When to say when, when it comes to creativity
Taren Hura, interior design manager
Creativity can be a curse. This is particularly true if it costs you brand integrity, which costs you client security by muddying the waters of corporate identity and finally, when it fails to make it easier for people to do their jobs. To round out quite a gloomy opener, creativity can also slow momentum if the project progress is drowning in creative juices. That’s a lot to digest. But it’s important that there’s a clear understanding around the role of creativity, when it should be applied but most importantly, when it should wait quietly in the corner while the adults (functionality and cost management) are talking.
I’ve said it many times before and it’s just as true today as it’s ever been: effective interior design is all about problem-solving. Many people I’ve spoken to are shocked at this simple fact. There’s more than one show on a screen near you that gives the impression that effective interior design is all about establishing a look and/or character. That may well be the primary objective when creating a successful Netflix series (I’m not a writer), but it won’t bring sustained satisfaction to a team in a humming workplace that depends on cross-functional interactions, access to AV and extra security and storage. In many ways, creativity in interior design is more about:
- Understanding where the design needs to take the team in terms of function
- Taking advantage of any and all opportunities to improve ways of working
- Exploring options around encouraging wellness and improved conditions
- Branding the workplace in a way that actually complements the character of the company
Much like an effective logo/tagline combination (of which the workplace can actually be an extension), a workplace can say and should say a lot about what the company does and perhaps even how it achieves it. Taking that one step further, a creative interior design solution may even go so far as to inspire action, or simply inspire people to:
- interact more readily and face-to-face with colleagues
- work from a standing position as opposed to slumped over a keyboard for extended periods
- Set the tone for visitors and stakeholders from the moment they enter the foyer
Here’s where creativity can create a problem
As always, it’s a case of prioritisation. Let’s make sure the design can help us to achieve all or many of the aforementioned points, before we focus intently on the curved wall that someone really, really wanted or the banister that reminded someone of something from Wayne Manor.
And if we don’t prioritise, all the benefits listed above could be jeopardised. When thinking about costs, we generally think about the price. However, high school economics classes taught us to think about opportunity costs. That is to say, “because we focused our attention and energy on this, we had to forgo that.” So, before thinking creatively from a traditional standpoint, stand out from the crowd and think about establishing functional imperatives first – we can help you with that.
And if there’s a benefit to be had from a smart and creative workplace design, our team will find it and integrate it so that you can exploit it for the life of your lease or until you’re ready to evolve your space.
Let’s create something together.
