CR Blog
Question of the Week 22.09.09
Posted by Mark Sinclair, 22 September 2009, 10:17 Permalink Comments (142)
For this week's question, we want to know about where you work. Just how important is location, location, location in the creative industry?
We're devoting the whole of the November issue of CR to looking at the creative workplace and welcome your thoughts and opinions on life in the studio or agency...
With so much daily communication carried out online, does it matter where you actually work these days?
Is having a building in the creative hub of your town or city important? Or is it still vital to be situated within the "creative quarter"? If you're based in one, where exactly is it? What makes for the ideal studio or agency location?
What about the building you're in? Do you favour the clinical white cube, or a more chaotic, personalised space? Do you surround yourself with inspiration, or cut yourself off from distractions?
So, tell us about where you work, what the creative quarter is like is your town or city and whether you feel it's necessary to be surrounded by other creative people, or work in splendid isolation.
UPDATE THANKS FOR ALL THE RESPONSES SO FAR. IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO SEE SOME OF THE FANTASTIC SPACES DESCRIBED SO WE HAVE SET UP A FLICKR GROUP. PLEASE UPLOAD A PICTURE OF YOUR WORKSPACE/STUDIO/AGENCY/VIEW OUT THE WINDOW ETC ETC HERE WE WILL FEATURE THE MOST INTERESTING IN THE NOVEMBER ISSUE
Question of the Week is produced in partnership with MajorPlayers
142 Comments
We're currently working from a creative depot, filled with various designers, production companies, agencies and creatives. Lots of interactions and joint projects have come off that wouldn't even have been concieved without their close proximately. Like any community, you need a focal point. Isolation sooner or later breeds stagnancy.
We're also based in a creative quarter of Leicester which has been lovingly redeveloped. Which helps.
2009-09-22 11:34:44
I work on two 21" monitors, all other surroundings are irrelevant!
2009-09-22 11:41:12
An open plan studio is a must - I can never understand closed "departments" as I se that everyone at the agency should be considered 'creative' and have some insight, idea or throw-away thought that can change the direction of a design job for the better. It avoids politics (something I've never had in 15 years of running design agencies) and creates more of a playful, family atmosphere.
Also, each persons desk is a holy ground in my opinion - I have the usual laptop, monitor, phone, etc. but then there's the vinyl toys, funky drinks coaster and print-outs of work in progress plastered around me... this would all be impossible if we had 'hot desks'... just the thought makes me feel homeless!
Then the general environment has to be stimulating. Silence is banned here - there has to be music, and it must be varied (so everyone likes what they hear at some point at least!) and the walls have both bespoke graphics and a load of Blik wall vinyls creatively placed around the whole agency.
We are in Farringdon, which has it's inspirations, but probably the most invigorating area I've worked in was Brixton! Obviously not the hub of creative talent, but certainly an area that keeps your thought processes ticking over with multiple tangents, which has to be good when you're 'switched off' and coming up with subconscious thought processes that 'ping' into a great idea!
2009-09-22 11:47:28
@Ross
Can you tell us more about this "depot"? What's it called, how many studios are there and what is the atmosphere like - are there any shared spaces or events to allow you to meet each other? Also, where is the creative quarter in Leicester? How extensive is it?
Thanks
PatrickBurgoyne
2009-09-22 11:48:11
In the Wasteland of Disneyworldville, also known as Florida. I have not heard of, nor do I really care to know of, any worthwhile design studios here in this nasty humid heat.
I'm a freelancer and I've got a real nice home office setup, work out of my laptop, work with a lot of materials, but I've never worked on a creative project with someone else in this state. Guess I prefer isolation at a big black desk, painted red walls, mood lighting. Almost like Trent Reznor's recording studio.
2009-09-22 11:49:17
I used to work in the big city, but now I work in a small village west of London. I suppose we are in the creative quarter as there's an artists studio just across the green. I don't think its necessary to work in a city 'hub' just as long as there are creative people around you, that's all that matters.
Currently on the wall next to my desk is a poster I made of Ilsa Parry from the BBC2 series 'Design for Life' she is my inspiration at the moment, plus I drew her in the office sweepstake...
2009-09-22 11:53:20
We're a new business currently battling between the idea of the spacious office in a barn in the countryside, or a smaller space in the buzz of the city - or maybe even dual locations?
My gut feeling is that the city will provide more insight and inspiration, but the country will be a better environment to work in (and travel to).
2009-09-22 12:06:52
We struggled with this question recently just before we moved in to the new Electric Works building in Sheffield (http://www.electric-works.net/). Ultimately we were sold on it being in an inspiring, modern and fun environment. The first attraction was the slide (it goes from the 3rd floor to reception) but then the idea of this being a creative hub gave us more to think about. Most of our work is an outsourcing service it helps that the other tenants are creative digital business and we’re hoping the mere fact we’re in this building will help increase our client list. We’ve been here about 5 months now and things are looking hopeful.
We could work from home or from cheaper offices as we're only a small team but we've tried that and it just doesn't work very well for very long. Most of us in the office don’t use the slide everyday, the novelty has worn off - it’s actually quite a shock to the system, it’s very fast - but, Tim uses it 3 or 4 times a day - it makes him so happy and I think if your work environment has the power to make you happy then that can only be a good thing.
2009-09-22 12:11:10
Poole, in Dorset. The ability to see the sea every day is the source of never ending inspiration.
2009-09-22 12:12:24
My office has a couple of other businesses sharing as well, and the energ of other people buzzing about and creating and stuff is contagious.
I personally bounce off other people's energy when I work, so location matters to me, but when I'm doing serious writing it's solo and hidden from the world. (In Sydney's eastern suburbs)
2009-09-22 12:22:19
I've reviewed this on my blog, but here's a summary of what the article says. Feel free to read it in full at http://www.grahamcreative.me
Ultimately it’s what the agency stands for: It’s leaders, it’s first few new employees, and a conviction and single-mindedness to what it stands for.
The building may help impress a client initially, but after the first meeting, it’s what you stand for, the characters the clients meet, and underneath it all – what you can do for their brand and their career. Good agencies know who they are, and won’t falter from this, even in a recession. Building and mediums may change. But providing a single-minded approach remains. The great creative work will not.
2009-09-22 12:30:05
Rural France,
You get a different take on cities when you don't need to take them on each day for survival.
When I'm not traveling or using rented locations and studios, its nice sometimes for people to take a few days out and come and work with me.
2009-09-22 12:33:01
I share a floor with my previous employer who ever so nicely let me have it rent free whilst I get settled into starting my own business. I haven't had any jobs come through a local source yet so I can't imagine having where I'm sat having any impact on how I work. However, I'm not enjoying listening to road works everyday for the last 2 months.
2009-09-22 12:34:11
@Emma Cooper
Oh Em Geeeeee! That's where I want to work!
we currently work in Liverpool's posh medical district in the basement of a centre offering counseling services, we have a pink wall. It's disgusting and I hate it. we also have an office above a dildo shop round the corner from Hoxton Sq. we only really give jobs to our mates because they're all brilliant so we don't need a hub, or a load of other people doing something similar round the corner, but I would like to meet people to go for no strings attached I don't want to hear about your girlfriend/fantasy pregnancy/fat legs drinks with on a Friday night. Deffo couldn't work from home, would result in major cat fights.
2009-09-22 12:36:33
The issue of whether or not the building and area are fundamental in what you produce probably depends on the Agency type (Adland Agency or graphic boutique). Ultimately though your mum was right all along:
Me:
I work as an Art Director within the studio of a 50-100 employee integrated agency. It’s an old converted manure-processing plant, and before that a flour mill from the industrial revolution. It never fails to impress clients and new starters, and the creative team sits on the top floor, a vaulted area in the attic overlooking the station and mile around. It’s stunning, but this is not what makes us great. It’s the like-minded staff, single-minded leadership and the ethos that exists within.
Building:
Some of the best agencies in London work in very traditional office buildings. Okay – so they’re decorated with white walls, fascinating objet d’art and vintage furniture – but the buildings themselves are not inherently inspiring.
Area:
Creative folk need to be constantly inspired and influenced. It’s a complex balance, and it’s often very personal. Most find being in cultural city centers such as London’s East Central best, but many also draw it from the free space of an old farm or countryside dwelling. A good agency will keep and attract like-minded people.
The crux:
All the great creative agencies have had, or still have, bullish single-minded leadership. Behind them are an eclectic array of like-minded staff blended with a cocktail of strategic arrogance and a heavy dose of atmospheric fun.
Summary:
Ultimately it’s what the agency stands for: It’s leaders, it’s first few new employees, and a conviction and single-mindedness to what it stands for.
The building may help impress a client initially, but after the first meeting, it’s what you stand for, the characters the clients meet, and underneath it all – what you can do for their brand and their career. Good agencies know who they are, and won’t falter from this, even in a recession. Building and mediums may change. But providing a single-minded approach remains. The great creative work will not.
