Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!

UX Designer Tools & Desk Essentials I Actually Use

Purple Star emoji 16 items
These are the exact tools and desk essentials I use daily as a product designer.
Sections
2
 
 

UX Tools

 
Stephanie M profile picture
This is my primary design tool for wireframes, prototypes, and handoff. I use it every single day at work.
Figma
 
Stephanie M profile picture
I use this for early thinking, flows, and collaboration with stakeholders. It’s where messy ideas turn into something structured before I move into design
FigJam: The Online Collaborative Whiteboard for Teams
 
Stephanie M profile picture
This is where I organize projects, notes, career planning, and side work. It keeps everything in one place so I’m not juggling five different tools.
Notion
 
Stephanie M profile picture
I use this to speed up thinking, not replace it. It helps with brainstorming, edge cases, UX copy drafts, and clarifying ideas when I’m stuck.
ChatGPT
 
Stephanie M profile picture
I use this for async communication and walkthroughs. It saves time by explaining designs once instead of repeating the same thing in meetings.
Loom
 
Stephanie M profile picture
I use these for portfolio and landing page work when I want something polished without heavy dev. Great for designers who want control without code overwhelm.
Framer

Desk Essentials

 
Stephanie M profile picture
I use this for video calls and recordings when I want better quality than my laptop camera. Makes a noticeable difference on client and team calls.
Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920, Widescreen Video
 
Stephanie M profile picture
It goes with all my other apple products.
Magic Keyboard (USB-C) - US English
 
Stephanie M profile picture
Using a proper mouse instead of just a laptop trackpad helped reduce wrist fatigue. Small change, big difference over time.
Pebble Mouse 2 M350s - Bluetooth, Slim, Portable
 
Stephanie M profile picture
This protects my desk, keeps things from sliding around, and makes my setup feel more intentional. It’s one of those small upgrades that adds up.
Desk Mat
 
Stephanie M profile picture
For the apple girlies
Magic Mouse (USB‑C) - White Multi-Touch Surface
 
Stephanie M profile picture
Good lighting makes a huge difference, especially in the afternoon. This helps reduce eye strain and makes my workspace feel less draining.
Desk Lamps - Small Office Lamps
 
Stephanie M profile picture
I use these for deep focus and meetings. They block out distractions without being uncomfortable for long sessions.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Premium Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones | Silver
 
Stephanie M profile picture
I prefer a separate keyboard for comfort and posture. It makes long design sessions more comfortable and feels better than typing directly on a laptop.
Logitech Pebble Keys 2 K380s Bluetooth Keyboard
 
Stephanie M profile picture
I use this to keep my phone visible for notifications without constantly picking it up. Helpful for filming quick clips and staying hands-free.
Phone Stand
 
Stephanie M profile picture
I wear these during long screen days, especially at night. They help reduce eye fatigue when I’ve been staring at designs for hours.
Blue Light glasses