#goodsmiths

Goodsmiths.com, a website much like Etsy, but deals only with handmade goods, is now open for business. Take a look around and purchase something fun.

Rachel McClung

Design Lead, Goodsmiths

Who are you, and what do you do?

I’m a designer. My job is to synthesize various kinds of information into one cohesive visual form. It’s not all pretty pictures and games, though — I put logic behind every design decision.

What hardware are you using?

I have a 17" MacBook Pro from 2009. Last fall, I upgraded to a solid state drive, and it's like having a new computer (can’t recommend SSDs enough). I like to keep up on the latest Apple products, but since models change all the time, I try to make the most of what I have while the AppleCare lasts.

When working at a desk, I use a Magic Trackpad to keep my wrist neutral. To keep tabs on everything else, I use my iPhone 4. It’s my first smartphone, and the ability to look up anything almost anywhere still amazes me.

I like to use unlined paper for notes and sketching. Sharpie recently came out with a line of pens that I’ve been experimenting with, but I’m still hunting for the perfect writing utensil.

And what software?

As a designer, I’m tied to the Adobe Creative Suite for design work. Overall, CS5 is a relatively stable product and doesn’t crash much, but some of the inconsistencies between programs for shortcut keys and other tasks bother me.

Chrome is the browser I use the most, followed by Firefox. I find Safari’s approach to be more dated, as I have a habit of typing search queries into the address bar.

Other go-to programs include TextEdit and Focus Booster. TextEdit is nice and light for saving short notes or removing formatting from text. Focus Booster is a free timer app based on the Pomodoro Method. I use it as a tool to get me started on those tough to tackle projects. It’s also handy for keeping small tasks from taking longer than they need to...

What would be your dream setup?

I’d like to pay once for the internet and be able to use it everywhere — on my phone, in the car, at home. At a super high speed, of course.

For software, I'm waiting for that magical web design program that will combine the pixel-precision of Photoshop with the organizational power of InDesign. Ideally, it would have the ability to manage copy globally with styles that could export into a CSS file.