written by Gino on graphicgazette.com
The main tool of graphic designer is the computer and that means there is going to be a lot of time spent in the computer chair. With so much time spent in one area, why not make it as comfortable, healthy and green as possible? I spend countless hours on the computer, so I love to get outdoors whenever possible. This inspired me to think of ways to bring the outdoors inside and to make my office a little more eco-friendly and comfortable to work in. The ideas below are simple, affordable and will help turn your office into an indoor paradise!
Tips to Green Up Your Graphic Design Office
1. New Desktop Wallpaper
This may seem like a simple fix, but change is good and its time to ditch the default wallpaper! You spend a lot of time face to face with your computer’s desktop background so try finding something like a beautiful nature landscape. Change it up every few weeks to keep things fresh. There are many beautiful free nature wallpapers available for all types of monitor sizes and setups. Below are some places you can find some. My current desktop background is photograph of some gorgeous snow covered mountains.
- 99 Amazing Widescreen Wallpapers To Spice Up Your Desktop
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2. Live Plants
Fake plants may be easy to take care of, but live plants are so much better! All they need is a little water and sun and they will provide you with better air, beautiful indoor scenery and some smell great. Hit up your local plant nursery or home depot and get a few plants suited for indoor growth. There are so many plants available that you are bound to find something that fits your style. Just make sure you keep your plants healthy because it can be a downer looking at dead plants!
3. Fresh Air
Another simple way to enhance your office is to get an air purifier, which can make the air you breathe cleaner. Dust and germs can pile up in the house quick so its a good idea to purify the air. You should also open your windows as much as possible to let some fresh air in and consider getting a great smelling air freshener to add that extra touch.Honeywell makes very popular and good air purifiers such as this tabletop one perfect for a home office. Its a bestseller on Amazon.com, it’s easy to clean and is very affordability priced. They have larger versions available for bigger rooms.
4. Move to a Room With a View
For many years I worked in a basement office and let me tell you, it’s not fun! If you have the option, try moving your office to another room in your home or apartment so you have a better view. It can be a great feeling to have a nice breeze and a wonderful view of some trees or greenery while working long hours inside. Best of all, the natural light during the days can help you save money on your electric bill!
5. Natural and Energy Saving Light Bulbs
Full spectrum light bulbs are great for artists because they help make sure the colors they are using appear in their natural hue and are a much better source of light than other types of lightbulbs. Also look for energy star light bulbs, which use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb. This way you get better lighting for your studio, you save money and you help the environment! Don’t forget to change out the rest of the bulbs in your house and your outdoor lights. You will be amazed at how much money you can save over just a few months.
6. Photo Wallpapers and Natural Colored Paints
A great way to make a dramatic change to your home office is to change what is on the walls. One option is to repaint the walls a natural color that is soothing to the eyes, which will help reduce eye strain. Another option is to find some cool photo wallpaper of a landscape such as a waterfall, bamboo forest, mountains or something similar.
You can also do both and have one wall with the photo wallpaper and the other walls a new paint color that compliments it, this way its not too overwhelming and creates balance in the room. Here is an example of a Bamboo forest wall mural and also be sure to buy eco-friendly paint as mentioned in this article about green remodeling.7. Recycle
Graphic designers can produce a lot of waste so its essential you recycle if you want to help green up your office. Be sure to recycle everything you can such as paper, printer ink and dispose of any chemicals or paints properly. Also whenever possible, use digital proofs to help save on printing paper and ink and ditch those paper cups and plastic water bottles! You should also properly dispose of old electronics such as computers, TVs, air conditioners, etc. by checking your local city guidelines. Usually, they have special pick up days or a recycling center you can haul stuff too.
Conclusion
There are plenty of other ways to green your office as well, including upgrading old appliances, watching water usage, turning off lights and electronics when not use and so on. How far you want to go is up to you and your budget, just remember all these little things add up to equal a more relaxing and eco-friendly home office.
If you think of any other great green office tips or want to post photos of your office, use the form below!
Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkmousie/4361251304/
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