It’s an old analogy, but your mum was right: Beauty comes from within (as does agency profit, inspiring creative work, happy clients, and a career filled with happiness and success).
2009-09-22 12:36:56
I'm an international nomad, macbook pro in hand, it's a nightmare, wouldn't recommend it to anybody, you need to be tough tough tough to hack it, and I have a bag full of screwdrivers, cooling fans, hard disks, cables, RAM sticks etc etc for when something dies in the field, and my collarbone aches permanently on the left hand side from the strap.
Wouldn't have been possible 3 years ago though, the laptops just didn't have the power. I was chained to a desk and landline in westbourne studios, which wasn't so great either.
Thing is, I did read about somebody complaining that they had to travel at fearsome expense for only 3 weeks a year and pay for ouch price hotels while covering their home expenses while they were away. Made me think I've got it pretty good TBH. Plus I'm not a tourist. People hate tourists.
I think that slide in sheffield is one of the funnest things I've seen for a while.
2009-09-22 12:37:48
We work in the middle of nowhere in the West of Ireland. Both of us who work in the company try to combine our art practice with our design business so we built an open plan art/design studio which is surrounded by the beautiful unspoilt West of Ireland Countryside. The technology and skills we use in the production of our commercial designs have greatly influenced how we make our multi-media installations, so so far so good!
Our clients are based all over the country and our location has never deterred us from getting work. I think maintaining a productive and creative workflow through diversification of media and materials is paramount to keeping your practice fresh... which is far more important than where you're located.
2009-09-22 12:44:42
I work from a design studio at home in the North Yorkshire countryside. Two phones, one for outgoing calls leaving one always free for incoming calls and potential work. Same setup for mobiles. Leeds Bradford Airport is 15 minutes away in case I need to get to London or Europe. Railway station is 5 minutes away and on the mainline to London.
I often start work at 6am and clients often remark they can hear the birds singing as we talk. Have worked in several studios and constant interruptions, background chatter, numerous phones ringing etc can make it really difficult to concentrate.
If I get to a quiet point, I pick up my camera and go for a walk for an hour.
2009-09-22 12:46:22
I work in a creative agency just outside Bournemouth, being a recent graduate I was tempted by the big smoke and still am but I found that staying local has helped me gain the valuable experience to build on,
I have lived in Bournemouth the majority of my life and couldn't imagine a more inspiring place to work, with the sun, sea and the blue rinse.
The building I work in is a converted house which has a very homely feeling and all the guys roam free and interact to gain inspiration, and being in a quiet area of the town it allows you to be with your ideas.
Bournemouth is great but still liking the idea of London
http://marcbubb.co.uk/
2009-09-22 12:59:08
@Al - make sure everyone has a car before you settle for the countryside!
2009-09-22 13:01:12
Generally, I work on the edge.
That goes for location as much as the work. Location-wise just outside the trendy place to have your creative agency, in the bit that's now becoming the new trendy place to have one because 'it's still real', and not so cliche like the old trendy place.
A few people balked when we moved to our current home, then they checked out the Southbank on our doorstep, having had a meeting in our garden... they soon realised why we left Soho.
I say "Work where the rent is good, space is ample and quality of life can be preserved". Everything else is just 'stuff'.
2009-09-22 13:03:44
Ross McMinn, the first comment, is very important. The need for connection. Sll humans need social connection, and for creatives, that means creative connections. No matter where you are, you simply must be, and feel, connected. This connection was recently discussed by the RSA, a talk I went to and felt truly inspired by. You can check the talk out on the RSA's website here: http://is.gd/3yNod
2009-09-22 13:05:29
We are at Great Portland Street. Location is of paramount importance. Here's what I wrote on the subject for the last edition of New Design magazine:-
"Location. I’m tempted to say that word three times. That’s what it’s all about for me though – the office is on Great Portland Street, in Fitzrovia to be precise. Walking distance from both the crazy buzz of Soho and the aloof coolness of Mayfair. For me, design is about brain food; and there’s an awful lot of that about in central London these days. I get enough inspiration walking from the tube to the office in the morning to last me until… at least lunchtime. For as long as anyone can remember, London has been full to bursting point with a multiplicity of language, culture, ideas, beliefs. Good grist for the designer’s mill.
I love the personal symmetries too. My first ever design job (in 1991) was at Norman Foster’s old office just a few doors down from this place. And when I was a boy in the early 70s, the Post Office Tower (now called BT Tower) was a much-admired icon of my visual landscape, like the Airfix Spitfire or the Raleigh Chopper. As I look up from my desk and out of the window – there it stands, as iconic as ever. It feels like coming home."
2009-09-22 13:11:41
I work in my friends flat just down the road; in a teeny office, my printer's in the wardrobe. But it has everything we need - it just makes you ruthless about the things you store, you actually need very little!
2009-09-22 13:14:47
I work in my friends flat just down the road; in a teeny office, my printer's in the wardrobe. But it has everything we need - it just makes you ruthless about the things you store, you actually need very little!
2009-09-22 13:20:53
I'm creative director of InboxDMG. We have one problem - we're based on the outskirts of Swindon, which doesn't give you a sense of glamour and creative inspiration.
However for me, it's more about the office space. We're open plan, have stuff all over the walls and lots of sofas, etc. We've a pool table, darts board and table footy table to release some frustration and an American themed diner for lunch, etc.
Some pics here - http://www.inbox.co.uk/news.php?cid=2379&type=news
As long as your environment is right, you can produce good work. Plus talented people who each bring their own take on things and stuff they've seen.
We do have a cracking client list, have won bucket loads of awards and some genius talent here. The office is a big sell from those people I interview. They're always quite surprised.
Also, as we're not in the middle of a city, we're less stressed. Would you rather sweat on the tube for an hour or drive through the Cotswolds?
2009-09-22 13:24:20
I'm currently working (copywriting) in my wooden shed in the garden of my house in Dorset, with views over the fields and the little steam train puffing past the hedge. Can walk to the sea and the wonderful Square and Compass. (You're very welcome for a briefing meeting). But how come so few people seem to want 'remote' suppliers? Although I've had clients in London and elsewhere, including ABROAD, most agencies still seem to want someone round the corner. Perhaps I should just pretend that's where I am: they need never know. Should have thought of that years ago.....
Mike Hadley
http://www.mikehadley.net
2009-09-22 13:32:03
I work as a designer in a pencil factory in Cumbria! The start of creativity that is the humble pencil :-)
2009-09-22 13:32:05
Barn Conversion in rural Shropshire - sleeps 6 creatives
We share a courtyard of 16th Century Barns with 4 other creative businesses (glass sculptors, furniture designers and fine artists).
Our studios are set over 2 open plan floors with a mezzanine so our entrance hall opens right up to the 2nd story oak timbered ceiling - clients love it. The interior design is as contemporary as we could get away with in an ancient building (managed to argue a couple of curved walls and a rubber floor into the building spec - all tastefully hone, honestly). Fantastic to work in with high ceilings lots of space to spread out in and lots of air. A far cry from some of the cramped city publishing houses I've worked in, and a space far more conducive to creativity than any I've worked in before.
And we have parking space for about 30 cars!
There's always a steady buzz in the atmosphere but when the pressure gets too much we can take a 5 minute break and walk down by a river or across an ancient church yard, or play frisbee in our huge garden.
Now no one lives more than 5 miles from the office - one of us used to commute from a city but has recently moved into the village and has a 5 minute walk to work.
Sounds good? It has its downsides: the nearest post office and sarnie shop are about 2 miles away - nearest town about 4. There are no motorcycle couriers - anywhere, clients get lost finding us (satnavs aren't up to the job), we have to travel big distances to bring in work and we don't earn the money we would in a city (property rental is 1/4 that of London, tho!). We've been here for so long that we don't consider any of these issues anymore - the lifestyle we get in exchange is easily worth the minor hassles.
If we were in a different environment we'd have different influences, a different pace and produce different work. I'm sure our space has shaped us as an agency and none of us would be happy anywhere else...
2009-09-22 13:33:23
I work in 2 places, my team are in our office in Portree on the Isle of Skye and I'm in Inverness, so I get to travel the 110 miles through the most amazing scenery you'll see in this country (passing about 5 cars on a busy day). However, the Skye office is bright and modern, we designed the ergonomic desking ourselves, all open plan so you can get the banter, my office in Inverness is in my house, lots of posters and accumulated clutter, is anyone else a visual magpie?, I just hang on to stuff I like. I look out over my garden, big lawn and trees, the Skye office is near the village centre and about 100yards from the sea. Are you jealous yet!
2009-09-22 13:36:53
I'm in Dallas, Texas. It's no Austin, but it's the next best the Lone Star State has to offer and I do love this place. The company I'm with is largely a sales company - I'm only the second designer they're hired. It's just me and my boss, the creative director. I think he's just happy to have another designer around. GIven that it is sales here, there's a huge presence of people and they're loud and boisterous and a little crazy in that sales way which is different from design crazy so I'm adjusting. Lots and lots of football, how bout dem Cowboys? Very few offices to speak of, I get my own desk and two (two!) monitors and I'm gradually personalizing my space. After four years of school and being surrounded by other artists and designers, this is a brand new experience.
