Running a successful business depends on a number of factors. It’s not just your ability, or your company’s ability to meet market needs that dictate success. There are also many less obvious factors you have to account for. Designing a workspace is one of them. If you’re just starting a company and need some tips on how to design the workspace, you’re in the right spot. The same applies if you’re looking to redesign your existing offices. Let’s start with the basics.
Know Your Industry
Every industry has its unique workflow profile that is common across most if not all organizations that operate within the said industry. A good example of how different industries operate would be the difference between an accounting company and a game design studio. Accountants are data crunchers who work best when isolated from the rest of the team.
The work of an average accountant rarely requires input from other colleagues. In most cases, every accountant works on one or more individual accounts, alone. On the opposite end of this spectrum, we have game designers. A game design studio is a whole different beast. Game development requires most of the team to be on the same page.
They are all working on the same product meaning that constant communication between different stations and departments is a must. How does any of this affect workspace design? Well, experts over at vestraworkspace.com.au argue that accountants usually benefit from office cubicles while game devs generally like more open space between workstations. In some cases, you’ll have a mix of both.
Function With Form
Aesthetics play a major role in any workspace design. What your office looks like and the vibe it gives off has an impact on first impressions, especially if you often host clients. That being said, your offices also need to be practical and functional.
A functional workspace needs to meet several requirements:
- It has to be clutter-free
- Offer enough room for foot traffic
- Allow for easy access to necessary materials
Clutter-Free Environment
Clutter one of those issues every office has to deal with. No matter what you do, there will always be clutter unless you’re proactive. A messy workstation can create enough clutter that will start getting in the way of everyday operations within that part of the office. If ignored, the clutter issue can spread further around the workspace. Promote a workplace culture that incorporates tidiness to some degree.
Room for Foot Traffic
People need to be able to move through their workspace freely. You’re not running a submarine. There has to be room for people to move and circulate through the office. This applies both to workspaces fitted with cubicles and those that use an open floor design.
Aside from the obvious reason, making enough room for people to move around gives them a sense of freedom. Even if the whole office is divided into cubicles, as long as there is enough room outside the cubicle, the entire office will feel much more open.
Easy Access to Necessary Materials
Depending on your industry and niche, there’s a chance your office will use some sort of materials. Whether it’s printer paper, different types of cloth, or something else, if your job requires materials, you need to have them nearby.
If your entire office requires the use of these materials, it’s a good idea to keep them in a spot where everyone can easily reach what they need. On the other hand, if each station or part of the office requires the use of a specific type of material, make sure that you account for that when you design the workspace.
Create a Workspace Your Employees Will Enjoy
Aesthetics are often a subjective thing. Everyone has their own taste when it comes to what makes an office look good. That being said, most of us share some aesthetic preferences that are often aligned with what’s standard in the industry. Find out what works for your employees and listen to their input. After all, they are the ones who will be spending most of their day surrounded by your creative choices.
Maintain Professionalism
Modern workspace designs come in all sorts of flavors. Although it’s cool to have a break room with a pool table, you should draw a line in the sand or rather a workspace design.
No matter how lax your organization is, you need to maintain a certain level of professionalism. Understand that your offices are a part of your image. Make sure that your image matches your business goals.