Some of the modern day office designs in major corporations like Google, Lego and Pixar Inc have some astonishing and exciting office designs that have ever been produced before. 

However, there is an argument to suggest that these designs somewhat stunt productivity and creativity. The reasoning behind this is that if everything around you from the walls and decor to games machines and intriguing graphics draw your attention away from the task at hand then not only will productivity be low but the quality of the ideas generated will therefore either also be poor or inspired by that of the space around you.

This point can be emphasised by the work of creative geniuses from years gone by, the likes of Roald Dahl, Pablo Picasso and John Lennon. These three iconic names from separate fields of creativity had work spaces in which were ordinary to say the least. There was no exceptional surroundings and inspirational decor to get their creative juices flowing. Instead they had imagination. (Check out there work spaces here, plus many more famous creative people and their offices)

Imagination is somewhat lacking in the modern day due to the capabilities of TV, Cinema and Computer Graphics. What people in history could only dream of and imagine is now seen daily throughout life and therefore no longer becomes an inspiration. 

When I was a child, back in the 1980's, when the computer games had limited to no graphics and cinema was starting to evolve in to how it is today, I used to pick up a pencil and rubber and draw what came to me. Sometimes it may have been what I could see, which was usually the decor in my bedroom and other times it may have been monsters from my imagination but this is something I enjoyed and have taken through to later life. I believe this should be something that all children are made to do as opposed to computer games.

However, with everything around you being vibrant and inspiring and visually exceptional your mind as a creative struggles to compete and therefore generating the initial idea can be quite difficult. I personally think that brainstorming on a blank canvas is the only way in which you can truly create what is right for you. 

This theory is also adaptable to office design, by sitting in a furnished room with lots of clutter makes it hard to understand the potential of the space. However, there are exceptional people in the world whom can look past all of these obstacles and see the potential and creativity in a project or task and no matter what is around them as inspiration, their work will still be awe-inspiring.

Some of these individuals work at Lomas Office Furniture and Stationery Supplies, they can look at a space and take the dimensions and come up with a plan in which will truly be perfect for your business.

Making the most of an office space is sometimes difficult due to the limitations that the space gives you. General office blocks are usually somewhat restricted by the leaseholder or building owner, however, what is stopping you from looking away from the conventional office space?

Selgas Cano Architecture, a Spanish architects office came up with the idea of creating an environment for their employees that would breed inspiration and therefore improve productivity of their employees.

The offices that they chose required some forward planning and some faith in their own ability, however, the result was astonishing. 

The purchased a plot of land which was within the woodland on the outskirts of a town and gained the necessary planning permission to construct a discrete and futuristic office block which allowed their employees to feel as though they were part of the woodland. The images above show the offices from several angles and the interior as well as the exterior.

Designing an office space like this takes an imagination and vision like no other which most companies would not go to this extent to create an office design and environment which will spawn inspiration and creativity and of course some businesses would also not suit this type of layout.

Even if it is just for inspiration purposes, or admiration of this forward thinking business, take the time to flick through the gallery and appreciate what it would be like to work within this environment.

Owners have long followed the business adage, “every little bit counts.” In support of this viewpoint, office design has grown tremendously as an element in business marketing. Traditionally given little more consideration than matching company color schemes, today more and more study and research has gone into discovering what transforms them into successful, brand expanding spaces.

How an office is arranged can yield huge impacts over the work performed within them. Avoiding prior planning will most likely breed an environment of disorganization and inefficiency. Careful consideration should be placed on how daily operations, traffic flow of employees and visitors, interior décor, and overall company objectives will integrate with the given physical space. A floor plan which is clean, organized, and full of inspiration has well documented links to higher productivity and optimism among staff.

It’s important to remember that office spaces are built to be used. Thoughtfulness for user needs is essential for successful office designing. Every decision, from location to types of furniture to layout, should be made for the benefit of those who will utilize the space. As different users will undoubtedly have different requirements, this beginning phase of the planning process can be difficult to tackle, but sidestepping this step will more than likely guarantee failure. Supporting the individuality of employees through office design can go a long way toward displaying a company’s values to clients and staff. Customizing office furniture for height, weight, special needs, and duties has the added benefits of enhanced job quality and satisfaction.
When designing office interiors, aesthetic and functional adaptability are important factors to remember. Neutral wall colors will combine well with a variety of artwork and other visual elements. Often overlooked, flooring can truly compliment the visual language of an office space. With a variety of attractive and economical choices available, classically bland floors are now things of the past.

In terms of practical application, mobile shelving and filing cabinets can go a long way toward furthering flexibility. Additionally these units can serve to conceal clutter which helps to promote a professional atmosphere. Office furniture which lends itself toward easy disassembly will make rearranging for future business growth a much smoother process.

Breakout areas can be an effective alternative to traditional conference rooms, which require a good deal of real estate and are costly to design. These meeting areas eliminate the need for windows and partitions. In fact, avoiding the addition or modification of large systems like ventilation, lighting, and plumbing is particularly important for keeping expenses manageable. Breakouts make these alterations avoidable. Also, because they integrate with the rest of the office, additional décor is unnecessary. This integration helps to foster an environment of kinship and openness.

By the employment of simple strategies to office design, appealing spaces are crafted which generate productive and satisfying work environments. Keeping users at the forefront of planning efforts will ensure that the needs of employees and visitors alike will be successfully provided.