2009-09-22 13:39:06
thank for the diffrent intressting opinions.:-)
2009-09-22 13:43:06
I work in Blackpool where there is a distinct lack of Creatives let alone a Creative Quarter. This is evident in the work that gets produced and distributed for and by local businesses. I think that for the industry to grow in areas like this there needs be a Creative Quarter of sorts. Although most work is carried out online and in that sense geographical position isn't relevant, but where do you go/who do you talk to when you require inspiration, its sometimes extremely beneficial for your self and others to meet and talk about how there creative lives are progressing and developing. This can then give you the inspiration to go in other directions and help self improvement in your craft.
2009-09-22 13:43:23
We have worked for the last 13 years in a converted stables attached to a 17th century country house with a traditional English garden, 3 acres of land and a beautiful courtyard pool. Clients love coming here, we love being here, everyone is happy. No one has ever left a job here. We might outgrow it soon. That will be a sad day. Some say you should be in London, some say an office block. Those people tend to be in London or an office block.
Long live green fields and the chance to dream a little, to gaze at living things, to wonder at the beauty of it all. Long live the revolution. Long live Mintsalad.
2009-09-22 13:43:23
Location : Center of Brussels on the 7th Floor of an 50s building with a terras of 140M2.
The view from the studio is amazing.
Hot in the summer, snowy landscape in the winter, windy on a stormy day. But always fun.
2009-09-22 13:47:34
Hi Mark. Is this the same Mark I went to University and Art College in Blackpool with?
If so Hello again! And I agree totally with your point that "where do you go/who do you talk to when you require inspiration, its sometimes extremely beneficial for your self and others to meet and talk about how there creative lives are progressing and developing. This can then give you the inspiration to go in other directions and help self improvement in your craft."
2009-09-22 13:57:05
I work in the rural North (Lake District)
The surrounding are a constant inspiration and I think it’s more of a lifestyle choice than a career move. You certainly don't get the agencies up here and clients are pretty easy to please. Jobs are very few and far between and I am currently in a design/marketing role subsidised by freelance I’ve got from previous roles (I took redundancy last Christmas from Newsquest). I miss the interaction from fellow designers as jobs here are usual only one position unless you work for a ‘McPrinters’ were you are constantly dishing out dildge as quickly as possible! Like I say I think it’s more about lifestyle! I used to work in a city where if you opened the window you would hear the drunks fighting with each other outside. Now I hear birds all day long and can see the sea out of the window! I decided to come home to work and I think I have suffered career wise for it. It’s definitely not this global playing field that everyone thinks! I have registered loads for freelance all over the country but they must just see my address and run for the hills!
We aren't all cragg rats up here!!!!
2009-09-22 14:00:20
For the past 10 years, we have worked from a converted dairy parlour in South Shropshire with a panoramic view of the surrounding hills, Ludlow, the Malvern Hills and the Dale valley. You cant beat it for natural colour and inspiration. Every day through the window is a different picture.
Our clients upon arrival always bypass us and go straight to see the view, its a great selling point.
I can agree with Stony Ben |(2009-09-22 13:33:23) as they are a studio just down the valley from us and we all agree its a fantastic area to work in, and real ales are never that far away.
2009-09-22 14:07:39
I work as a graphic designer for All Star Lanes.Situated in the Clock tower of the Trueman brewery over looking Brick Lane. Its a lovely space, full of character and musty smells. To be honest it makes me feel special working in what I consider the very heart of creativity in Britain!
2009-09-22 14:09:38
Cupboard in Farringdon.
2009-09-22 14:11:09
I work in what used to be the Old Holborn tobacco warehouse in Clerkenwell. Office is open plan and definitely beats working in sterile white managed offices.
Used to work in a converted 18th century barn out in the country - was nice apart from our MDs constant (indoor) chain smoking and the low beams I was forever hittting my head on!
2009-09-22 14:11:32
we have a studio above a printers with good access for our clients, the partnership between us and the the printers is good for creativity and for referrals. I used to have a rural office (it was my dream), but felt isolated, now we're in a space where our freelancers can all drop in easily for hot desking and meetings. I value their company as well as their ideas - creativity gives off a buzz when it's face to face.
2009-09-22 14:14:30
As a photographer who also writes books, I work from a purpose-built studio attached to my house, a remote cottage where deer peer through the kitchen window while I eat breakfast. After 20 years in London I was professionally lonely when first we moved here but I'm old enoughto bounce my own ideas around and I value the peace to get on with my work unhassled and the stimulus provided by the landscape, the weather and the changing seasons. But crucially we have excellent communications, 2 hours by road to London and rather less by train. We have excellent broadband out here and I work for clients all over the world. No way would we live in London again.
2009-09-22 14:17:43
I work in a small creative agency in bournemouth and as a few others from the area have said, the open space and the sea is a constant inspiration. It can be difficult to find really great creative businesses here, though there are many, so I felt lucky to find a good job here as a designer. I had experienced living and working in London, but as a Cornish girl found being in the closed city space difficult. We have a nice, modern studio space which is quite open so we can all brainstorm and talk (sometimes gossip!) easily. Our building also houses other creative business so we are lucky to be able to work with some fantastic photographers & film makers etc.
2009-09-22 14:25:44
Location is important, but not as much as environment.
We work in a futuristically designed building, and get kudos from that, but it's more important that the work-space and environment is creative. We need to feed of creative influences constantly to keep with the game. Being surrounded by the bland doesn't work.
2009-09-22 14:26:43
am a writer and editor (in Toronto, Canadada), and so have the ability to set up shop pretty much anywhere there is Internet connectivity available to me. Generally I either work from home (not my favourite) or rent desk space at a design studio run by a friend. I much prefer working at the studio to working at home. There is good collegiality at the studio and music playing and human energy pinging and flinging around and discussions of art and politics and bacon and other good engaging shit and although I am doing the lonely work of writing, being present there allows me to avoid feeling isolated. It is ideal, that set-up, because perfection for me is working alone, but surrounded by other people. Alone but not lonely. Yep. That sitch is good and full of goodness.
The actual physical edifice is not that important to me, altho' the studio is in a nice old building, pretty, has big windows and lots of bookshelves with books on them, and is in a bustling creative quarter (Liberty Village), and I do like that. But I care more about the company I keep than the building in which I keep it, for sure. Human excellence trumps architectural foofery. Every time.
2009-09-22 14:27:30
We work in Leicester (not in the depot though!). In terms of bricks'n'mortar we've got a couple of buildings and plenty of parking, so plenty of space to work and grow. Leicester's an hour away from London or the Peak District, so inspirationally we get the best of both worlds.
Got a bit of office space to rent out btw if anyone's interested in joining us here!
2009-09-22 14:29:02
Since freelancing, I've worked in a purpose built studio in my garden on the Isle of Wight. As with most freelancers that move from full-time agency work to working by themselves, I found it very lonely. My last full-time job was with a very close team. I miss them. I love my job though and feel I'm producing some of my best work.
2009-09-22 14:29:22
I am (arguably) fortunate enough to work in a nature reserve. I'm the in-house designer for a major UK conservation charity. I share an office with the PR team which creates a good social buzz - often it can be distracting as i take interest in their work but when i worked on my own in an office for a while it stifled my creative energies so the communal office helps.
As my work is primarily focused on the nature we promote at our reserves it is useful for me to escape into the beautiful grounds at lunch and watch birds through the hides or feel the wind from the nearby estuary blow the cobwebs away. This also helps focus myself on the what it is I am promoting so that i am close to my subject matter.
However, in terms of specific design environment it's not exactly geared towards that but I still have my own 'space' I can call my own, which I fill with my personal clutter. Being in the West and away from London means i do feel separate from the main hub of design industry forcing me to explore the industry and it's changes more actively.
2009-09-22 14:34:36
Since 2005 Kleber has converted to what you can call a "virtual" company — meaning we got rid of our office in London in favour of working remotely from our homes. Since we're a small studio to begin with and have been working together for a long time it was a painless transition, and we're in touch with each other every day via phone, IM and email.
As far as location is concerned… We're currently spread out all over the UK with people in Sheffield, London (me) and the South-East — and have no problems whatsoever with being available for clients (we can easily meet them at their offices), and the luxury of working from home is second to none. Location these days is not important. With a proper internet connection and a phone you can work for anyone, anywhere at any time.
