Software I use, gadgets I love, and other things I recommend.
I get asked a lot about the things I use to build software, stay productive, or buy to fool myself into thinking I’m being productive when I’m really just procrastinating. Here’s a big list of all of my favorite stuff.
Workstation
16” MacBook Pro, M1 Max, 64GB RAM (2021)
I was using an Intel-based 16” MacBook Pro prior to this and the difference is night and day. I've never heard the fans turn on a single time, even under the incredibly heavy loads I put it through with our various launch simulations.
Dell 4K Display
Its no Apple Pro Display XDR but it does the job. I actually use it as my main screen when using Figma, VSCode or video editing and use the Macbook screen for references, slack etc.
Apple Magic Trackpad
Something about all the gestures makes me feel like a wizard with special powers. I really like feeling like a wizard with special powers.
Herman Miller Aeron Chair
If I'm going to slouch in the worst ergonomic position imaginable all day, I might as well do it in an expensive chair.
Development tools
Visual Studio Code
All of the fancy IDE features everyone else relies on, VSCode is still the best text editor ever made. I use Palenight Theme.
Nextjs
I didn't understand react until Next.js appeared then everything started to click.
TablePlus
Great software for working with databases. Has saved me from building about a thousand admin interfaces for my various projects over the years.
Design
Figma
We started using Figma as just a design tool but now it's become our virtual whiteboard for the entire company. Never would have expected the collaboration features to be the real hook.
Hustl
Hustl is great for creating time-lapse videos when designing icons or user interfaces. It's an excellent way for me to provide a behind-the-scenes look at personal projects that I'm working on.
Screen Studio
Excellent for creating product demos or promotional videos for digital products. When it comes to editing and creating a professional high-quality video, this is a huge time saver.
UX Research
User Testing
My daily tool for carrying out user research. Their contributor network is extensive and really helps when building tools for global audiences.
Google Analytics
Quantitative data, provides valuable insights that most methods of qualitative data can't provide. The trick is to use both together, to paint a full picture of what's happening, why it's happening and what to do about it.
Productivity
Raycast
Great extention list to boost your productivity when designing and coding. The search through Figma is particularly helpful.
Linear
Honestly the best tool for organisation and product development hands down. I use this to organise my side projects and the design team at Linear are 🤌🤌.
Focus
Simple tool for blocking distracting websites when I need to just do the work and get some momentum going.