middle of doing something. Things can get hectic around the office, and I hate taking time to plug things in over and over.
Imprint comfort mat: When you have a standing desk, a good mat is the key to endurance. It helps me stay comfortable even after standing for long periods of time.
A lot of the time I have the Abelton Push on my desk, since making music is now also a part of my job. The Push is an incredibly intuitive instrument/controller that has helped me get deeper into Ableton. It's really fun to play on — though I think I drive the office a little crazy with the guitar shreds I play when I leave my desk for a meeting.
The vibe... We start with a white canvas and everyone seems to create their own personal color palette. My belief is that ideas are affected by our environment, so I like to keep my space chock-full of inspiration. I have that smiling piece of pizza there, you see — you'd never believe how many ideas start with involving a 'smiling piece of pizza' and end up actually being good. It's also inspired ideas outside the office, *insert shameless plug here* like the creation of my foodstagram account @TheCheesious to showcase my love for cheese.
The environment... I can't hide the fact that we work in cubicles, but by being surrounded by items that inspire what I do in and out of work, I'm able to fuel my creative mindset for the day. On the verge of totally geeking out, 'embodied cognition' (how your body affects your mind) also plays a major role in my desk swag -– that's why I have tchotchkes on my desk that I can pick up and play with, hoping that touching those things will stimulate my brain in different ways.
What's on my desk...
Kool and the Gang poster: It's from a co-worker in Creative, Lauren Martiello. She was in Nashville at one of the most famous printer shops, Hatch Show Prints, and I guess I was on her mind.
Plants: They're good for productivity and lessen the feeling of being trapped inside.
The Ballast Projects sticker: Our Design Director Adam Mignanelli is a pretty dope art curator.
Books: They make me look smart as hell to anyone who doesn't know I live and breathe digital and haven't picked up hardcover or paperback since myGoosebumps phase.
Candy stash (not pictured): We keep an aggressive candy presence in the office, useful for breaking the ice, curing headaches and easing the pain of long days. #AgencyLife.
The Corner Loft
IMAGE: PHILIP KAFKA
Philip Kafka is the president and founder of Prince Media Co, which buys and markets walls for marketing in Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, Downtown Los Angeles, Detroit and parts of San Francisco.
The vibe... As an athlete [Kafka was previously a professional tennis player], I know that my best performances occurred when I was relaxed. We play great music in the office, we have a vibrant art collection and we don't have a formal dress code (but you do have to look good!). All in all, we believe that a relaxed but serious environment produces the best results. We have a relaxed vibe for a purpose, not simply for the sake of being relaxing — but there is a point where too relaxed an environment diminishes returns.
The environment... I am comfortable where I work and can spend hours in my workspace. Being in the office is never tedious, and it doesn't feel like a task. I look out onto Houston and Broadway, so the office pace never seems slow.
What's on my desk...
Money tree: The name speaks for itself!
The cube on the corner: It's by my artist friend, Charles Lutz. When I first started my company I was marketing BLANK walls, and I did a collaboration with Charles where we placed art on a handful of the walls I had just developed. His art made the walls easier to market! He gave me this nice piece as a gift, and not only do I like it, but it also reminds me of where I started.
Teapot: Nothing like drinking a short cup of hot tea to keep the mind sharp.
MoMa cube light: People love it, and so do I. Gives the desk a nice buzzzzzz when I'm working late.
Industrial C-clamps: They remind me that I'm a working man. I like the industrial vibe they give off, and they remind me to do the heavy lifting.
Business card holder: This was a thoughtful gift from Stephanie, my associate. It's made from reclaimed bike parts. She got it for me because I wouldn't be able to make as much business as I do without my bike!
The Stand-Up Coder
IMAGE: RAHIL SONDHI
Rahil Sondhi is a software engineer at InternMatch, an online platform connecting the intern candidates and employers.
The vibe... InternMatch has a fun vibe. Everyone is working hard, but we have nerf guns, footballs and an open office, so it’s easy to get to know everyone and be friends rather than just co-workers.
The environment... Our office uses a lot of thinking from the Stanford design school. There are different types of spaces (couches, standing whiteboards, small breakout rooms, etc.) so you can always find the right working environment for the type of project you are working on. Embracing the open-concept office has made us more collaborative and productive. I certainly love the flow of information across the office, the ability to innovate and the spirit of camaraderie with my coworkers.
