Aaron Easler, Partner & Creative Director
“Shortly before all of this madness, I started working at home more regularly in the comfort of this ridiculous racing simulator that is actually in my house. The monitor placement is perfect, the seat stays still so I’m not so fidgety, and distractions are minimized.
Three weeks in, and I’m already missing casual conversation and occasional recreational breaks of the office. Luckily, the tiny table I put my laptop on allows me to put my coffee far too close to it all the time still. Outside of work, the extra time at home has given me a chance to cook a lot more regularly, including some pizzas made with dough courtesy of our friends at Iron Born. My Press House Coffee subscription is getting a workout, my Iron City supply is dwindling, and I’m getting to use the simulator for its intended purpose more often than I have in a long time.”
As a bonus, look at Aaron’s inspiring work-from-home coffee bar:
Bobby Baker, Designer
“I’ve lived alone for over two years now so being isolated is nothing new to me. I’ll be honest, I don’t mind it. However, I miss playing basketball/darts with my friends at Top Hat and watching Beavis & Butthead during lunch.
I also miss my standing desk and shouting insults into the higher ranking “office” just around the corner. I’m sure everyone is enjoying not hearing the same five records I listen to every single week. My little Bob corner at my apartment is working out quite well.
I stole the monitor from the agency (I tried calling you for permission, Aaron, but you never picked up). It’ll be nice to get back to the normal routine, even though this is becoming quite normal itself.”
Ian George, Designer
“Since quarantine, I now start each day doing yoga with my partner, Adina, to help wake me up and prevent me from turning into a hunchback. I then make myself coffee, which I never used to do at home, and work from extra room in our apartment.
Although I like my desk setup, it suffers from a lack of nearby outlets, so I’m frequently moving to the couch when my laptop is going to die. I can also use all the design books I own that have mostly been decoration until now.”
Benji Kostenbader, Developer
“Sometimes web development requires technical, detailed communication and short in-person meetings. Most of the time it’s typing away by yourself and making sure things happen the way you want them to. I’ve been using this opportunity to take a bite out of a few of our larger web projects and eat lunch every day with my wife and son!
My current morning commute is a 30-step walk to my office, with a nice little balcony should things warm up before life returns to normal. As a side benefit of the sunny windows, I get to witness livid drivers emerging from fender-benders on Liberty Avenue at least once a week.”
Amanda Clegg, Designer
“Most days, I’m content being just with myself when working — so this transition wasn’t terribly challenging. Like Bobby, I also wanted to steal a monitor from the office. But I chickened out. I prefer to work in my papasan chair with my laptop anyway. It’s difficult to get out of the chair after locking myself in with my lap desk; therefore it forces me to be less antsy and stay focused.
I replaced my AM commute with making delicious french toast, and have been using the extra time to inspire myself with old and new ideas, create with friends at a distance, indulge in movies, and just be. I also frequently support my favorite local restaurants for dinners. Trying to stay focused on the positives, and take advantage of extra cuddles from my sister’s dog, Copal.”
Brian Kaldorf, Product Photographer
“So, this is my setup. Not a great deal has changed since the pandemic has started (with the exception of my shooting space moving from my studio to my kids playroom).
My standard operating procedure has always been to photograph in studio or on location and then bring the content back to my home office for editing. In that regard, I’m quite content with the current setup. Where things have gotten a bit wonky is having to now share the space and computer time with my 7 and 9 year old, who are being schooled remotely via online instruction. They like the setup, but think I have bad taste in decor. Oh well.”
Ben Butler, Founder & Pam Butler, Photographer
Ben:
“Up until the COVID-19 quarantine I had been traveling non-stop for the latter part of 2019 and early 2020. Pam said she wished we had more time together and now we’ve been working from the same desk every day … Be careful what you wish for, and all that.
It honestly isn’t bad at all — I’ve been waking up earlier, working later, and actually exercising. I’m still able to carry out speaking engagements, just via Zoom rather than on-site.
We do all we can to support local restaurants with biweekly take-out orders. Our dedicated support to local breweries and craft coffee — like our people at Press House Coffee — has led to record consumption on both fronts.”
Pam:
“Working from home can be an immensely fulfilling experience. There’s something special about walking to the kitchen in your slippers, fixing a cup of coffee, and heading to your home office for a full day’s work.
I’ve had the opportunity to WFH through past employers so I understand the many benefits that can happen as a result. Ben and I are enjoying the extra time together. I don’t want to kill him yet, but we still have a few week to go.”