Seating Showcase: Ergonomic Drafting Chairs from Global Total Office

Known for their innovative designs and commitment to ergonomics, Global Total Office is one of the absolute best seating providers in the business. Their top quality drafting chairs are a favorite of industry professionals and consumers alike. In today's post we'll showcase 5 of Global's to selling models. Enjoy!

First up the 9663-52 Minotaur task stool with easy to clean polypropylene seating surfaces! This heavy duty drafting chair offers a polished base and foot ring, along with an armless design to provide users with a bit more elbow room. The 9663-52 is a great option for architects and artists alike. That being said, this versatile stool can also be used effectively in healthcare environments and classrooms. Priced at $524.99, the Minotaur is a great buy and far superior to nearly all competing models on the market. The industrial look is complimented by an integrated back handle, contoured back, and non slip surfaces. If you're looking for a high quality drafting chair, the Minotaur is the way to go!

Next up, the Aspen 2858-6 drafting chair with ribbed upholstery. This trendy drafting chair is affordably priced at $455.99 and boasts a slew of high quality ergonomic features. The 2858-6 comes standard with a multi functional mechanism and adjustable foot ring. What makes the Aspen seating line unique is the form fitting back profile, the result of years of extensive testing to determine the optimal support for the widest possible range of users and body types. The Aspen chair back can also be quickly and easily adjusted in height to provide full lumbar contact. Aspen not only fits at the beginning of your work day, but at the end when you need support the most. In addition to it's cutting edge back and frame features, the 2858-6 also comes standard with adjustable arms that are incredibly user friendly. Choose from a wide variety of designer fabric and leather upholstery options to compliment your interiors.


Third on our list of best selling drafting chairs from Global Total Office is the 6328-6 model from the all new Vion seating collection. As one of 2015's most popular chair lines, Vion combines modern appeal with cutting edge ergonomic features designed for the ultimate sitting experience. The 6328-6 Vion drafting chair comes standard with a wide range of attributes that include adjustable arms and an adjustable foot ring. These customizable chairs can be spec'd in a wide range of mesh back color options as well as seat color options and base finishes. At just $338.99, you'll be hard pressed to get more bang for your buck. Rest assured, this is one of the best and most reliable new drafting chairs for sale on the market.


Simple, affordable, and comfortable are the best three words to describe the 3278 model Granada drafting stool from Global Total Office. A long time favorite of professional architects, the Granada is built for high end performance in the workplace. With it's armless design, elbow room is never a problem. The black nylon base is scratch resistant and very durable. The Granada's foot ring adjusts quickly via a user friendly tension knob. The chair seat is heavily padded and will have you sitting pretty in no time. All Granada seating from Global can be ordered in designer fabric, vinyl, and leather upholstery options to meet your specific decor needs.

Last but certainly not least, the 5338-6 Supra drafting chair. This adjustable drafting chair with multi functional arms is ready for intensive use work environments. The Supra has a lot to offer for both artists and architects alike. With standard features like an impact resistant outer back shell that will protect the Supra incase of a fall, and an adjustable lumbar support, the Supra offers durability and an unmatched  commitment to comfort. The 5338-6 Supra drafting chair is available in 2015 for as low as $438.99 in your choice of grade four fabric upholstery options. Additional leather and vinyl grades are available at a slight price increase. As an added bonus, matching Supra series side and guest chairs are available to further compliment your professional interiors.

Are You Getting The Most Out of Your Drafting Chair?

The proper use of your drafting chair will make you a more effective designer, artist, or architect. That being said, drafting chairs are commonly left unadjusted and full potential in the workplace is never reached. In today's post we'll highlight 5 of the various ways you can improve your sitting experience and achieve higher comfort while operating from your drafting chair.

1.) Adjust Height

If you find yourself hunched over while working or reaching up regularly from your chair, there's a good chance a simple height adjustment will help you operate more effectively. Most drafting chairs adjust easily via simple lever underneath the chairs seat. Those who use ergonomic seating properly often adjust chair height numerous times per day to minimize body movements and improve posture. Try adjusting your chair height to find a comfortable position that works best for you and your body and don't be afraid to adjust multiple times for a variety of applications!

2.) Practice Good Posture

Practicing good posture is just plain smart. Sitting upright and ergonomically correct will ensure good blood flow and more comfortable days at work. Various studies have shown that those who operate from a slouched or hunched position reach high levels of fatigue much quicker and thus operate at lower levels of productivity. Meeting with your physician to discuss your sitting position will provide valuable insight as to where you can improve posture at work. You can also visit several excellent ergo friendly sites online with posture tips for improved performance while working from your drafting chair.

3.) Lumbar Support

Lumbar support has become a standard feature on most drafting stools in 2014. The industries top brands have added this feature in both adjustable and integrated styles to help users operate more comfortably. If your chair has an integrated lumbar support, you are already reaping some very helpful benefits. However, those using a drafting chair with adjustable lumbar support will have a distinct advantage... if they take advantage of the feature! Be sure to test your chairs lumbar support feature while working. Try a few different settings and determine which ones work best for your specific work style. Low back pain is a major concern when working and the proper use of your chairs adjustable lumbar support will have you ready to defeat this common issue.

4.) Adjust Arms

If your chair is outfitted with fixed arms it may be time for an upgrade! Adjustable arms are a must for those long days at the office. Interior designers, architects, and artists will all benefit greatly by using a drafting chair with height and width adjustable arms. Brands like Mayline, Global Total Office, and Eurotech offer a variety of affordable models to consider. If your chair already has adjustable arms it's time to put those bad boys to use! Throughout the day, try adjusting to various heights and widths while working. You'll find more support and comfort in no time at all! It's sad to say that most opt to add all the bells and whistles possible on their chair but commonly fail to use the features properly. Don't be afraid to test your chairs limits and reach your full potential.

