Design for Mankind’s Erin Loechner keeps clean and contained spiral notebooks at the ready in her own home-office setup: a laptop, desk, and white Eames Aluminum Group Executive Chair combo.

It’s no surprise that notepads filling the desk of designer and illustrator Alexie Hiles contain the thinkings of an artistic mind.

Neat stacks of notebooks — including Field Notes, a Lifework favorite — await reminders and to-do lists from Rick VanderLeek, a Saugatuck, Michigan-based art director and graphic designer.

Loose-leaf paper notes and tracing paper play a part in typographer Nick Keppol’s Brooklyn home office  — a must-see space which includes, among others, a black Embody chair at the desk and an Eames Wire Base Low Table supporting the printer.

Confirmed doodler: designer and illustrator Katie Kirk, author of the children’s book “Eli, No!,” brain power behind Eight Hour Day, and owner of a pair of Eames Molded Plastic Chairs.

A collection of colorful sketchpads and notes helps keep the workflow flowing for Erin Jang, an art director and graphic designer who runs The Indigo Bunting out of her studio in New York City.

Industrial designer Joey Roth, a Los Angeles resident who frequently works in his backyard, knows that a single notebook can help him streamline his time outside. “When I can, I leave my laptop inside and take only a pen, notebook, and cup of tea or coffee with me,” he says. “The less I take, the more I tend to accomplish.”

Photos: Linked to their sources. Top photo: Carrie Strine and Tim Lahan

What do you listen to while you work? I think my taste can be pretty eclectic. I resonate with individual songs over full albums most of the time. I like songs that can transport me based on my mood or those that can inspire something I’m working on.

How do you listen? Headphones. Nate and I call this “going under.” We put these on when we’re really ready to get down to some actual design time.

Do you have any favorite music websites/providers? I usually just download via iTunes. Pandora here and there.

Does music influence your work? I think music can always be a great influence, especially to get into a mood or mindset. It’s good to have that “feeling” help drive your design decisions — even if it’s not super direct.

One example that is a bit more direct than most were these holiday cards I designed. I love Christmas time and music, especially the older carols sung by Bing Crosby, Gene Autry, etc. I also love A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio. It just “feels” like the holidays to me.

Where do you find music recommendations? Who influences your musical taste? Often it is just songs that cross my path in one way or another. I would say as much as I love music, I am not an active seeker like some.

What song or artist best represents the work you create? Whoa. That is a tough one. I’m not sure if my work is representational of them at all — but I have always loved the Beatles and their ability to push different sounds and a range of styles.

Ideal place to sit and listen to your playlist: I usually only listen to music when I work and I prefer a lapdesk over an actual desk, so, an Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Black Leather with Walnut Veneer.