I have my own desk space in the house, but it isn’t - and never has been - a great workspace. I’ve been working on it over the past month to be more useful, starting by adding a monitor, mouse, and mousepad to use with my laptop. The additional screen real estate is exactly what I was looking for, and is allowing me to use my desk for actual work, not just storage of things.
Since this tiny transition took place, my desk has been my work home, as opposed to the couch or a chair, and therefore, I’ve been putting a few desk notepads to use. Here are my favorites:
— Nock Co. DotDash Spiral Pad: BIAS ALERT! Yes, this is a product I helped design for a company I am part owner of, so it should be exactly what I want in a notepad. It is, and is a favorite of many others as well. Graph is my favorite page layout, and the top-bound spiral perforated page handles all pens and inks well.
— Rhodia DotPad Notepad No. 16 A5: A5 is the best desk notebook size, and top-bound is the best binding. Rhodia makes some of the best fountain pen paper, so if that is your primary pen use, then this pad should be on your radar. I’ve burned through several of the DotPad version, although I’m currently using the Ice Pad. This is one case I prefer dot over grid, and will be moving back to the DotPad once done.
— Studio Neat Pano Book: Need a wrist rest for your keyboard? Need more vertical space to take notes or sketch? The Panobook is your favorite A5 pad, turned up to 11. The form and feel of this notebook is unique, and one of my favorites. I tend to use it in portrait mode for drawing, and landscape mode for reviews.
— Life Writing Bank Paper A5 Pad: I’m not always a fancy man, but when I’m feeling it, I reach for Life Bank Paper. It’s not cheap, and not everyone’s favorite, but it has a certain air about it that I appreciate.
I’m living that top-bound life for my desk notebooks, although I could be talked into a few side-bound spiral notebooks where I can fold the cover all the way around the back easily. Hard cover notebooks need not apply.