What's on my desk... I'm a minimalist and a clean freak. That means I only have exactly what I need and no clutter. I have my 13" MacBook Pro sitting on an mStand Laptop Stand, a 23" ViewSonic IPS monitor, a Kinesis Freestyle2 split keyboard, an Apple Magic Mouse, and a Bluelounge Milo to hold my phone. I always try to ensure I have a sketchbook nearby, just in case I need to work out a new idea or easily take it with me on the go. Technology is great, but it doesn't mean all of the traditional tools need to be left to the wayside.
The vibe... It is was deliberately designed to have a creative look but a welcoming vibe. Because of how much time we spend in the office, I wanted it to be a place that felt more like home than an office.
The environment... I arrange my office to match my creative process, which is pretty evenly split between outlining the rational elements that make up a creative strategy and the visual elements that make up their design. So I use my desk for the rational elements like writing, sketching and making notes. The combination works for me, and having our work hanging in my office makes it a gathering place for the team, who made my office a ‘factory' Foursquare check-in and put a Foursquare sticker on my door.
What's on my desk...
8-bit Post-It note self-portrait: I was working and traveling in Europe for a few weeks at the end of last year, and when I came back I found that my team had created a huge 8-bit-style self-portrait of me on the wall of my office out of Post-It notes. I loved it so much I never wanted to take it down.
Hanging crit rail: I use a long crit rail to hang sketches, photos and designs from all of our ongoing projects. I like seeing digital work in an analog form, and having our work hanging in my office makes it a gathering place for the team and clients to come in and discuss problems and ideas with me.
Urban Vinyl toy collection: It is the cliched part of any designer's office, but I've been collecting designer toys for over a decade, and my collection has reached a point where some of it has spilled out of my house and into my office.
The Co-Worker
IMAGE: MARK DORISON
Mark Dorison is a DUMBO-based independent iOS and web developer. He is the principal consultant at Arkic and co-founder of City Notes, which publishes city guide apps and travel content.
The vibe... Cheerful, clean and organized.
The environment... Unlike some of my other studiomates [at Swissmiss' Brooklyn Studiomatesco-working space], all of my work is digital, so I like to have a sparse physical workspace to start my day. Things sometimes accumulate, but I try to straighten it up before I leave each evening, and anything that must remain is a giant blinking to-do in my mind.
What's on my desk...
Roll & Hill modo desk lamp: My wife and I received this as a wedding present. It reminds me of her and of our wonderful friends.
Jambox: For filling the studio with music.
iPad Mini: If I am not using it for testing an iOS app I am working on, I use the iPad once or twice a day for a quick reading-break away from my desk.
University of Florida water bottle: I have to represent my alma mater. Go Gators!
My dog, Hudson (technically he's more 'under' than 'on' the desk): I try to bring him a few times a month, or just enough so that everyone in the studio is still excited to see him.
The Data Den
IMAGE: MASHABLE, CHRISTINA ASCANI
Vijay Subramanian is chief analytics officer at Rent the Runway, where he uses big data to help drive business decisions across marketing, operations, product and technology, inventory buying and planning, and customer service.
The vibe... Functional with a quirky personality. There are allusions to both science and hip hop!
The environment... Standing/being in motion most of the day feels healthy and energizing. I think better on my feet (no pun intended), especially at the numerous impromptu meetings at my desk. When I need to rest and reflect, I flex to the sitting position.
What's on my desk...
Coffee mug: The design on the mug represents the equations we are unlocking at Rent the Runway
The $ chain is hopefully the result of such equations.
Rent the Runway water bottle: I had a choice of black and pink, and naturally gravitated toward pink.
The vibe... My desk vibe is organized chaos — the walls are a mess and the desk is immaculate. It's a living collage of inspiration that keeps me motivated. Everything has its place.
The environment... It's terribly important that my desk space feel like my space. Usually one of the first things I do with jobs is 'move in.' I enjoy evolving my desk space over time with my work. I've traveled with totems and scraps of artwork for years at a time for them to finally find a place on my desk or walls. Quiet music, a nice candle and loads of visual stimulation help me to focus on my role within the creative department.
What's on my desk...
'Bitches in glass houses shouldn't throw bitches': This was given to me by my Creative Director Liz Nolan. It reminds me how lucky I am to have a partner and boss that gets me and totally thinks on the same plane as I do. It also reminds me to have fun. I am blessed to love what I do; even when it's tough, it's still fun.
