Think about a corporate office. Tiny cubicles, grey walls, so many workers, so little space. Now, try to picture yourself sitting down in this environment, attempting to come up with the most creative ways to sell a product. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like my absolute worst nightmare.
In contrast to that dreadful dream, I recently started my first internship here at Hidden Z. Upon walking in, I was pleased to be met with bright colours, eclectic decorations, an open concept space, and my favourite part, a big, bright, yellow couch. It’s safe to say that I later left that office feeling inspired. So inspired, I chose to write this article about the importance and optimality of a creatively designed office. But, before we dive fully into that, let me quickly tell you about how I got into advertising:
I owe it all to a fun little movie: The Internship (2013).
The movie stars Vince Vaughan and Owen Wilson, who play two guys who get fired from their jobs as salesmen. Feeling uninspired by their lives, they decide to spontaneously apply for a summer internship program at Google, an environment way outside their wheelhouse. Whilst working there, we get a glimpse into the lavish life that is employment at Google.
The walls are bright, the spaces are open, the slides are indoors, every room has funky seating, and people look… happy to be working there?! My biggest takeaway was: “I can have a job that I actually enjoy?” Naturally, that inspired me to set my first major life goal: “Do whatever it takes to get a job at Google.”
Spoiler alert: I didn’t end up getting a job at Google. I mean, I don’t know the first thing about software engineering or data analytics. But I was inspired. That journey was exactly what led me somewhere even better, the ad biz.
Putting Fun in Functional
People like to say that creatives are wired differently. I simply believe we are all just kids who were forced, by the laws of aging, to grow up. Quite frankly, I don’t feel as though I think like a grown-up should. But that’s what makes me good at advertising. Because I think like a kid. And by that, I mean I think with no boundaries.
For any kid, their minds require constant nurturing and entertainment in order to flourish. The same applies to creatives. If you want to fuel their creative spark, they need some food for thought. That’s where the importance of a dynamic environment comes in. If you want a kid to be creative, give them a playroom.
The biggest issue people run into here is the common misconception that fun is a distraction. In actuality, the opposite proves to be true: boring is a distraction. Dynamic people require dynamic spaces to produce dynamic thinking. It’s as simple as that. Take away any aspect of that equation, and the whole thing falls flat. So that is the key to building a successful creative office space: think fun!
How to Build a Fun Playroom
First off, this is your chance to express yourself. Your space should feel passionate, homey, and inspiring.
- It doesn’t necessarily need to look like a rainbow exploded in there, but some bright accent colours can take you far.
- Comfortable seating is a must! If you want your employees to want to be your employees, make it enjoyable for them. I may be biased, but having a big comfy couch is definitely a bonus.
- Having various seating options and working spots is a major bonus! Give your team the opportunity to move around throughout the day. Then maybe they won’t be coming to you with writer’s block every afternoon.
- An open space is the key to having a strong team. It avoids toxic hierarchies, encourages teamwork, is optimal for bonding and socializing, and simply keeps everyone on track so you don’t repeatedly get asked the same questions.
- Don’t be afraid of kooky decor! This is your chance to embrace maximalism. I mean, don’t make it look like a hoarder’s bedroom in there, but add things like ad magazines, books, fidget toys, games, cards, etc. Even if you never use any of them and they just sit there collecting dust. You never know what might spark inspiration or conversation.
- Lastly, your office is an extension of your brand, so your office should speak to your brand’s persona. This may be the hardest step, but it is ultimately the most important one. What is your brand’s style? How would it dress if it were a person? Nail this down and then start decorating accordingly.
A Crowded Industry
As the industry grows to be more stagnant and materialistic, it is most important that we engulf ourselves in our abilities to think creatively and speak true to our brands, and that starts with our environment. If your workplace is the root of all your team’s creative work, you have to give it some healthy soil.
