“The city noise and humidity stress me out quickly, which makes it hard for me to concentrate on working,” says painter and illustrator Tokwa Peñaflorida. He takes inspiration from open spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows so a greenhouse-like structure—not too big but enough to house his art materials and to entertain guests—is his dream art space.
Aside from working on her watercolor illustrations, calligraphy, and, more recently, street art, Anina Rubio is a self-confessed adventure seeker. “My ideal workspace revolves around black, white, and wood, bombarded with inspirations from the mountain and sea adventures.” An ample desk space, classical or Zen music, and a glass of iced coffee are the three things she could never work without.
Videographer Judd Figuerres’ work entails tons of legwork but when it comes to the real grind—video editing—he yearns for a simple yet cozy sanctuary. “I don’t like the feeling of being inside a boxed space. I need big windows to bring in more light and also to give me an illusion of an extended space,” he says. Two other crucial things necessary for productive desk work are a big monitor and a really comfortable leather couch for that much needed power nap.