Framed Polaroid of pigeons: These pigeons flew into my first apartment when I moved to New York 10 years ago. It's a reminder to me of how crazy and unpredictable this city can be, and of how far I have come in my career.
Gloomy Bear: He's pink and cute and looks totally lovable and covered in gore. I think it's such design genius; I love the subversive nature of it. It's part of what I do — take something and turn it on its head for our members to view through a different lens.
My Swiss ball: It keeps me upright, and I find myself absentmindedly bouncing along to my music while I work (rather embarrassing when I don't realize co-workers are watching). And like many things about Equinox, it's good for me.
Pantone Cool Grey 10C chair: My studio manager bought it for my desk before I arrived — how could she have known that it was the perfect color for me! I am very attached to it.
The vibe... The vibe of the desk is much like that of a miniature laboratory. Many times, when we're debugging hardware, it's more efficient to just sit at my desk as opposed to in our real lab, because most of the tools we need are all right here. The desk is always ready for action. Many fun puzzles have been solved (or sometimes left as a mystery) here.
The environment... As a constant reminder of how far we've come, I like to keep some of the historical pieces of our projects on the desk as a reminder of where we've been and obstacles we've overcome. These old prototypes sometimes get recycled into newer projects, too. In terms of raw efficiency, the desk has a healthy amount of monitor real estate. One third is dedicated to a Windows-based firmware development virtual machine. The rest is dedicated to other stuff, reviewing schematics/datasheets, email, browsing baby animals on reddit, and keeping my to-do list refreshed. Most of my inspiration comes from all of the amazing dogs we have in the office. Fortunately, a couple of them have beds nearby, which is great!
What's on my desk...
Nerf basketball goal: We have a saying on the firmware team that we borrowed from Nike: "Just Dunk It." It's our Hakuna Matata around here, and we use it for expressing good situations and bad. It has evolved into a super versatile catch-all mantra.
Knock on wood: Our cofounder Steve's grandfather made everyone handcrafted pieces of wood with the Whistle logo. He believes that knocking on wood brings good luck, and he makes them just for fun. We often knock on these when someone makes a statement that we hope ends up being true. Sometimes I use it for holding open my window too, so it's a highly useful piece of lumber.
Don't not enter (not pictured): There's a little window with wood all around it on the side of my desk that's a fun project we worked on at the Freescale Technology Forum 2014 hackathon. It is an Internet-enabled cat door that you can control from your iPhone. Sparkles puts her paw on the capacitive touch sensor, you get a notification, and make a decision on whether or not to let her in. We ended up winning the grand prize at FTF, and we're still tweaking it to do other cool stuff. It's on my desk because I'm currently adding stealthy new features to it.
Fortune cookie wisdom: I keep a fortune that I recovered from a cookie taped to my monitor. I try to incorporate its message into my day-to-day: 'Excuses are easy to manufacture, and hard to sell.'
The Open-Floorplan Desk
IMAGE: MASHABLE, CHRISTINA ASCANI
Stephan Hoefnagels is the director of user experience at ZocDoc. His team is responsible for designing ZocDoc.com, including the mobile apps, tools for doctors, and communications and marketing collateral.
The vibe... We're always iterating and testing out new things at ZocDoc, and my team's workspace reflects this. We frequently move desks so that team members who are working closely on a particular project can sit together. The environment is casual — some like to sit on exercise balls, others prefer their makeshift standing desks. We've found when employees are most comfortable, they are also at their most creative.
The environment... I think my desk is seen as a calm place within a flurry of activity. But actually, I try not to spend a lot of time at my desk. I spend most of my time at my team's desks to have design reviews, informal brainstorms and work together towards solutions.
What's on my desk...
Device lab: This is where we test how our work is displayed both on various browsers and on different devices including phones and tablets. This allows us to ensure that the user experience is smooth and cohesive across all platforms.
Ollie award: At the end of every year, we give out this award to recognize seven employees who exemplify each of ZocDoc's seven core values. The Ollie on my desk is an early 3D-printed prototype of the statuette.
Design boards: We display all of our works-in-progress on large boards around the office. This makes it easy to visualize the end product, discuss its direction and review our work collaboratively.
