Graphic designer Sarah spends most of her time computing from her notebook and her evening’s are spent spreading out paper, prints and her notebook to bring her work full size. She spends most of her afternoon hunched over her desk in discomfort and working out of a cramped and messy space. Her current mousepad is old and tiny and doesn’t offer even the minimum amount of space required for simple keyboard shortcuts or a long trackpad glide.
One of the most common error made in the setup of workspaces for extended computer use, is the incorrect choice of work surface.
A comfortable working space allows for adequate room between you and your desk, a factor that is frequently overlooked until comparing different options side by side.
The ergonomic foundation of effective workspace design
You might think of ergonomics in relation to expensive ergonomic chairs and tilt-screen computers. But there’s also the surface on which you work – and working off a naked desk can put you at risk of repetitive strain injury as you lean to one side to rest your wrists and forearms on the desk.
This desk mat creates a barrier between you and your work surface by equally distributing pressure to prevent damage to your computer components. Additionally, instead of resting your wrists on the hard edge of your desk, the mat provides a soft and padded area to place your wrists to prevent any potential harm from repetitive strain or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Our product relieves your hands, wrists and arms from absorbed stress caused by repetitive typing and mouse movement and evenly distributes this stress across the mat surface. In addition to this, the surface of the mat provides a number of benefits that traditional keyboards and carpets do not. Our product provides a smooth surface allowing your mouse to track consistently. No more loud noises and jerky movements as your mouse moves from carpet to keyboard and back again. Say goodbye to having to constantly alter your mouse sensitivity due to the presence of other objects on your work surface.
The hand remains naturally upright during use and allow the user to focus on the task rather than the uneven surface.
Getting organized is good for the mind by creating a more functional space. This compact work station keeps everything contained and prevents items from overflowing over the edge.
Why customization transforms functionality into personal expression
Most traditional desk accessories are developed with a one-size-fits-all approach. Unlike most ‘standard’ products, Desktop Explorers begin from the specific size and configuration of a typical desk and develop accessories tailored to the individual needs and personality of that space.
Customization changes this dynamic entirely.
Rather than opting for the generic ‘sized to fit’ approach, by working with the exact dimensions required for the mat design, removes the need for compromise. This results in the mat extending exactly the right amount to protect the whole keyboard, right to the edge of the keys, as well as providing sufficient clearance for mouse movement. The result is a mat that fits perfectly, without any unused dead space and without any unsightly excess fabric gathering dirt and flaking away at the edges.
I’ve probably gone a bit over the top with customisation on this Ubuntu installation (there’s a load more that I haven’t put up here). However, changing the look and feel of your workspace is a fundamental part of turning somewhere you spend time into somewhere you enjoy spending time. The space you work in can affect your mood, inspire you or prevent you from using the space – and, of course, vastly enhance your ability to create and think creatively.
Working in a space that feels ‘yours’ means you are more likely to fully engage with your work as opposed to being in a generic space. The colours, patterns and different textures used will allow the space to not only be functional but also create a space that reflects your individuality. It must feel very personal and thoughtfully curated, as opposed to filling the space with randomly collected things.
Matching mat dimensions to workspace realities
Desks come in all shapes and sizes. While there are desks meant for the home office, there are also desks that are more suited to the corporate office or the shared space of a co-working environment. The options for a compact apartment desk will differ from those suited to a formal executive desk versus a high tech gaming computer station versus an accounting work station.
Most desk mats are made to fit standard sized desks, however nothing is standard when it comes to office furniture and your desk may have special features such as a monitor riser, drawer pulls or cable management system that need to be catered for. Our custom desk mats enable you to order a mat the exact size you need to completely wrap your desk.
Material considerations for long-term performance
It helps to choose a mat made from the right material. Many have a textured surface which facilitates the movement of the mouse cursor but can be uncomfortable to type on. Others have a smooth surface and are very comfortable to type on but not very good for cursor precision especially for fine scale work.
Another consideration is the thickness of the wiremat. Some wiremats are thicker and provide more shock absorption, but can pose problems for even typing. Others are thinner and allow knitters to work at a comfortable height for their desk, yet lack shock absorption of thicker mats.
Integration with existing workspace elements
This desk mat is one of many products that you have to consider in relation to other items that you already have and will also add to your collection. Main considerations include raising your keyboard to an appropriate operating position, accommodating your monitor, and storing any desk accessories which you currently have lying out on your desk and use regularly.
My go-to answer for the best desk mat is whatever one is invisible, and you can’t tell it was there until you unstick it from your working surface. That’s basically the highest compliment you can give to any ergonomic product.
