An inspiring environment can greatly aid the creative process. It follows then, that those whose maintain ’round-the-clock creative jobs will benefit from inspirational surroundings.
We asked the Mashable readership to submit images of their offices. From thought-bubble cocoons, to brainstorming walls, to a vegetable patch, we’ve rounded up photos of some amazing spaces that encourage employees to become visionaries.
Browse the photo gallery to peek into the weird, wonderful and wacky work spaces companies use to brainstorm. Let us know in the comments which space you would find most inspiring.
1. XSolve & Chilid
Polish companies XSolve and Chilid's joint office boasts hammocks. "We use them when we want to break away from the computer screen," says project manager Tomasz Nowacki. "It's one of main places in our office, and often helps to develop creative ideas."
2. XSolve & Chilid
The work space also houses a large pink deer. Nowacki says, "Pink deer greets our customers and guests who visit the office. It's impossible to be sad and feel depressed thanks to his presence. He gives us a lot of positive energy."
3. Media Safari
"Media Safari’s office design is a key element to our business success," says digital director Matt King, "with the potential to have a dramatic effect on mood, motivation and productivity. This impacts how people feel at work and the quality of our ideas."
"Our red chairs, open spaces, river perspective, bright colours, the jelly bean machine and fresh flowers all contribute significantly to our creative thinking and help to reflect Media Safari’s core brand value to 'explore communication' with passion."
4. Strategic America
"The Strategic America offices are filled with idea spaces, rooms that allow for brainstorming and working with clients without scaring them," explains Brooke A. Benschoter, senior stategic consultant. "Each room is appropriately named 'Ideas Room,' 'Strategic Room' ... you get the idea."
"The Strategic America offices in Des Moines Iowa include among their idea spaces the 'Fireside Room' featuring 'Our Couch' which is also the name of the company's creative blog. Plus, the fireplace comes in handy with those Iowa winters."
5. noise
This pic shows the Noise New York team brainstorming with the Noise San Francisco team.
"Our killer HD video conferencing system allows the product and creative team to work fluidly and seamlessly. They're practically in the room with us!" says Katie Gordon, human resources manager.
6. noise
However, as with all the best parties, it's in the noise kitchen where all of the major decisions go down.
7. Grape Digital
Grape Digital's unique work space embraces the social concept to the max. "We felt as one of the leading social media and digital agencies in the world, we needed to be as truly social as possible," says Grape Digital's MD Mark Malone. "In the UK there is nothing more sociable than a good old pub. What we used to share in the pub we now share on Facebook and Twitter — we can do both."
8. Grape Digital
"You can relax, have a drink and have no worries other than being as creative as possible for our clients," says Malone. "Feel free to pop into our pub for a pint next time you are in London."
9. Square One
From Square One: "Our office is the old FBI headquarters, in the heart of Dallas’ Historic West End District. Our office ecosystem was designed to foster creativity and collaboration: our walls are covered with creative inspiration, our halls are filled with music, there are Xboxes in our conference rooms, and our bar is stocked with beer. The superheros around our office may look like decoration but they actually represent the pillars that we stand by."
10. Teehan + Lax
Teehan + Lax's common lounge "is a place for daily planning scrums, discussing company business and sharing client work. It’s also an area for taking breaks, playing video games, watching movies and shooting hoops."
11. Teehan + Lax
Meanwhile, the company's "Labs" group has an office dedicated to "digital innovation and experimentation." As at Google, everyone at T + L takes time off client work to get involved in Labs experiments.
12. Digitas Boston
Employees hold a creative brainstorm in one of the lounges at Digitas' Boston office. The company says that "colorful art, comfortable furniture and a well-organized setup make it an ideal place to discuss new ideas."
13. Redweb
This is Redweb's "innovation area." Head of innovation David Burton describes it as "a new area that we use as a greenhouse for ideas and experimenting with new technologies."
"It is a very different area to the rest of our offices, and that's on purpose, as we want people to think and behave differently when they're here," Burton explains. "This area is a greenhouse where we cultivate ideas and withhold judgement."
"We have sofas, glass stools, inflatable chairs, unicycles, toys and plenty of things to scribble on — all tools to get people out of their comfort zone and thinking afresh."
14. Redweb
"Our giant black perspex wall is a great tool for creative sessions and collaborative brainstorms," says Burton. "It's awesome to think big, to write and draw big and park ideas so you can keep moving forward. It's also highly reflective so you can check your hair out at the same time!"
15. Engauge
Smaller "huddle" areas at Engauge facilitate quick brainstorming sessions and creative reviews, showing that bigger isn't always better.
