Video Editing Furniture

When furnishing something as complicated as a video editing suite functionality, ergonomics and room for growth are essential elements that must be considered.

Standard computer desks and workstations, available at most department stores, are based on typical computer components: monitor, keyboard, printer, mouse and perhaps a scanner. You will not likely need a printer or scanner with your editing setup, but it is likely you'll need room for two or three monitors, a set of speakers and a microphone. You will need room to hold scripts, videotapes and CDs. You may also have one or more VCRs and an audio mixer. Whatever your setup, you want to be able to reach all the controls comfortably.

Video editing equipment is often 19" rack-mountable and your furnishings should accommodate this. Rack mounted equipment is accessible, secure and uses space efficiently. You may decide to purchase a stand-alone rack enclosure to accommodate your equipment or rack bays build into your workstation desk may be sufficient.

An important requirement of our digital video editing suites is room for teamwork. Most video projects at Malaspina are worked on by a team of 2 or more students. The following is our current plan for the 3 video editing suites in the new library.

As you can see we're maximizing space by placing the desks in the corner of the rooms, this allows for a wide desk (250 cm wide) and for 3 people to sit comfortably. The rack-mounted equipment will be housed in a separate rack enclosure on casters that will be locked and attached to the wall. If service is needed the racks can be detached from the wall and swung out. The cables coming from the rack to the monitors and peripherals at the desk (and power and network connecting to the wall) will have to be long enough so that the rack can be swung away from the wall with out damage or disconnection.

Here are some companies that specialize in A/V furniture:
http://www.martinandziegler.com/
http://www.omnirax.com/site/
http://www.anthro.com/
http://www.winsted.com/multi.htm
http://www.biomorphdesk.com/