"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." - Beverly Sills

For those of you who are in tune with your creative side, I am sure that you can name the activities (or lack thereof) that facilitate your creative thinking process.  For others, it isn't the activity that brings on the bout of creative production, but the location.  In this week's blog entry, we are going to take a look at some of the design features that are supportive of creative spaces.

With the increased attention (and opportunities for consultation) that I have noticed in the past few months for designing creative spaces within office settings, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about what role these creative spaces play and some common design considerations when contemplating your own "think place."

Creative spaces, also known as Idea Rooms, War Rooms, Think Spots, Collaboration Rooms and a host of other similar names, are designed to provide a centralized, communal location for the explicit purpose of promoting deep thought, generating ideas, relaxation, collaboration, prototyping, play and showcasing ideas.  These spaces serve as an idea-rich oasis in the desert of mundane tasks.  They can serve a functional need through co-location of key players and immersion into a focused project environment.  They can also be creative toy stores, or a place that employees can go to unleash their imaginations. 

When thinking about creative spaces, the following design considerations should be evaluated:

• Location:
• Should be in a central, easily accessible location, preferably with a window view, but not near the hub of "busy work" activity
  
• Lighting:
• Natural is best, followed by incandescent, then fluorescent
• Color:
• Warm colors (ie. yellow, orange and brown)
• Overall structure/construction elements:
• High ceiling, open middle, with "think pods" incorporated into design
  
• Furniture:
• Large work surfaces
• Comfortable furniture (ie. couches, recliners, padded chairs, etc.)
• Work areas should be modular to allow users to dictate design
• Technology:
• Computers with creativity/idea generation/collaboration software
• Wi-Fi Internet accessibility
• Video Conferencing
• Collaboration Tools:
• White boards
• Flip charts
• Toys (right brained and left brained)
• Post-its
• Pins
• Markers
• Ambient Conditions:
• Independent temperature controls
• Audio/Video available (headphones)
• Inspirational/Creative posters
• Miscellaneous:
• Food/Drink area
• Casual attire
• Cell-phone free zone

Obviously, there is much more to consider when designing and planning for a physical space, but these attributes at least get you thinking about the right questions to ask your design consultant.  In the end, what you are striving for is an area dedicated to creative thought, ideas, solutions and problem solving.  Whatever is specific about your culture that fosters the behaviors that lead to thinking and problem solving is your goal.

Have a GREAT week!!!