This is something that is done so ubiquitously that it might seem strange to even discuss or question it. When we really think about it, however, it is clear that this common office layout technique only exists for one reason: space efficiency. While, yes, commercial office yields have been going up (depending on what part … Continue reading A Major Office Design Frustration
The benefits of working collaboratively on creative pursuits are numerous. Stimulating new ideas, gathering resources and offering new perspectives are just a few ways that collaboration helps you. But say you are in a team, or leading a team, how could you possibly gauge how much people are “working together?” A somewhat older study into … Continue reading The Power of Collective Voice
In 1968 Robert Propst invented what has become one of the most hated modern inventions: the cubicle. However, in 1968 it wasn’t the cubicle. It was Action Office II and it looked and functioned quite differently. It is worth pointing out that the cubicle as many of us picture it today, looks nothing like what … Continue reading Contradictions in Creativity: The Story of Cubicles
In his book, The Art of Creative Thinking, Rod Judkins, in advising how to strengthen creative thought, says “Doubt Everything.” I certainly don’t disagree. Doubting everything, especially things others assume to be true, is a great way of finding fresh ideas and new takes on old problems. However, with most pieces of advice regarding creativity, … Continue reading How to Doubt and Question Without Creating Fear in the Workplace
First things first: does it really matter? These are all just words, right? We as a society make up their definition and who cares if we all agree? The reason why the distinction between creativity and innovation is important is because when two ideas are compared and defined referring each other, there is an inherent … Continue reading What’s the Difference Between Creativity and Innovation?
The argument is clear: to increase creativity I need to spend money on developing practices or upgrading my work-space. How do I know this will pay off? You don’t know. In business and in life, you rarely know. That is why there is a whole field called Risk Management. Many businesses – and I have … Continue reading Will Being More Creative Add Costs?
In traditional project management, success if often measured by the trinity of cost, time and quality. The rule of thumb is that you can’t increase one without decreasing others. If you need to finish the project faster, it will cost you more, unless you also reduce its quality also. If you need to raise quality it … Continue reading How Do You Measure Success?
A series of articles in a recent Harvard Business Review discusses the balance between transparency and privacy in offices. This issue is of particular importance to offices in creative industries because the work process can be a lot more fragile and sometimes personal. Although not about architecture or architectural offices these articles seemed to hit … Continue reading Privacy and Creativity
Many businesses that offer design products and services have a close relationship with creativity. This could include businesses that engage in graphic design, industrial and furniture design, architecture, web design, interior design and many others. The proliferation of these types of businesses has caused design to be crystalised into a process that can be managed, … Continue reading How to fit Creativity in the Design Process
producing creativity 