Design for collaboration in the workplace
In 2012 and early 2013 MailChimp built a new design studio for their user experience, marketing, and DesignLab teams. It turns out, that redesigning their studio directly influenced their work on updating MailChimp. The new collaborative space actually helped them create more collaborative tools for their customers.
Check out their post Collaboration by Design.
Here are some of their insights:
- Having reconfigurable tables and vertical spaces to share creative ideas is key, as is mixing people with disparate responsibilities and skills.
- Leaving open spaces for visitors and workers who need a temporary space is a great idea.
-Having soft seating and portable partitions provides breaks from the work surface and temporary “rooms” for creative meetings.
-Having convergence zones, such as a break room or game room, brings people together from across your enterprise and builds teamwork.
Maximize your creativity
While the overall design of your office is key, so is what you do with your personal space. 6 Desk Tweaks To Change The Way You Work And Maximize Your Creativity by Fast Company points out that:
“The work you do and the office culture in which you do it are extremely important. But so too is the actual surface you work on. Here’s how thinking about your desk, its immediate environs, and your relationship to your workspace can help you become more creative.”
The article points out six things you can do to maximize productivity and creativity while you are “stuck at your desk”. Here’s a quick overview:
- Your personal desk affects your mood so do what you can to make it yours and enjoy being at it. Make it flexible so it can change with your work.
- Move around the office when you can. If you work from home be sure to create boundaries. Have some small touches that make your work space uniquely yours.
- Most importantly, leave your desk to refresh your body and your mind. Take short walks and get out of the office for lunch. It’s one way to avoid the sitting disease.
How to Optimize Your Environment for Creativity with The Perfect Temperature, Lighting and Noise Levels from Buffer shows how your brain works when it is at its creative best. And recommends tactics such as using proper lighting.