2009-09-22 14:39:52
We work in a futuristically designed building, and get kudos from that, but it's more important that the work-space and environment is creative. We need to feed of creative influences constantly to keep with the game. Being surrounded by the bland doesn't work
2009-09-22 14:49:00
I'm an illustrator so i can work pretty much wherever i like so long as there's an internet connection and space for my scanner. For the last two years I've been in rural Rutland, where the rent is cheap and there's plenty of countryside. Our sofa's been relegated to an upstairs bedroom and I've turned the sitting room into my studio. It works fine for me and clients have no desire to see me in person so there are no problems. We're moving to Bristol though, where I have friends in an amazing studio with open plan spaces as well as closed but large, light rooms for one or two artists. I'd love to be able to see other illustrators more often but I'd also rather have my own space as I've become accustomed to spreading myself out and having it all to myself, so one of those rooms would be perfect.
2009-09-22 14:49:01
We've been based in Islington Mill Studios for almost 3 years. Its a former cotton spinning mill in Salford, very close to Manchester’s city centre. Unlike much of Manchester's industrial heritage, which has been converted into loft apartments, Islington Mill is now home to over 50 artists studios, an art gallery, a recording studio and a venue space.
Islington Mill is an ongoing independent project that is all about the 'doing'. There's a real diverse group of creatives, ranging from photographers and designers to musicians (The Ting Tings we're residents here for almost 3 years until they moved to Berlin). Johny Marr can be spotted around the place as well from time to time which always puts a smile on any graduates/placement we have in.
For us it's really important to be surrounded by other interesting creatives, it has a real impact on how we think and what we do. Plus there's a real community feel to the place, which is refreshing and there's plenty of get togethers - Bands playing in the club space, BBQ's on the yard in the summer and collective events in the run up to Christmas.
We could have moved over to the Northern Quarter in Manchester if we wanted but we made a choice to stay here and don't feel it's restricted us as a business. We've been able to enjoy and grow (now a team of 8) by being on the edge of it all. And that's just how we like it.
2009-09-22 14:53:38
In the lovely Churnet Valley, Staffordshire Moorlands, about 10 minutes from The Roaches. Well at least we will be when we move there in two weeks time -- yippee!
At the moment though we are based near to Churnet Valley and near to Dimmingsdale. It's still beautiful and I can still don my climbing shoes when I want to de-stress. Nothing like a good climb to get the creative juices flowing! In fact we save a fortune on all of those silly toys -- who needs toys when you can nip out into the Peak District for your lunch? Great inspiration everywhere.
We are only a small agency so having all of this wonderful countryside around us suits us. I wouldn't have it any other way. Easy access to everything we and our clients want.
The downside is though that work can be a little hard to come by and getting larger businesses from the cities to trust such a small agency can be a bit of a fight. We do excellent work though and I think being so stress-free shines through in both our work and our willingness to help our clients. Plus everyone is so lovely around here, connections are everywhere.
2009-09-22 15:11:34
@PatrickBurgoyne
Hi Patrick,
The depot is called the LCB Depot (Leicester Creative Business) and it's on the site of an old Leicester Bus Depot (again LCB for continuity). It spans two buildings with a shared courtyard. It contains 55 workspaces (which works out at about 50 businesses) http://www.lcbdepot.co.uk . There's 3 meeting rooms and a cafe, and the building regularily hosts networking / creative events which are publicised both within the depot and the wider creative community.
There's a twinned building opening close by called Phoenix Square which will be a Digital Media Centre. This contains about 40 studios, editing and production facilities, meeting spaces, innovation centre and 3 cinema screens.
Both of these sit in the Cultural Quarter of Leicester (apologies, I notice I put Creative quarter in my first post)which also hosts several venues and the new Curve theatre (which cost a fair chunk of cash...).
We moved to the Depot specifically because we were isolated as a company, based on the outskirts of Leicester (above a lawn mower repair shop and boy did we know it). Obviously it's different for everyone but working within a creative community means that you're constantly being exposed to new ideas and ways of working which has been invaluable to us.
2009-09-22 15:29:24
@Ross
Thanks a lot. Could be very useful for the next issue PatrickBurgoyne
2009-09-22 15:34:59
The six of us gawk optimistically at our screens, in the midst of woodland, sedum on the roof, off the main drag in deepest Lancashire. Sounds idyllic? Yes it is…
More computers than people in a calm white open space with workshop/play space attached, sort of Blue Peter or Vision On (for those who are old enough to remember) with paint, chainsaws and spindle moulders etc etc etc.
Then there’s the down side, a crap broadband connection to the outside world, we work and travel a lot for clients in Scandinavia.
Ultimately it’s what you produce for your clients, but we feel the environs contribute to that flaky inner creative space. Come on guys stop staring out of the window…deliver. I must ring BT again.
2009-09-22 15:39:51
I work at an agency in Glasgow. We are a top 5 Scottish agency but still I feel that all the top brands go south - and along with them, the large budgets and creative briefs!
2009-09-22 15:50:09
I'm actually working on this sort of theme for my final year project on my product design engineering degree, although I am focussing mainly on "nomadic working". This could simply mean people who travel around within their own workplace, those who travel between work and home creative environments. I really want a user-centered approach to my project, so I'm finding it really interesting reading all these comments!
If there are any of you who would be willing to be contacted regarding my research for this project, please email me at louisecochranedesign@gmail.com.
With regards to where I work, I have to flit between Strathclyde University and my flat in Glasgow city center.
2009-09-22 16:02:06
I work in a two storey Georgian building 10 mins from Richmond station in Surrey.
The other designer and I have a whole room to ourselves which is spacey, light and cheerful and it's a 30 second walk down to the river if I need to clear my head.
Saying that, my desk is a mess with ideas scattered all over!
We're based here as the creative director lives in nearby Hampton so it's within easy reach as she has a child at school, plus it's not too far out for clients to come and see us from London.
2009-09-22 16:10:14
Thanks for all the great comments so far. We'd like to see the spaces described - please upload images to our Flickr group (see updated text in the post for link). We will feature the most interesting ones in the November issue PatrickBurgoyne
2009-09-22 16:34:00
Being one half of a small creative agency - fuwagardner - and also on my own as a photographer and writer, I enjoy a great deal of freedom in terms of workplace location. I have a small studio in a complex of artist/designer studios which is located by the river in Chiswick.
I worked from home for many years - and still do from time to time - but it's great to be in a more creative environment. But my tiny studio is a haven - I'm surrounded with my books and photos and there's just enough room for two of us when needed.
When working on fuwagardner projects, we usually work separately by email/ftp/phone, and then come together for major creative and client meetings. It works really well for us, although we can see the day fairly soon where we need to occupy the same space more of the time. We also sometimes meet and work in other locations throughout London - the RSA or wi-fi equipped cafes are our usual haunts. It's sometimes nice to be somewhere "buzzy" rather than enjoying glorious solitude.
As much as I love the idea, I can't imagine being based outside of London without radically changing our client base.
2009-09-22 16:41:28
The loft in my home has been converted to a light, fairly spacious office, which suits me perfectly as an independent designer. I live on the outskirts of a town and have great views to the Cotswold hills if I'm in need of inspiration... or a bit of day-dreaming!
2009-09-22 16:43:30
We’re based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the UK.
The building used to be an old warehouse but they have refurbished it into about 50/60 offices for Small and Medium Sized Creative Companies.
It’s quite good being here; you have all the trendy shops and vintage outlets down Oldham road, mixed in with the new apartments and a few burnt out cars and abandoned houses behind you in Ancoats.
Our office is a blank space, but we make it our own. We have massive pictures around the walls, have loads of books and random stuff around the desks and we have an iPod Hi-Fi so we get to blast electro, dubstep and grime out of the studio all day long! Since we are all around 22-25 years of age so our environment and the external environment fits it all in quite well.
Also, we’re like 5 minutes away from the main train station so getting to London and back is very handy.
2009-09-22 16:49:19
Well I guess I better represent for Birmingham!
I am a partner at SMILE (http://www.wearesmile.com) and I just graduated. I set up the business whilst at university and moved into our studio the day after we left.
Birmingham has a few creative areas, but we moved into Digbeth which will see huge regeneration over the next decade. We're really excited about the future of Birmingham.
We chose the city because it was easy to get to printers, suppliers and clients etc. It's all about being connected for us.
We did however work virtually for 2 years. We use google apps for your domain and have a collaborative online space where we could "meet" and work together. This worked well but having a solid space is just incredible.
We turned our studio into an informal living space that we enjoy turning up to work for and keeps us relaxed but at the same time it is formal enough for our clients.
The building that our studio is in is an old bonded warehouse right over the canal. It's like a little walled Victorian village!
2009-09-22 16:53:04
I´m actually working at SoHo´s magazines HQ´s in Bogotá, Colombia (www.soho.com.co), an office with good environment and bad computers. We watch sports most of the day in our LCD TV, every now and then the country´s most beautiful top models strive into our offices to review their photos, and overall we have a good time. The office is located in a 5 story building where other magazines have their offices as well, one block away from Parque de la 93, one of Bogota´s parks, surrounded by restaurants and bars (great for an after office hang out).
Changin the subject a little bit, I´ll be leaving for London beginning January 2010 -i´ll be taking some evening courses- and I wanted to know if anyone had a space for a journalist in one of thos hip places you´ve been commenting about. Any info at: tarditi36@hotmail.com
Thanks!