16. Invoke Canada
Invoke's office in Vancouver, Canada hosts a multi-functional space for collaboration, bike parking and — as you can just make out in the background — "swashbuckling cheetahs."
17. Grip Limited
"Grip's seventh floor chill-out space has tall ceilings, a low table and a high-concept mix of contrasting furniture — perfect for long meetings and lateral thinking," says company copywriter Ian Mackenzie.
18. Peppermint PR
Peppermint PR waited four and a half years for their company allotment garden. In March 2011 they were allocated a 126.5-square meter plot of land. Once or twice a week, the team drops its office tools and dons wellies for an outdoor brainstorming session in the fresh air. In addition to ideas for clients, the team has cultivated potatoes, beans, lettuces, raspberries, zucchini and herbs.
19. VML
VML's conference rooms are aviation-themed to correspond with its Kansas City airport location.
20. Inspired Digital
Manager Arturs Mednis explains that the Inspired Digital office is "a place where employees work, have a good time and get inspired. Of course, they are digital as hell; however, it's not that bad — they also like analog things, nice surroundings and enjoy each other's company."
21. Inspired Digital
"The interior is comfortable, colorful and very homely," says Mednis. "One office wall is decorated with a naturally-colored wooden mosaic — a true source of inspiration. Another wall is equipped with IdeaPaint board. Got an idea? Write it down instantly! A 'window wall' provides a unique view to one of the trendiest streets in the city. That's another way to get inspired — by watching people, the sky or buildings."
22. Inspired Digital
"Brainstorms and meetings will never be boring because they are held in a wooden sauna-room, or 'bedroom,' full of pillows. If someone has to get away they can hide in the newspaper-decorated 'egg.' When Inspired, people are full of energy, they can relax by playing novus or geting crazy at the foosball," says Mednis.
BONUS SLIDE: [wire] stone's Doggie!
We were surprised at how many dogs showed up in the photo submissions we received. While they were all gorgeous, this little chap really stood out. Do you think that's his office chair, or is he just keeping it warm for his master?
Image courtesy of Inspired Digital
More About: business, design, MARKETING, officeFor more Business & Marketing coverage:Follow Mashable Business & Marketing on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Business & Marketing channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:29:37 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/bygyWfVjeFo/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/29/digital-agency-offices/#comments
We asked the Mashable readership to submit images of their offices. From thought-bubble cocoons, to brainstorming walls, to a vegetable patch, we’ve rounded up photos of some amazing spaces that encourage employees to become visionaries.
Browse the photo gallery to peek into the weird, wonderful and wacky work spaces companies use to brainstorm. Let us know in the comments which space you would find most inspiring.
1. XSolve & Chilid
Polish companies XSolve and Chilid's joint office boasts hammocks. "We use them when we want to break away from the computer screen," says project manager Tomasz Nowacki. "It's one of main places in our office, and often helps to develop creative ideas."
2. XSolve & Chilid
The work space also houses a large pink deer. Nowacki says, "Pink deer greets our customers and guests who visit the office. It's impossible to be sad and feel depressed thanks to his presence. He gives us a lot of positive energy."
3. Media Safari
"Media Safari’s office design is a key element to our business success," says digital director Matt King, "with the potential to have a dramatic effect on mood, motivation and productivity. This impacts how people feel at work and the quality of our ideas."
"Our red chairs, open spaces, river perspective, bright colours, the jelly bean machine and fresh flowers all contribute significantly to our creative thinking and help to reflect Media Safari’s core brand value to 'explore communication' with passion."
4. Strategic America
"The Strategic America offices are filled with idea spaces, rooms that allow for brainstorming and working with clients without scaring them," explains Brooke A. Benschoter, senior stategic consultant. "Each room is appropriately named 'Ideas Room,' 'Strategic Room' ... you get the idea."
"The Strategic America offices in Des Moines Iowa include among their idea spaces the 'Fireside Room' featuring 'Our Couch' which is also the name of the company's creative blog. Plus, the fireplace comes in handy with those Iowa winters."
5. noise
This pic shows the Noise New York team brainstorming with the Noise San Francisco team.
"Our killer HD video conferencing system allows the product and creative team to work fluidly and seamlessly. They're practically in the room with us!" says Katie Gordon, human resources manager.
6. noise
However, as with all the best parties, it's in the noise kitchen where all of the major decisions go down.
7. Grape Digital
Grape Digital's unique work space embraces the social concept to the max. "We felt as one of the leading social media and digital agencies in the world, we needed to be as truly social as possible," says Grape Digital's MD Mark Malone. "In the UK there is nothing more sociable than a good old pub. What we used to share in the pub we now share on Facebook and Twitter — we can do both."
