Setting Up Your Studio Desk
After registration, the primary concern of most students is establishing a place in the studio. Depending on which studio you are in, desk assignments may be determined by the studio instructors. In option studios, you can generally choose your own desk within an assigned area.
The basic layout for desk spaces is a shared cubicle with two stools back-to-back. Hence, the colloquial use of the term "buttmates" to describe the relationship shared by two students sitting back-to-back. Space can sometimes be tight, but you will find that "buttmate" is used as a term of endearment.
This is the basic design:
For incoming students without equipment, most of the supplies necessary to set up a workspace are available at Utrecht (still commonly referred to by its previous name, Charrette) in Harvard Square, Pearl Art and Craft in Central Square, Home Depot in Somerville, or other art/paint supply stores. At the student groups session during orientation, the student organization, HUPO, sells used mayline boards. Used drawing boards and supplies are often advertised on the many bulletin boards in the building. New students will also have to assemble their drafting surfaces. You buy the door or other hard surface, affix the drafting surface to it, and then install the mayline (the parallel rule). Two popular solutions are three-by-five foot, pre-cut, hollow doors or finish-grade plywood. When covered with a vinyl drawing board cover, either choice will provide a smooth, transportable drawing surface. Desks requiring major repairs should be reported to Building Services. You can buy maylines or rolls of vinyl drafting surface at Pearl or Utrecht. Maylines cost $40 and up, the surface $40, and the door $30-70.
Lights are essential - the quality of light around your desk space will vary dramatically according to your location in the trays and the time of day. You can get cheap drafting lamps at Utrecht for $14, but they don't last very long. Staples and Dickson's Hardware have a good selection, as well as Tag's Hardware in Porter Square (one stop outbound on the Red Line).
Students will need a couple of good quality extension cords for a computer, lights, and other electrical devices.
Each desk comes with a straightforward stool. Some students prefer
to purchase their own drafting chairs instead. Chairs range in price
from $120 to $500. With any chair, recommended features include a footrest,
wheels, 360 degree swivel, and adjustable seat and back height.