2009-09-22 17:04:14
I work in a lovely home office in Los Angeles via the desert of Arizona, or wherever my laptop will take me.
2009-09-22 17:20:15
Running Landet Advertising from Sweden. Landet translated in english is Country Side. We went all the way. Moving from Stockholm City to the beautiful surroundings in Dalarna. It's 2,5 hour drive to Stockholm and only 1,5 hour flight from London. Being watched by 3 horses through my nearest window and talking to a client on the phone. Brining the clients to us for a full day workshop is magic. You are welcome to come over for a cup of coffee! Thanks!
jojje@landetreklam.se
http://www.landetreklam.se
2009-09-22 18:18:52
You're all making me feel very boring. We work on the fifth floor in a 60's tower block in Birmingham... Great views of Birmingham though. And I don't think you need amazing surroundings to be inspired as a designer. Inspiration comes from a state of mind - probably why I get most inspired on my cycle ride home.
2009-09-22 19:51:30
There are NO decent creative agencies in Stoke-on-Trent. I work out of the loft of my house, which has everything I need. I think a trendy postcode would probably give me an advantage, but I try to let the quality of work give me an advantage.
I'm only a student, but I'm not doing too badly so far.
2009-09-22 20:42:41
I work as an art director in McCann Erickson Sofia.
Our office is in an mid 60s built factory.
2009-09-22 21:12:12
We have an 1900 Victorian property in Leicester, which we are fast outgrowing. It is a nice space though with loads of lunch choices on Queens Road. We are 5 minutes from the station which has been perfect for us opening our London office in Farringdon. We are door to door in an hour and half.
I would like more space and have considered open plan, but I not sure really, I guess there are pros and cons. I think open plan ish, with small alcoves or spaces for teams to gather would be good. Our office in London is lovely and directly about the Clerkenwell Kitchen, a sustainable restaurant with amazing chocolate brownies and really lovely staff.
Personally, and thanks to the iPhone, I work anywhere and everywhere. Wherever there is coffee or scrambled egg (for breakfast) is good for me!!
2009-09-22 22:30:02
Everything matters - your location (South Melbourne), your environment (Converted warehouse type space with high ceilings and exposed brick - not that fancy), the music (open policy, same track comes on too often), the biscuits in the cupboard (chocolate cookies), the table tennis table (x1), the beer in the fridge (full), the open plan office (battery hen arrangement that works well), the galleries on your doorstep (within 15 mins), the sandwich shop on the corner (its ok, but the market is a 7min walk), the bookshop (small but stocked), the weather (mixed but great in summer) and last but not least the friendly people (an eclectic mix of personality types for all occasions) who you 'choose' to spend over 40 hours a week with. Melbourne is a great place with a fabulous culture - love it.
Studio Utopia: Somewhere with an amazing view, the 54th floor of some fancy building in NY where you can look down on the world. A studio on a beach with easy going types. A studio on an Aeroplane or yacht would be perfect, allowing you to follow the work and a whim.
A place that allows you to escape but at the same time but in amongst it, in a second.
2009-09-23 06:39:24
we work in a former karate dojo which used to be a small factory back in the 50's.
http://www.no-do.ch/media/presentation/no-do-studio.png
2009-09-23 07:44:22
we're housed in a re-commissioned warehouse in inner city perth, western australia. most of the older buildings have been knocked down in preparation for the city's terribly mundane reincarnation as pubai. we share our space with a group of architects, they had sparse funds to refurbish so it's bare essentials, exposed beams and a plush toilet. we chose this place because we can play music loud.
nudedesignstudio.com.au
2009-09-23 08:36:20
Without a a doubt VERY important. As an office design & build company we spend a great deal of time on site and meeting clients.
We are currently working out of town (London being the town). After some fairly simple maths, counting up the amount of time every member of our team spent travelling to our sites and meeting clients, it added up to something crazy like 8 days a week in total of travel time. Which is mental!
So, we are now moving to slap bang in the centre. Just off Regent St. This is right where we work on a regular basis = No brainer!
As an office fit-out company, we know how much things cost. And moving office to save travel money, travel time and the general sanity of your staff is far cheaper than actually moving!
But for those of you considering moving because you are fast out-growing your space... STOP!!! Have a look at the size of your desk first, spend money on decent furniture before thinking about moving office. If you still dont have enough space, then move, but DO NOT take your existing furniture with you. New furniture will fit better and cost less in the long run, as every over-sized desk takes up valuable square-footage. That pile of newspapers that you keep on the end of your desks will be costing your company a few thousand pounds (based on a 5-year lease).
That's enough from me.
2009-09-23 08:45:46
I work in a studio, but thats hardly where the work is done. The brief is posted on a site, the files are emailed & then is reviewed with screenshares and instant messaging. The physicality of workspace is becoming redundant, which can only be a good thing. Files can be accessed anywhere and changed, and if different versions exist in different locations, the project is more open and fluid.
If it counts as a workplace, networking sites are very valuable. For viewing work, discussing ideas and feeling connected in the community. This will perhaps be one constant in a future workplace, which can be anywhere, anytime, and in any form. Basically making the question 'where do you work?' somewhat irrelevant, more of a 'how do you prefer to work?' question.
2009-09-23 09:51:07
I am a Photographer and try to work from home ! I`m based about 7 miles outside London and am seriously considering renting a desk space in the Truman Building as being in a Creative environment and away from home distractions would benefit me on so many levels. I think it would be `good for the soul` ( and my marriage) to get up and go to a place of work where you can actually work, rather than surf the net, and maybe get things done. I find working from home demoralizing and you lose sight and feel out of touch with your real goals.
So stop procrastinating and just do it....... the worst thing to happen is that you`ll end up in your home office again !! But at least you tried !
2009-09-23 10:03:23
Open Is located in 2 sites. London & ......... Worcester.
Why Worcester?
I'm currently sat in the Worcester base so will tip-tap and describe my surroundings for you.
We are a spacious, converted, old boat house. My view in front of me in an open-plan office of creatives and account bod's peering deeply into Macbooks and Imacs, and further a field onlooking the big glass panel doors ia the canel, and The Ancor pub and all the residences from the local barges.
Stiletto and Steal are our favorite residence on the water - & seeing Bardge totty every morning helps ease us all into our day!
What a little summary hey!
Open Worcester is a great place to work - and an escape for our busy heads to come and get some chill out thinking time whilst we work!
KP
you can see a bit more about us on our site actually
http://www.theopenconsultancy.com
2009-09-23 12:41:40
Desk, in the living room. It almost seems normal.
2009-09-23 12:55:14
We have a spacious office which is good because we can invite other people in for meetings and catch ups without worrying it's too crowded. We also are part of a creative building where other projects are going on, which is great because you always have different people to ask opinions of. Havin worked in corporate offices and some mundane jobs, I love working with nice people, in a relaxed environment.
2009-09-23 14:05:50
Edinburgh screenWORKS - a newly launched coworking centre for digital media and film types.
10 Reasons to Love screenWORKS
1. It brings us all together > screenWORKS is an alternative to working in isolation. It brings people working in the screen and digital media industries together and gives a focus to what we do.
2. Pay as you go > 1 day or 1 month – pay just for the time you need. A professional workspace without the hassle of a lease.
3. It will help you find work
Be in the right place at the right time; find work and people to work with you.
4. It helps you connect and learn new things
We run regular events at screenWORKS. Come along, meet new people and share ideas. Fridays are Ping Pong Fridays or least the later afternoon bit anyway. Every Friday, we set up 4 Ping Pong tables at screenWORKS and embarrass ourselves, as members, potential members and the curious come along, grab a coffee, a beer, a bat (or it is a paddle?) and let battle commence. (no skills preferred)
5. It’s like a coffee shop just 1000 times better
Don’t get me wrong – I love working in coffee shops … until my battery runs out, I’m forced to buy 7 coffees and I keep having to bring all my stuff with me every time I want to pee.
6. It gives you back your evenings* (if you’re missing them)
Try a 9-5 lifestyle. Say goodbye to late starts and working late into the night when you know you’d rather be in the pub. Get up when your flatmates do and prove to them that you have a real job.
7. You get FREE tea, coffee and biscuits
We stock fairtrade tea and coffee and the biscuit tin is topped up daily so you have nothing to think about except for how you’re going to win your first BAFTA
8. You get to decorate your own gym style locker
Where else do you get to relive you schooldays and decorate your locker with your favourite boy band stickers. There’s even a gym across the road if you wanna work up a sweat.
9. It’s your home from home
And theres a chair-bed for when you just can’t bring yourself to leave.
