The Core Philosophy

Treat the Graphical User Interface (GUI) as an API for voice commands.

The standard creative workflow is designed for “high-friction” nervous systems. It relies on what I call “Chorded Inputs”—holding Command + Shift + Option while simultaneously dragging a mouse with fine motor precision. For a nervous system managing MS, this is an energy tax that depletes the “creative battery” before the work is even finished.

The Goal: Reduce physical inputs by 90% without sacrificing output velocity.

The Stack (Native-First Architecture)

I stripped out complex third-party scripting (Talon/Python) in favor of a native, privacy-first approach that requires zero coding.

Software

  • Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop (primary), Premiere Pro (secondary).
  • Voice Engine: MacOS Voice Control.
    • Why: It runs locally on-device (no latency/cloud processing), integrates deeply with the OS, and allows for custom “overlay” grids.

Hardware

  • Tobii 5 Eye Tracker: Handles cursor placement.
    • Role: “The Pointer.” It moves the mouse to where I am looking.
  • Microphone: Shure MV7 (USB).
    • Role: “The Clicker.” It executes the action.

The Workflow System

1. “Look and Speak” Targeting

This replaces the mouse drag. The workflow separates “targeting” from “actioning” to reduce hand strain.

  • The Old Way: Move hand to mouse -> Locate cursor -> Drag to icon -> Click -> Drag slider -> Release.
  • The Voice-First Way:
    1. Look at the layer mask (Eye tracker moves cursor).
    2. Say “Drag.”
    3. Look at the destination.
    4. Say “Drop.”

2. Semantic Mapping (Intents > Keys)

I don’t map keys; I map intents. I don’t want to remember that “Save for Web” is a four-key chord. I want to say what I am doing.

The Technical Config: Creating a Voice Map

You don’t need Python scripts to do this. You can build a robust “Voice Keyboard” in the MacOS System Settings.

Recipe: The “Export Web” Command

  1. Open: System Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control > Commands.
  2. Create New Command (+):
    • When I say: “Export Web”
    • While using: Adobe Photoshop
    • Perform: Press Keyboard Shortcut (Cmd + Opt + Shift + S)
  3. The Result: I bypass the “Spider Hand” stretch entirely. A complex physical action becomes a semantic phrase.

The “Finishing Booth” Strategy

This system is not just about tools; it’s about energy management. I divide my creative day based on my biological clock and fatigue levels.

Phase 1: The Morning (High Energy)

Tool: Generative AI (Midjourney / Firefly). Action: Composition & Ideation.

  • My cognitive energy is highest here. I use this time to generate the raw materials. The “blank page” problem is solved while I have the most focus.

Phase 2: The Afternoon (Low Energy / Motor Fatigue)

Tool: The Voice-First Rig. Action: Refinement, Color, Typography.

  • As physical fatigue sets in, I switch to the Voice-First rig. This is the “Finishing Booth.” I am no longer fighting the interface to make fine adjustments. I am simply looking at the screen and commanding the software to polish the assets generated in the morning.