We last did a list like this wayyyyyy back in 2014, so I thought it'd be a good idea to share what our updated tools look like. Compared to the original list, I think the only commonality was Dropbox, so I hope you get some good recommendations if you want to do your own creative work!
Organization
Notion
I use this for ev.Er.Y.Thing., from managing article production, to checking off tasks for our team, to hosting reference and documents for our business. (More on this app on my personal blog – would you be interested in an updated post about it here?)
Dropbox
I’ve almost maxed out my 2TB storage space because we keep all our back issue files, photography, lettering, writing, everything on our computers on the cloud so I can access them anywhere.
Goodnotes
I do all of my planning in a homemade planner, take notes on books I’m reading, edit the mag and make notations, sign documents, everything on Goodnotes.
Apple Mail, Calendar, and Reminders
After much experimentation over the last decade I’ve landed on using a few default Apple apps because they’ve improved so much. I use them as a backup and basic daily driver to the more complex planning I do on Notion and Goodnotes – simple daily to-do’s and communication all happen here.
Fulfillment
Shopify
Not perfect but the best, most flexible platform we’ve found over the years.
Shipstation
For all of our bulk and weekly shipments.
Flodesk
To send out our public mailing list and our subscriber club emails. I like that it’s pretty simple in its interface!
Creation
Adobe Camera Raw, Photoshop, InDesign, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro
I use so much of the Adobe suite for lots of different purposes. I edit photos in ACR on desktop, Lightroom on mobile, and Photoshop for deeper retouching and graphics editing. I edit videos in Premiere Pro and make the actual magazine in InDesign.
Capture One
This is tethering software so i can see what i’m photographing on my computer or a monitor.
Procreate
I draw 90% of the graphics and lettering for the website, magazine, emails, everything on procreate. I used to entirely do this on paper, but developed carpal tunnel so it’s a lot easier on my hands and wrists to draw digitally.
Watercolor, ink, charcoal, pencil, bamboo brushes and pens
For when I can’t get the look that i want, I go back to my favorite drawing tools.
My photography setup
Consists of a Manfrotto tripod, Godox speedlite, Sigma lenses, Nikon Z series bodies, a few black & white boards, a diffuser panel, and a lot of props and dishware.
Our local library
The best place for research. I take out dozens of books and listen to audiobooks using the Libby app to do most all of the research I need to make each issue.
Kitchen tools
My most-used appliances
An Instant Pot, Vitamix, and Kitchenaid food processor. These three do most of the heavy lifting in our kitchen. (Along with our convection oven, knives, and dishwasher.)
Cast iron pots & pans
Both vintage and new, to go through a lot of recipe testing.
Cleaning tools
Bench scraper, kitchen towels, brushes & Dr. Bronner’s soap – for easy cleanup throughout a testing day.
(More kitchen tools I use daily in our Ease issue here.)