Pantone color swatches: I consult this often to make sure our colors are consistent across all type of media. When it comes to color, attention to detail is key. These swatches allows us to ensure that the colors on the ZocDoc site are the exact same whether they are displayed on a computer screen or printed out.
The vibe... Minimal and monochromatic. When my desk is organized, my thoughts are organized.
The environment... The overall style of the objects on my desk are sparse and reserved — which correlates with the way I design. Usually, the more simplistic something is, the easier it is to understand.
What's on my desk...
Sketchbook and Zebra pencils: In this digital age it’s nice (and extremely fast) to sketch layout ideas and design flows on paper before using a computer. Slinging pixels around in Photoshop can be fast, but not pencil-and paper-fast.
Pioneer HDJ-1000 Headphones: I mix and produce music as an additional creative outlet and hobby. These headphones come in handy while at the office — great to block out distractions and focus on the deep problem solving stages of a design.
Matchbook from Charlie Bird: Working with Cover is really great way to stay up to date on the best restaurants in the city. My current favorite is Charlie Bird: a modern Italian restaurant with a hip-hop vibe. Nice aesthetic choices on the matchbook, too.
The Laddie Ten Scotch from Bruichladdich: Good tasting single malt. Nice looking bottle. You know, for when you need that extra kick of creativity.
The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst: This is basically the bible for any designer that loves typography. Most of my work strips away unnecessary elements down to the core of a message or experience. Solid typography is a must for this style of design.
The Punchy Desktop
IMAGE: LYFT
Zach Cole is social media manager at Lyft in San Francisco.
The vibe... Our brand's space at Lyft is always calm, colorful and creative. We all sit in pods, which makes it easy to just holler across the table to ask a question or start an impromptu brainstorm. None of our work is created in isolation; the workspace is designed to be as collaborative as possible.
The environment... I try to keep my desk free from too much clutter (although I sometimes fail) so that I can focus better. To keep things lively, we have a number of plants around the office, and I have a couple on my desk. I also like to keep a few objects around that have been part of my Lyft journey.
What's on my desk...
California coffee mug: This given to me for free by Bear State Coffee. I always tell people that San Francisco takes coffee really seriously, and it's fun to have a mug that reflects this sentiment.
Pink boombox: It was a prop we used at Lyft Recess during this year's SXSW. We had an amazing time there bringing a bit of nostalgia and delight to the streets of Austin.
Hot Wheels cars: These are from when we created stop-motion videos on Instagram for new city launches. These cars were used in the Indianapolis video.
Custom notebook: My notebook was a generic notebook with someone else's logo on it that I had lying around. I re-skinned it the way they teach you in high school with textbooks, and drew my own Lyft logo. I prefer to use pen and paper to keep notes and track the projects I'm working on.
Cards from coworkers: I have a stack of cards that I've received from co-workers over time. Sometimes for no real reason at all you'll get a nice note from a co-worker here, and it just makes your day. I like keeping these around as reminders of the amazing people I get to work with every day.
The vibe... Stark at the best of times, a mess the majority of the time. I like to keep the palette neutral with a plant or two and some neon highlighters to add color.
The environment... I subscribe to the theory that a tidy desk space promotes better and more efficient work, but often times things explode. At Harry's we are constantly developing new products, so I end up collecting a massive amount of sample products, materials, books and vendor catalogs. These things stack up quickly so it feels great to clean, organize, and start the day fresh. That's when I do my best work.
What's on my desk...
Muji Highlighters: I worked with Karim Rashid for several years and learned a lot while working with him. At any given moment he would make amazing sketches using whatever drawing utensil was laying around — it could be a crayon, a marker, chalk, you name it. Whenever a highlighter was available he would make his most amazing drawings. Super colorful and gestural. I keep these highlighters handy so I can be inspired to draw in my down time (I'm basically trying to copy him).
Muji Notebook: Sounds like I'm sponsored by them. For the last 4 years, I have been buying these sketchbooks and labeling them to keep an archive. I'm on #16 now. I should sketch more.
Miniature Porcelain Boston Terrier: I have a Boston Terrier named Meow. This is as close to a photo of my wife and kids as I'm likely to get.
What's your workspace like? Tell us in the comments.
By winning the prestigious English FA Cup in May, Arsene Wenger silenced some vicious critics that accused Arsenal of putting the financial health of the club ahead of winning trophies.
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