10. You make it what it is
As a non profit project screenWORKS exists for it’s members. Got an idea on how to make it better? Want to run an event or host a regular group. It’s there for you to make it what it is.
http://edinburghscreenworks.co.uk/
2009-09-23 14:59:37
I'm in Beijing, my work (video editing and some design) is done from home - I have a wee office on the upper floor in my house but because my laptop is my only computer, I sometimes take it downstairs to watch films in bed and then I can;t be bothered hauling it upstairs again so for a few days I'll do some work on the dining room table and then when it gets annoying I'll go back up to my proper office space - and then the whole cycle will start again :)
If I had a second leisure-time laptop I'd do all my work in my office, the fact that it's on a different floor to my bedroom does make a difference and having a separate room altogether is great, helps to get my mind in the right place for work and helps me switch off when I leave - working from home is great if I have a deadline because I can work til 2am - but then it's dreadful too because I end up working til 2am!
2009-09-23 15:17:12
This site may appeal to you all also
http://www.artistsarea.co.uk/
Nice to see how others work.
2009-09-23 15:18:34
I work in a small office station with a corporate computer service company, a DoD contractor, Lawyer office and insurance company. I am the graphic designer at a print shop. So I am not super creative everyday but I mainly fix files at the moment.
2009-09-23 15:40:50
Hiya,
We are based in Dublin, ireland and we converted our front of house into an art galley for all our clients and the public alike - it's the best thing for our business we've ever done! We've had Ronnie Wood, Pattie Boyd, Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue and lot's of cool stuff....we just converted part of it into The James Rizzi Room...have a goo....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gallerynumberone/sets/72157622274929265/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gallerynumberone/sets/72157607290520823/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gallerynumberone/sets/72157604339475916/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gallerynumberone/sets/72157605987194322/
Thanks!
2009-09-23 15:42:40
I work for a creative communication agency and we've just moved to a new office overlooking Oxford Street, London. It's the building designed by Future Systems, just near Oxford Circus.
We can now watch the multitudes of shoppers run around in the autumn sun from the quiet calm, air conditioned space above. Very nice.
2009-09-23 16:56:51
My time is spent either out on location or infront of the computer screen. I've got an office at home and a desk in Paddington. At home I've got a view of the garden and can pluck anyone of the 3 varieties of juicy tomatoes that are growing mad (although most of the time the black out blinds are down for post production!). It's good to get out though, in Paddington I can work and talk with different types of creatives (CG artists) and exchange ideas. My projects and commissions are either quite solitary or with a few people and are all over the place, so the mind never gets stale!
2009-09-23 17:03:12
Multi story grey desks, Richard Sapper- Tizio desk lamps, wassily chairs , the smell of overburnt Apple Macs, branded mugs and bottled water all housed in the concave that is Imagination.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=store%20st&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl
I would prefere smaller studio's instead of offices, I would also prefer a more liberal approach to the studio, sporadic desks and positioning, instead of secretarial rows.
Beautiful main hall.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gaynoir/2942068996/in/set-72157621713969107/
2009-09-23 17:15:38
I'm a recent graduate just setting up my new studio, Ben International, in The Middle of Nowhere, darkest Wiltshire. Priority one was to create a quality nameplate to announce my presence to the other workers in the open plan studio where I rent desk space:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26521834@N07/3948188788/
It's lovely and airy and bright and there's a lovely little dog called Roger running around. Very important for moral.
http://www.glovefactorystudios.com/
Please note the local rag, 'Holt Magazine'. Printed by the village elders on an accidentally hip paperstock.
Ben Hamilton-Chambers
2009-09-23 17:21:22
Home office for the last year, great place to work with a big screen when I get into some serious editing and design. However I probably spend more time with my macbook pro as my office on the move whether its coffee shops, hotels or aeroplanes.
Interesting reading blog posts on taking space in a creative hub. Been weighing up taking a desk a few days a week to keep the interaction and collaborations up to when I used to work in agencies.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashpollak/3948185952/in/pool-1202248@N24
2009-09-23 17:24:20
We all work in a collaborative coworking space in the Bedfordshire countryside called FunkBunk.
FunkBunk is part of a converted Women's Auxiliary Airforce base and we set it up to give designers, writers and creatives of all shapes and sizes a place to work other than the back room of their houses.
FunkBunk has now been running a year and as well as our open plan studio for 15 people we have an art gallery / installation space that is becoming a real inspiration zone.
Loads of pics of the place at http://www.funkbunk.com
2009-09-23 17:27:04
I'm a photographic artist working in 2 at-home offices - one is San Francisco and one on Cape Cod. I'm either photographing for a job or personal projects or at home in front of the computer. Summers on Cape Cod and winters in San Francisco.
2009-09-23 17:27:50
We're in a pretty cool converted stable block in the wilds of North Essex (it's not all like Basildon). It's in the grounds of a manor house so the drive up looks pretty impressive to the clients. It's a nice, relaxing place as it goes, room to play frisbee outside or sit by the lake in the summer, table football and Wii inside for those colder days. There's also a decent nine-hole golf course in the grounds so you can walk over and have a round (time permitting, which it hasn't for months unfortunately). Here's the exterior:
http://www.frontmedia.co.uk/images/bp/bp-across-the-lake.jpg
Offices here:
http://www.braxtedparkofficespace.co.uk/floorplans.cfm (we're in no.5)
2009-09-23 17:30:07
It's a bit like http://www.wherewedowhatwedo.com/
2009-09-23 17:30:23
squalor, analogue and colour coding
-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42529030@N04/3947485859/
2009-09-23 17:48:36
I'm a designer working at home :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stasus/3769699955/
2009-09-23 19:18:00
for ma workspace http://www.louisetepoele.com
2009-09-23 19:19:47
I'm a student currently studying at the University of Salford. Level 2. BA Graphic Design fantastic course full of creative individuals and fantastic staff.
http://www.jamieleung.tumblr.com
http://www.twitter.com/jamieleung
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieleung
2009-09-23 23:07:39
For the past two years Perth, Western Australia. The sun shines more, the beer flows and people really are just cruisey, can't say it's as 'energetic' as London, but it's definitely less stressful!
2009-09-24 06:43:34
I work in Marlow, a picturesque little town on the River Thames, 40 minutes from London and 20 minutes from Heathrow. Our building is a nice example of Palladian architecture, built in 1772 and accredited by the National Trust - the kind of place where if you find a quiet room you can quite happily slip into feeling like 'Lady of the Manor' for half an hour, with the double height spaces, winding stairways and chandeliers.
2009-09-24 10:38:28
We work from a modern Urban Splash building next to Manchester City Centre and the Northern Quarter - with great views over the surrounding counties. Bliss....
2009-09-24 11:19:23
I have always loved it when designers send in a picture of their setup/work area. Its always interesting to see how other people work and what equipment they use.
2009-09-24 11:46:29
Hello, Im the Creative Director for THECUBE. We cover a specific niche, there are many workspace, where creatives can create their work, however not many focus on the commercial side. I.E. what happens if you need to meet a client and dont want them in your workspace, or if you want a place to work on the business side of your creativity.
We have kept with what we think is the creative aesthetic. we cant decide to stay white cube or sprinkle the work of our members...maybe we will do a rotation.
2009-09-24 14:46:24
I have studio within Perseverance Works ( http://www.perseveranceworks.co.uk/ ) which is a collection of buildings bursting with photographers, designers, architects, cabinet makers - all sorts of creative professions. It's in the Shoreditch / Hoxton area of East London so good for bars, cafe's, gallery's, art supplies etc, but I find myself getting jealous of the many people on here who are working in fabulous rural settings. Can we swap for a week please??
2009-09-24 15:04:31
I work in the center of the creative universe - Durham, NC, USA (http://bullcityblowout.com/).
srcomblog.wordpress.com
2009-09-24 15:53:11
I HATE MY OFFICE. IT SMELLS.
(Still love Mercy though.)
2009-09-24 16:11:55
Metalli Lindberg, Conegliano, NE Italy
We work out of a restored barn, part of an old villa on the outskirts of Conegliano, a small market town in the Veneto region and is surrounded by woodland. The view from the window is a panorama of the town and the surrounding hills with the PreAlpi mountains in the background.
Its location has never really been a problem - we are not far from a main road linking the major towns - plus most of our clients and suppliers are spread out over quite a large area. Being out of town the downside is that, to really get about, we're a bit dependent on cars as there are not many public transport services.
As for being more central, sure, towns and cities are an attraction for some but with most having historic centres getting around can be very restricted and there is the eternal problem of dealing with endless one way street systems, parking, receiving deliveries, etc. Outside here we have unlimited parking.
The area doesn't really have a creative hub or creative quarter, again most of our 'colleagues' are spread out or concentrated elsewhere in places like Padova, Mestre or Milan. How creative you are is really down to you and how much you can get out of a place. We (all) spend a great deal of our lives here in here so it's important that it also reflects a part of you, of also how you live, hopefully inspiring you, making you feel at ease with your work and the time you spend there.
All together we have 450sqm split into 2 areas which are all open plan. The entrance area is all open with a balcony area - here is our reception, the staircase leading up to the studio, meeting area and exhibition space and up on the balcony a library and an office space. Upstairs the studio area holds a small hut (with fully equiped kitchen), 2 more meeting spaces, 6 workstations, our archive and more bookshelves of magazines and references.