5.) Adjust Back Angle

Most well made drafting chairs offer a tilt feature that will allow you to adjust the chairs back angle with the pull of a lever. Do you ever find yourself working from an angle that your back has no contact with the chair back? If so you're not alone! Many of us are so used to accepting this common practice that regularly leads to back problems. Adjust your chairs back angle while working throughout the day. When computing, drafting, and drawing we typically lean forward to engage in our works. Tilting the back of your chair to meet the curve of your body will provide better support while simultaneously improving your workplace functionality.

Top 5 Studio Items for Every Artist and Drafting Expert

Whether you work with the paints or the protractors, every artist, architect, engineer, and draftsperson needs a place just for them where they can get things done, and for many, that place is a studio. Exactly where that studio can be or how far you travel to get to it often varies widely among artists depending on what each one chooses to do, but even if you go great lengths to plant a building or find the perfect place to paint, it doesn't mean studio equipment should be equally as hard to find. On the contrary, if you're thinking of adding or updating a studio of some kind in your home or office, we have exactly what you need to get started right here!

Drafting Tables

Every artist needs a good surface to work on. Sometimes its a sidewalk or the side of a building, or even on old fashioned office desk configurations or tables, but that approach doesn't work for everyone. Many artists, especially architects and engineers need a smooth, stable, often adjustable surface for them to get the job done right. For them, nothing is better than professional drafting tables and craft stations for their studio. These high tech tables are fabulous for all artists as they can be angled up or down so as to not distort the image they are working on. Additionally, this great feature also alleviates back pain, lifting artists back into their comfortable task chairs instead of forcing them to lean over a desk. Some tables even come with sliding drawers to hold drafting accessories and side shelves that can support books or computer screens. If you're an architect that works with multiple schematics and needs to view how everything will fit together, quality light tables like the Mayline Ranger Steel Drafting Table and tables with glass surfaces that can be lighted underneath allow you to see through many overlapping images at once.

Mobile Carts

Anyone who knows an artist or has ever even taken a class in art knows how insanely expensive art supplies can be, and that supplies can get everywhere. Fortunately though, there are devices that can hold all these supplies, where ever you want them to, and they don't cost nearly as much all those paints and boxes of expensive artist markers. Sometimes contemporary office tables can't support everything. For everything else, welcome to the world of mobile carts: the artist's greatest assistant! If you're in need of a place where you can keep all your artsy stuff at arm's reach, that can also be rolled into a closet when not in use, mobile carts are the things for you. These babies come with built-in pockets, shelves, and even cup holders for your much needed coffee - I mean, paint water cups - and various sizes mean they can potentially hold just about everything you need. For draftspersons, affordable utility carts like the Mayline Eastwinds High Wire Cart can be everything from file trucks to printer stands, while roll file carts (great for both artists and draftspeople) can hold rolled-up sketches, schematics, and blueprints neatly in one place. Any of these great devices will be happy to go the distance, not just for you, but for the sake of keeping your studio clean and organized!

Shelving

Whether you use if for holding paint boxes, art books, sculptures, drafting equipment, hard hats, or even old artwork, there's no question about it: artists need a lot of storage space. The problem with needing a lot of storage space though is that sometimes, we don't always have enough space for storage space. If your studio is tight on square footage and you find yourself stacking things in corners, choosing shelving is a choice you'll never regret. Setting up shelving solutions along walls and in closets is a fabulous way to maximize the storage capacity of a room without actually having to knock out a wall to expand it. Additionally, if you'd rather not get up out of breathable mesh back chairs  to go grab things from your shelves, there are plenty of mobile shelving configurations that can be rolled around a room, sort of like a big utility cart! Good shelving can come in the form of sturdy welded wire constructions or in the form of stylish wall cabinets or even executive style bookcases, but either one will get the job done with ease!

Cabinets and Additional Storage

Believe it or not, most art teachers don't recommend tossing finished art pieces even if the artist doesn't like them. Keeping old work is important for many reasons, from curing a lack of inspiration to backing up copies of blueprints if you're an architect or engineer. Still, finding a place to keep all this artwork where it wont get frayed or destroyed can be a difficult task, but you don't have to toss your masterpieces for the sake of keeping a clean studio anymore. Say hello to the plan file and flat file cabinets, one of the best furniture options a creative person can make! Plan file and flat files are wonderful ways to keep artwork flattened out and safe from the world outside, while roll files keep pieces safely rolled up until their next use. Either of these can be stored against walls or in large closets and usually come with multiple drawers and often additional shelves for storage. For the rest of your studio supplies, stylish storage cabinets and lateral file cabinets are much easier on the eyes. Available both wood and metal storage cabinets can neatly store everything from boxes, to paints, utensils, accessories, and anything else you might need space for.

Stools and Chairs


One thing no artist or draftsperson should ever overlook is the importance of a good chair. Just like office workers, artists and draftspeople typically spend a great deal of time leaning over desks and tables to get bring their masterpieces to life. Unfortunately, this can bring on a lot of health problems as leaning over desks can cause a great deal of back pain. That's why we've saved the best for last! We know craftspeople often get up out of their chairs to move around their work as they complete it, which is what makes drafting stools such a great option for them. Adjustable stools without backs and especially those with backs are great for artists because they are maneuverable, supportive, and durable, and popular modern stools are available in tons of materials, from vinyl, urethane, and leather stools to fabric stools and even mesh! However, artists that are more stationary tend to need a little more support while they work, which is why we recommend other options. Chairs, particularly ergonomic office chairs, are well known throughout the office furniture world for their incredible comfort and versatility, making them wonderful options for artists with back pain.