Design and creative spaces

I've worked in a lot of design spaces since I graduated Uni and not every space you'd consider the great mecca of creative stimulation! But every place I have worked in I have made it a creative space of my own and I have always enjoyed the steps I take every time.

I visited a very corporate and a bit 'dry' office the other day -- an office for a huge financial institution in HK. Reception was the usual blah with their straight back chairs and boring beige decor. Meeting rooms were the usual rectangular boxes with one wall of glass housing and boring rectangular table with equally boring conference chairs. I guess for a financial institution, I should expect that, but a bit strange when the area is occupied with the Design and User Experience department.

Today I visited the internal design department of a large consumer and electronics goods company in Northern HK. The space was definitely much more creative, with a 'break-out' area that included a couch, a pretty good library of creative magazines, books, and other inspirational material, and a good wall space with old and current items of design created by past designers. The kitchen which, of course, EVERYONE shares, especially in the morning, doesn't necessarily have to be dripping with creativity, but this kitchen was not only inviting (sink was not filled with dirty dishes, communal mugs and glassware placed neatly in the cupboards, coffee and tea readily available, and a tidy fridge) but it was CLEAN!

Walking around the desk areas, designers were still in "cubicles" but they were group cubicles, where you see anywhere from 2 to 4 designers in a group, sharing a square cubicle space with a meeting table in the middle. What a great idea! You can turn around to your desk and do your own work and when it comes time to share and discuss, etc, just turn around to face the communal meeting table. Great setup!

Everyone's individual desk space is spacious with ample cupboards and drawers, area to pin up design ideas and a computer workstation (large studio monitors and peripherals) that make designing that much easier.

It was only a quick 8 minute tour, but at first glance, a great working space that one could personalize to be an incredible creative space!