Setting up the studio

Sometimes I have an amazing idea for a project and once I finally build up the motivation to actually get started I open the door to my workbench and I immediately close the door again because I think "I can't work in that mess!... I'll clean it later..."
And that is the reason why I've decided to make an attempt at organizing my workspace. 

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If you're not familiar with what I do, I make YouTube videos about building model scenery. To keep myself motivated I like to have a clean workbench, I see it as a clean slate ready for the next video.
​Sometimes after I finish filming a video I leave the workbench in a complete mess and it takes me nearly 2 weeks sometimes to clean it up and start on the next video... I'll often see the mess and instantly become unmotivated which results in nothing happening.

To help keep things organised and in their place I put the recently acquired laser cutter to use. Labeling the shelf directly behind the workbench will enable me to use the tools and materials needed and after use I can place them on the appropriate shelf instead of leaving them on the workbench taking up space.
The laser cutter was primarily purchased for building scale models however it is fantastic for so much more, so far I've not only made the Moe's Tavern building and some small details like fences but I've also made an awesome Paint Rack that is custom built to fit Vallejo paints, I made some Christmas ornaments and now some signs to organise my workflow. 

It's only been just over 2 months since moving to the new location in Queensland and it took that long to finally set up my workspace so that I actually feel good about working in it. 
It's made me realise just how important having a comfortable workspace is especially when it comes to being productive.
I used the word comfortable for a reason, not everyone works best in a clean workspace, some people do their best work in areas that some may consider messy and others may consider it practical. It's important to have a set up whether messy or clean that YOU feel good about and what motivates you to do the work.
For me that is a clean and well organised area.

The second most important aspect to a good workspace is lighting, you have to be able to see what your doing in good light.
Be careful if you use a incandescent light bulb as well, the kind typically found in desk lamps because they are often yellow and what looks good under a yellow light may not look so good when in other types of light especially daylight. I try to set my workbench lights to a color temperature of between 5500k to 6500k, you can see in the image above showing the entire workspace that I have LED light panels that are a very bright and white light which is perfect for getting the daylight appearance. That way when I'm trying to choose colors I'm getting an accurate representation of that color in daylight conditions which is essential for building realistic scenes. Color choice make all the different! 

Now I have a clean workspace I have no excuses but to finish the next video :-)