In general, there is order depending on whose desk you're at furniture-wise a mixture of styles - a bit of Magis, Herman Miller and some Ikea. There's varied work/projects on display - prototypes, samples, mock-ups moveable wall panels for works in progress and far too many books and magazines.
Images: http://bit.ly/IUapo
2009-09-24 16:37:01
I work in Atelier Works, a studio in Kentish Town, north London. The studio is based on the ground floor of a converted old piano factory, so it's pretty much an open plan and the 7 of us work on the same space, together with Smut, the studio's dog who likes to stretch herself by the sun that comes through the tall windows.
I moved to north London after I started to work here, so for me it's a 10-min walk journey to work, which is great. The area also has great services including Salvino's (an amazing Italian deli with great coffee), Flavours (a small delicatessen with nice lunch options and delicious cookies) and Bumble Bee (lots of nice organic stuff).
Lovely place to work, London, but being from Brazil I do miss the sun. Maybe as a suggestion for another week's question – how would your 'dream' work place be like? I can picture mine with a window overlooking the sea ... but that's another story.
2009-09-24 17:30:57
michbold, Viareggio, Italy
we are based a few step from the tirrenian sea just a few kilometers from Pisa and Lucca
here > http://www.bing.com/maps/?FORM=Z9LH2#JndoZXJlMT12aWErVmlyZ2lsaW8lMmMrMTgyK1ZpYXJlZ2dpbyZiYj01NC42NDg0MTI1MDIzMTY3JTdlMjUuODM5ODQzNzUlN2UzNC40ODg0NDc4Mzc4MDkzJTdlLTcuNDI2NzU3ODEyNQ==
from april to late october when the screensavers are on we are swimming
2009-09-24 17:33:14
New York City is a great place to be inspired, but it's also stifling to be a designer in this environment. Once you get your footing it's an incredible place to be, but feels nearly impossible to break into.
2009-09-24 19:17:24
In the small town of Knutsford in Cheshire. Although location has never been an issue for us, having actually moved here from London. Our clients remain both local and national.
2009-09-25 10:24:16
I don’t think people should be afraid of being proud of the region they work in. Having agencies working in London, by the sea, in the depths of the fens, in a village near Bolton, all leads to a diversity of ideas.
Clearly there are advantages of working in an area with other creative people/companies in terms of skills and idea sharing but equally there are draw backs and the potential for ideas to become homogenous is increased. We need ‘different’ if the creative industries are to thrive.
In any region if you look hard enough you will find like minded ‘creative’ people. Our agency ‘The District’ (http://www.thedistrict.co.uk), decided to empty our ‘meeting room’ to create ‘The Frontroom’ a gallery space which invites artists to take over the space for months at a time (www.frontroomcambridge.com). We have had designers and illustrators in there from Manchester, Sheffield, London, Berlin, and of course Cambridge. At the private views we always get a good 50-100 local creative people and the number seems to be growing as more people hear about it. It gives us a great chance to access talent we never knew existed and for creative people to meet up and see great work. There is great talent here - we just need to show them you don’t need to trundle off to London to have a creative life.
As for clients, well that is another story….
2009-09-25 11:08:00
Location is only important if you have clients who have not adapted to a more creative and free working environment and business style. Our little shop Wikman & Friends work out of Stockholm and yes we have an office. But more because we need to have a location where our equipment lives and where we can take our clients once in a while.
Wikman & Friends have clients in New York, Stockholm and Gothenburg. And location matters. With our digital life it's great and important to get face to face as much as possible. Even if we can just call or video conference in our clients in Gothenburg, we take the train down to visit as much as possible. Face to face communication is still the best way to build a long lasting relationship.
Location and where your office is only important if you don't have your own brand established. Then it's important to live up to whatever quality people link to a neighborhood, area or setting. Our firm is in that phase of growth where it's important for us to be in the city and in great looking office. It builds trust and communicates success. Production companies have found it successful to be outside the larger cities. Not all, but many. I think it comes down to what type of service you sell and at what stages of a project that service comes in.
I think the ideal studio location is where we all can find inspiration by rhythm, change, difference or just beauty. Mixed or not.
We sit in semi loft space. It's a large top floor apartment. Larger rooms with different designs. Open and fresh yet still relaxed and quiet when you need it. We sit in a building from 1910. The interior details are amazing.
2009-09-25 11:46:31
300million are just off the vibrant exmouth market with its cafe culture and abundant street eateries, the buzz and atmosphere of which keeps the brain ticking. Naturally the studio set up encourages everyone to be involved and influence projects. We all work in our own portable micro-studios, the layout and order of which vary day to day, from calm to chaos. The micro-studios are interconnectable with other team members allowing teams to grow or reduce in size as required by a project. They offer great storage for reference material and are really 'where the magic happens'. They offer time away from the Mac and the walls of the main studio which are always covered with ideas and inspiration. This interchangeable collaborative approach allows for flexibility of the team and benefits the final outcome of projects.
2009-09-25 13:10:47
thanks for posting my recent comment. Can you make Alun Shooter a link to http://www.thedistrict.co.uk - it may have been something I did wrong when I submitted. Very interesting debate by the way - I only really talked about location in a wider geographic context, I could drone on for hours about the actual studio space. in fact if I get a second I might.
cheers
Alun
2009-09-25 15:23:54
I work at a magazine in Biarritz, France. So location-wise, it's amazing. Everyone at the office/studio works in the same room, at their individual desks — designers, editors, PR, web developers and CEO all sharing the same space. The atmosphere is very relaxed and casual but everyone is still able to focus on their work. Things get a little messy and chaotic at times but it just adds to the fun environment. Work times are also relaxed — start work around 10ish and work through until about 6/7/8, depending on the work load. There's also a lot of socialising with colleagues outside of work, which all makes for an even better and friendlier day in the studio.
2009-09-25 15:53:23
Rose is branding and design agency. We are a classic British company with a modern twist.
We live in a Grade 2 listed schoolhouse set over four floors. It was originally built in 1613 on the south bank of the Thames. It is a unique building and suites us perfectly, with open fires in the winter and meetings in the garden in the summer.
We wanted to find something that was different to the classic design studio and reflected the way we like to work. So we set about looking for something that was very British and permeated craft. We eventually found what we were looking for by chance in an estate agent’s window.
Initially the property required some serious TLC as it is Grade 2 listed (bordering on Grade 1). This meant that everything we had to do needed to be in keeping. Specialist tradesmen had to be found to do the renovation work.
We wanted the building to reflect us so there is a combination of old and new finishings and fittings throughout the building.
The location is ideal for us. It’s between the City and the West End, which makes it central and accessible. We are also on one of the most beautiful stretches of the Thames.
Our clients and visitors love our studio. Being in a house seems to put everyone at ease.
2009-09-25 16:39:18
I don't work in a very inspiring part of London. It's not a creative quarter, infact quite the opposite. I work in Plaistow. I always feel pretty inspired and creative solely because of the working atmosphere and people I work with. Having said that if the area around my office was full beautiful fields, sun-kissed mountains, trees, rivers flowing, butterflies singing and all that.... my creativity would be quite nature inspired. The area around my work is a little rundown and generally a bit dead.... which probably inspires my gritty design work. Nice article.
P.S. anyone out there who want to relocate us to a glass cube in the middle of valley of mountains, that'll be fantastic?! anyone?
2009-09-25 16:40:56
Hi CR!
We are Sherpa. We work in a lovely old storefront converted to office use. Located in Tarkk'ampujankatu (sharpshooters street) in the old part of Helsinki, Finland. Being able to watch passers-by and test our ideas straight out of the window keeps us alert. One big desk ensures that everybody takes part on the design and thinking process. Simple and clean surroundings create a solid base for concentration a little bit like a clean white sheet of paper. Just add ideas to get going.
Say hi when in Finland!
Peace!
Lauri
2009-09-25 17:02:09
@ Lauri
Hi Sherpa!
Sounds cool - can you upload some pictures of your space to our Flickr pool please? It's at http://www.flickr.com/groups/1202248@N24/pool/page7/
thanks PatrickBurgoyne
2009-09-25 17:09:11
@ Patrick
Hi Patrick!
Cheers!
There we go.
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1202248@N24/pool/
Lauri
2009-09-26 18:28:19
Great new Flickr group guys, very interesting to see how other creatives work.
Here's my contribution: 'The Gate Design Group' - formerly 'Jordangate'.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amchu/sets/72157622464620036/
Thanks!