8. Grape Digital
"You can relax, have a drink and have no worries other than being as creative as possible for our clients," says Malone. "Feel free to pop into our pub for a pint next time you are in London."
9. Square One
From Square One: "Our office is the old FBI headquarters, in the heart of Dallas’ Historic West End District. Our office ecosystem was designed to foster creativity and collaboration: our walls are covered with creative inspiration, our halls are filled with music, there are Xboxes in our conference rooms, and our bar is stocked with beer. The superheros around our office may look like decoration but they actually represent the pillars that we stand by."
10. Teehan + Lax
Teehan + Lax's common lounge "is a place for daily planning scrums, discussing company business and sharing client work. It’s also an area for taking breaks, playing video games, watching movies and shooting hoops."
11. Teehan + Lax
Meanwhile, the company's "Labs" group has an office dedicated to "digital innovation and experimentation." As at Google, everyone at T + L takes time off client work to get involved in Labs experiments.
12. Digitas Boston
Employees hold a creative brainstorm in one of the lounges at Digitas' Boston office. The company says that "colorful art, comfortable furniture and a well-organized setup make it an ideal place to discuss new ideas."
13. Redweb
This is Redweb's "innovation area." Head of innovation David Burton describes it as "a new area that we use as a greenhouse for ideas and experimenting with new technologies."
"It is a very different area to the rest of our offices, and that's on purpose, as we want people to think and behave differently when they're here," Burton explains. "This area is a greenhouse where we cultivate ideas and withhold judgement."
"We have sofas, glass stools, inflatable chairs, unicycles, toys and plenty of things to scribble on — all tools to get people out of their comfort zone and thinking afresh."
14. Redweb
"Our giant black perspex wall is a great tool for creative sessions and collaborative brainstorms," says Burton. "It's awesome to think big, to write and draw big and park ideas so you can keep moving forward. It's also highly reflective so you can check your hair out at the same time!"
15. Engauge
Smaller "huddle" areas at Engauge facilitate quick brainstorming sessions and creative reviews, showing that bigger isn't always better.
16. Invoke Canada
Invoke's office in Vancouver, Canada hosts a multi-functional space for collaboration, bike parking and — as you can just make out in the background — "swashbuckling cheetahs."
17. Grip Limited
"Grip's seventh floor chill-out space has tall ceilings, a low table and a high-concept mix of contrasting furniture — perfect for long meetings and lateral thinking," says company copywriter Ian Mackenzie.
18. Peppermint PR
Peppermint PR waited four and a half years for their company allotment garden. In March 2011 they were allocated a 126.5-square meter plot of land. Once or twice a week, the team drops its office tools and dons wellies for an outdoor brainstorming session in the fresh air. In addition to ideas for clients, the team has cultivated potatoes, beans, lettuces, raspberries, zucchini and herbs.
19. VML
VML's conference rooms are aviation-themed to correspond with its Kansas City airport location.
20. Inspired Digital
Manager Arturs Mednis explains that the Inspired Digital office is "a place where employees work, have a good time and get inspired. Of course, they are digital as hell; however, it's not that bad — they also like analog things, nice surroundings and enjoy each other's company."
21. Inspired Digital
"The interior is comfortable, colorful and very homely," says Mednis. "One office wall is decorated with a naturally-colored wooden mosaic — a true source of inspiration. Another wall is equipped with IdeaPaint board. Got an idea? Write it down instantly! A 'window wall' provides a unique view to one of the trendiest streets in the city. That's another way to get inspired — by watching people, the sky or buildings."
22. Inspired Digital
"Brainstorms and meetings will never be boring because they are held in a wooden sauna-room, or 'bedroom,' full of pillows. If someone has to get away they can hide in the newspaper-decorated 'egg.' When Inspired, people are full of energy, they can relax by playing novus or geting crazy at the foosball," says Mednis.
BONUS SLIDE: [wire] stone's Doggie!
We were surprised at how many dogs showed up in the photo submissions we received. While they were all gorgeous, this little chap really stood out. Do you think that's his office chair, or is he just keeping it warm for his master?
Image courtesy of Inspired Digital
More About: business, design, MARKETING, officeFor more Business & Marketing coverage:Follow Mashable Business & Marketing on TwitterBecome a Fan on FacebookSubscribe to the Business & Marketing channelDownload our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Posted on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:29:37 +0000 at http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/bygyWfVjeFo/
Comments: http://mashable.com/2011/08/29/digital-agency-offices/#comments
