How Visual Edge creates environments that engage, empower and inspire people to do their best, most satisfying work.
End Purpose In Mind
Preparing and developing a robust, sharp brief is the key to designs that ignite that spark of recognition in the key decision makers. By taking the time and asking all the right questions to delve into the “why” behind the “what” will reveal the best functional solutions. It is around these key pieces of information that interior designers will create an original brand fit environment in which a business can thrive.
Effective interior designs are conceived with the clients end-purpose in mind and encompass various disciplines from conceptual and developmental to architectural and interior.
'Design is my talent, my passion and the reason I'm still here giving the Mid North Coast a face lift from the inside out after 18 and a half years!'
- Lisa Christie
The devil is in the detail
Every detail must be attended to for commercial Interior Design projects. Spatial planning and test fits are a great way of guaranteeing that designs are worth more than the paper they’re drawn on – they must look great and be totally practical too. This means less stress and better outcomes for the client and everyone involved for that matter. Thorough planning is key.
Being careful to properly communicate the detail gives everyone a sense of certainty about the decisions and the reasoning behind those choices. It takes away any unnecessary uncertainty. Yes we are sure.....
How design relates to productivity
How many times have you walked into an office, a cafe, or even your home, wanting to get work done but instead NOTHING happens; no coherent emails, no done deals, no words on paper, not even one tick on your to-do list?
Don't be too hard on yourself, it's not always you to blame for a lack of productivity. Visual Edge have been meticulous in their research on how to increase productivity through design and it’s been proven there is a link between interior design and productivity levels.
We aren't giving you a free pass to blame your lack of productivity on how many windows are in your work space; if you're just too tired, then windows won’t help, go and take a nap! We are going to share some findings with you and walk you through some design features that can have an effect on whether you close any deals or not in your work place.
Natural Light
Humans need exposure to natural light in order to regulate mood, to experience feelings of happiness and to sleep well. There have been numerous formal studies that demonstrate the following:
- Workers working in areas of the office without windows scored lower on quality life measures related to health problems and vitality.
- Workers that had no to little exposure to natural light slept on average 46 minutes less than those that had exposure.
- Workers without exposure to natural light had poorer outcomes in measures of sleep quality, sleep efficiency, sleep disruption and daytime dysfunction.
So next time, when you can't seem to put pen to paper or fingers to keys, find a naturally lit space to seek inspiration. It helps.
Encourage Human Interaction
Humans are social by nature. When we have meaningful and valuable interactions, we feel happier, we sleep better, we get more done. Spaces that have been designed to encourage interactions are also spaces that encourage productivity. What type of features encourages interactions? Think strategically placed breakout areas or coffee machines, carefully designed lunchrooms to encourage staff to eat in.
Surprisingly, the more people interact, the more productive they become. They feel happier and more comfortable with coworkers.... Interaction with others throughout your day does wonders for productivity.
Art & Decor
Despite what you've been told for years, a distraction at work isn't actually a bad thing, especially not if what is distracting you is art. In fact, it's quite the opposite; art and decor in a work space is known to boost productivity substantially. If you enrich a space people feel much happier and work better; a very good way of doing this is by using art. By eliciting positive emotions, stimulating ideas and giving employees something visually appealing to look at while they work, art can make a huge difference in employee satisfaction, well being, and productivity.
I can't promise the productivity gained from good interior design will balance out the productivity lost from a wild night out. However, I can guarantee that if you put this to the test, try a work space that has natural light flooding in, few but strategically placed coffee machines, a large central and inviting staircase and inspiring art decorating the walls, you are very likely to see a difference in your productivity levels. Go on, you know I'm right!
Click here to see what Lisa Christie's own artwork looks like and the various art projects she has been involved in over the past 20 years.
The work place just got a whole lot more flexible
When designing a flexible work space, what essential elements do you need?
Our own Lisa Christie has been helping companies of various sizes and industries design the best-fit work spaces for their respective needs for over 20 years. For most of the clients she’s worked with, that means creating a more flexible work space.
She believes no one element is more important than another. If companies want to be successful, then they need to incorporate a combination of three things:
Architectural elements
Adaptable furniture
Workplace technology
Each of these components should enable both social, collaborative spaces and activities, as well as private heads-down work. They should also allow for being multi purposed.
Its important to create spaces and furniture that can be as agile as the company needs to be when trying to be innovative and move the business forward as fast as technology is changing.
Advantages of Flexible Design Elements
Businesses are continually looking at what business tools are going to help make them more efficient and more profitable. Smart, future-focused companies know that their work spaces are a business tool, and if you want your business to be successful now and for the long haul, then you have to have a work space that meets the changing needs of your individual employees, teams and departments. Modular components, like adjustable tables and modern room partitions, even modular flooring options can help you meet the ever-changing dynamics of your office landscape. There are also cost savings in this design choice. You save on real estate costs by reducing or maximizing your needed square footage space. Plus, the efficiencies of flexible design elements – i.e. furniture that’s easy to reconfigure and allows employees to easily create an environment where they can be their most productive self – make your office as a whole more efficient. Also not having to replace furniture as frequently, rather just adapt and add on as required. All of this translates into cost savings in the longer term.
