What’s REALLY on Jess Weatherbed’s Desk?

A Tech Writer’s Gothic Oasis: Inside Jess Weatherbed’s Home Office

Jess Weatherbed, a news writer for The Verge, took an unconventional path to journalism. She honed her skills in prosthetics and wig making. It’s a background that might seem unusual for a tech writer, but Weatherbed has always been drawn to the world of technology. For 16 years, she’s used drawing tablets for her design passions, from digital illustration and animation to 3D sculpting. "I initially learned to build computers to support my nerdier gaming hobbies," she explains, "and my love of tech and gadgets has grown from there."

Her home office, a testament to her individual style and love for tech, is anything but conventional. It’s a meticulously crafted gothic oasis, a stark contrast to the pastel-hued setups often marketed towards female gamers. "I wanted to see if I could put together a witch-themed setup that contrasts with the usual pastel palettes… which is lovely but isn’t at all my vibe," Weatherbed says.

The heart of her workspace is a Friska Stockholm corner desk, an electric sit-stand option. She likes the freedom it offers to switch between a traditional desk setup focused on writing for The Verge and a creative corner where she can focus on her art using her Huion Kamvas 24 Pro 4K display drawing tablet.

"I am a creature of bad habits," she admits, "but it does give me plenty of space… If I can get around to sorting out the jungle of cables underneath, I’ll start looking for a compact electric treadmill to make full use of the desk’s sit / stand capabilities."

A Razer Enki Pro gaming chair, a sturdy survivor of several moves and LAN events, completes the setup. "It’s taken a beating… You can see I’ve started concealing them using stickers," Weatherbed says with a chuckle. "I wouldn’t advocate spending this much on a gaming-style chair unless you had specific comfort requirements, but I’m happy with it overall. Plus, it’s black and green."

The green theme, inspired by Weatherbed’s love for the color and its calming effect, extends to every corner of the room. The Twinkly Strings hung above, with their vibrant color-addressable lighting, help her tailor the atmosphere to her needs. She also relies on green lighting for her keyboard, a Razer Huntsman V2, and her Razer Basilisk V3 mouse, both of which she considers "fine," though she plans to upgrade her keyboard to a DIY kit in the future.

Tech is the lifeblood of Weatherbed’s workspace. Her MSI Optix G271 and Acer Predator XB271HK 4K monitors provide ample screen space, while a powerful PC with an Intel i9-11900K, MSI RTX 3080 GPU, and 64GB of DDR4 RAM handles demanding tasks with ease. "I’ll upgrade to DDR5 at some point," she acknowledges, "but for now, this is more than enough to handle both my gaming and creative hobbies."

Her workspace also caters to her love of tabletop gaming and online communication. A Logitech Brio webcam ensures clear video for virtual meetings and game sessions, while Logitech Litra Glow and Elgato Key Light provide sufficient illumination in the dimly lit space. A Rode NT1-A XLR microphone captures crisp audio, while an Elgato Stream Deck sits within reach, ready to launch custom profiles for her creative applications and online games.

Weatherbed’s workspace isn’t just a haven for technology; it reflects her unique sense of style. A moon-shaped three-tier wall shelf, discovered at TK Maxx, houses a collection of 3D-printed animal skulls, a beaded fox figurine, and a crocheted Gengar plushie, a personal tribute to her favorite Pokémon. "There are a lot of moons and stars throughout the space, too," Weatherbed says, "so to quote the Big Lebowski himself, I think it really ties the room together."

The space also features several carefully chosen pieces of art. A framed drawing by artist Sarah Gordon, depicting a talking skull, adds a dash of macabre charm to the space. The drawing’s motto, "When in doubt, give it a shot." resonates deeply with Weatherbed: "I really vibe with macabre art… so I love supporting other artists where I can."

The gothic atmosphere is further enhanced by a crow lamp, affectionately known as "Dick," named in honor of both DC Comics’ Nightwing and a real crow that Weatherbed rescued. "I think my fingers are still recovering from the pecking he gave me," she laughs.

The room is a testament to Weatherbed’s passion for both tech and creative pursuits. It’s a space that reflects her unique style and personality. It’s not just a home office; it’s a gothic sanctuary where she can work, create, and game with equal ease. "I’m super happy with it," she says, "and my partner has yet to veto any of my decorative choices, so it’s a win-win."

Weatherbed’s workspace is a compelling example of how technology and personal style can blend harmoniously to create a space that is both functional and inspiring. It’s a reminder that even in the world of tech, there’s room for a little gothic magic.

Article Reference