2009-09-27 14:39:10
we work on Millers Avenue in Dalston, a whole avenue of creativity that we run! Absorb Arts, a studio for fine artists and PRINT CLUB LONDON a silk screen printing studio for members. Our location is perfect for our members as its easy for our designers get quickly to a lot of the design agencies that are in east london and for them to get to us! Our annual Blisters exhibitions also take place on our avenue so theres always plenty of creatives around much like college, yet here we are all trying to make a living! The studios are kept tidy but the small items left lying around are often exciting new works but resident artists or pots of paint used during the night by one of our street artsits, its exciting thinking about what people have been doing here. My office is tiny, it used to be the head machinists room when our warehouse was a clothing factory. Our office only has two frames on the wall, weve limited ourselves! but we change the screenprint monthly and showcase new artworks of a print that just makes me smile. Providing local artists and illustrators with workspace and a platform for them to meet other designers, talk about their work, develop projects and grow as designers is incredibly important to us and from my office i can see and hear it all taking place.
2009-09-27 21:58:25
Sun, sea and beaches ahh...
Surprisingly, not so many guys here work in the tropical zone like me.
I'm now working in a renowned Advertising Agency in Bangkok, Thailand.
Reading CR postings for the past few years is my favorite moment of the day,
Being a Consultant (aka strategic planner) needs lots and lots of inspiration.
The company is located in the city's heart on the 14th fl. in one of the highest rise building here.
From the window in front of me is a great view of big green field of a golf club and on the right is the view of an extremely old but beautiful temple with monks walking around during the day.
I'll try to upload my everyday views soon.
Cheers!
2009-09-28 12:13:35
I've just uploaded my studio and office shot to the Flickr page. I'm a photographer and I work in a partially converted church in central Bristol. I have gables, lead glass windows and stone arches in the studio. My office has a oak beamed ceiling, stone buttesses, rough stone walls and small stained glass windows with arches. I find it an inspiring and creative enviroment to work in. I love it :)
All my clients love it here and you can't help but say 'wow' when you see it. Try it for yourself, if you are in the area drop by...
Amango Photo
2009-09-28 15:27:42
i work at home with a cup of coffee and the view of mountains!
2009-09-28 17:36:58
Our design studio is a former Victorian print works in the coastal town of Southwold in Suffolk. Not only are we a stone's throw from the beach but the studio is light and still retains most of its historic features. It’s rare to find a commercial space like this in seaside towns, so we feel lucky to have such a historic building as our studio.
We sit snugly next to Adnams Brewery. You can smell the hops on a muggy morning which depending on how you’re feeling can sometimes not be the of best things.
The studio is open plan which means you feel part of something even if you’re not directly involved. We’re able to brainstorm and chat without the restriction of walls and it also means you always know what’s going on in the office. Music is always playing from one of the designers and there is a constant buzz in the office as work is never stagnant.
The great thing about Spring is that we all share a sense of humour and interests. Sophie has a love of baking which we all benefit from. She makes amazing birthday cakes which now boast their own hall of fame in the office due to the complex designs such as Marmite jars, Marshal amps and cameras. Plus we all have an extensive knowledge of books, film and music so we’re never short of stuff to talk about when we’re out of the office.
Southwold’s a relatively small town but with a huge sense of community. Everyone knows one another, from the postman to the shopkeepers, and our favourite person of all: the butcher (who does an amazing sausage and bacon baguette and the delights of Monday and Wednesday's butter buns).
The close proximity to the beach means that we’re never short of inspiration. And during the summer we love fish and chips and a dip in the sea at lunch before we come back to the office, which has its own shower in case you get too sandy.
Our MD Erika rents a beach hut on the prom, which is great for sheltering in the winter months and ideal for in house meetings.
There’s also the pier and skate park which is perfect for our international pro-skateboarder Glen.
The best bit about our office is when clients come to see us. It’s brilliant to see their reaction to our studio and its location and it makes us appreciate just how lucky we are.
It’s not hard coming to work in the morning when you get to work in a London agency by the coast.
2009-09-29 11:26:04
Life is getting more virtual and our work is largely online but we still believe in the importance of physical presence and face-to-face interaction. While we're not obsessed with sitting in official "creative quarters" we have chosen the three main cities where we work because of the great mix of creative inspiration they each provide, and not least because of the energy generated by the other creatives who live and work there.
Our offices are located in Stureplan (Stockholm), The Jordaan (Amsterdam) and Chelsea (Manhattan). All three are beautiful and central neighborhoods but we wouldn't necessarily say that any of them have the media-quarters status of London's Soho for example. As far as our offices, the uniting principle is openness. All three offices are designed on an open plan, and at least in Stockholm and Amsterdam we sit in buildings housing several other creative companies. Openness has its advantages, but it's not without its downsides. As we've grown in Stockholm we've noticed more people having issues with the noise level. We've recently started searching for new, larger offices and in that search a wider variety of separate areas for different activities is a priority.
2009-09-29 15:08:16
Volume moved offices at the beginning of September fully confirming the transformation of Volume from a local marketing communications agency to the creative and technology hybrid that it is today, supporting global, leading organisations.
The Volume Digital Campus has been built from scratch and has a funky yet professional dynamic with its own purpose-designed digital theatre, digital photo studio, 5 meeting rooms, a boardroom, an ideation area for creative and technology, a touchdown WiFi area for our clients to use as well as our very own Volume café.
The creative studio now sits with our client services and technology teams which helps the teams work seamlessly together bouncing creative ideas of each other. By merging all the Volume teams into one open plan office, we have created a huge energy and vibrant dynamic that hits you when you first step in.
Our new building has had such a positive effect on us as a company as not only are we not in each other’s pockets now and have time to breathe, we can also draw inspiration from the surroundings themselves as they are everything that you’d envisage a modern day creative, digital agency to look like.
Our new HQ is based in Wokingham, sealed off from the world in our own rural surroundings allowing Volume to live in their own creative bubble.
Take a look at the photos in the Creative Review – Creative Studios Flickr group to see for yourself or contact us if you’d like your very own, grand tour ….
Katie Colbourne
katie.colbourne@volume.co.uk
http://www.volume.co.uk
@Volume Group
2009-09-29 17:40:18
Our office (interactive design company magneticNorth) is based in an old Victorian mill building in Manchester city centre. Somewhat ironically for a digital company our address is 101. We are about a five-minute walk from the old Factory Records office, three minutes from the city’s oldest gay bar and about six minutes from a sandwich shop where they call all the customers either sir or madam when taking their bacon butty order.
Set up in 2000 we have never felt the need to be in London or be around other creative agencies in our own city. Whilst we respect and are good pals with other companies we don’t feel the need to be grouped in an area or street with them. We like our own space.
That space includes what we believe to be the slowest lift in the world.
You will find the majority of creative companies based around the Northern Quarter in Manchester. Chock full of cafes, bars, art galleries – its like a less pretentious and well, more Mancunian East London. In the last few years it has seen some really uncreative shops open up. People who want to be there because they think ‘they should be’ and for us it is killing any of the vibe that was there.
That said the city is still highly creative with some really exciting, daring people doing cool stuff - there aren’t many though and we increasingly find ourselves looking to the South and to the USA and the Nordics for talent.
It would be interesting to see how your piece addresses the North / South divide in the UK. Do people still think they need to be in the ‘big smoke’ to work on big brands? Especially new, fresh keen uns. Not a new debate at all but one that affects people companies like mN. People who don’t believe that geography should ever limit your ambition or scope. We feel digital is the one medium where you should be able to work anywhere that gives you the quality of life and inspiration you need to think.
Our client portfolio includes the Tate, Diesel, Sony Music and the BBC in addition to ‘home grown’ brands like Kellogg’s and MCFC - tangible proof that quality creative output will bring you interesting brands and people to play with – wherever you are.
As for the office, we have a big open plan space on the top floor, full of robots, a working library (which is open to any friend of mN to lend from) and a themed biscuit tin (don’t ask). These are things that loads of people agencies will have, and likely bigger and with better biscuits but for us its about filling the room with bright, nice people who get what we do and why we do it here in Manchester.
http://www.mnatwork.com
2009-09-30 10:19:59
A room with a view. The year before last we moved over to a large 'corporate' office block in Waterloo from a beautiful little mews over at Edgware Road. It was a big change for us in not only area but type of building environment too. There was much trepidation about the new choice of office not least the dodgy 70's looking reception and what seems the longest, brightly lit, whitewashed corridors you've ever seen. But finally what swung the decision to go for it was the amazing views of the London Eye and the Thames beyond.
It's the first time I personally have ever actually had any type of view worth talking about in all the studios I've worked in over the years and I can highly recommend it. You're usually in a basement looking out onto a moss riden brick wall while the best space is saved for the client meeting rooms. The effect on the studio of having windows all along one side has been great. Any moment of creative consternation can be helped along by simply seeing that yes, there is a world out there. Not to mention some of the stunning sunsets we get over London which previously we never saw.
The reaction of clients has also been very pleasing too (once we get them past Dave the doormen). There's now something to chat about, and gaze at, at those awkward moments when the pdf won't open. And of course we've taken most of them now onto the Eye itself.
I've uploaded a few shots under Smith&Milton so see our view for yourself
2009-09-30 11:19:08
Open space is essential...
Our high ceilings, tall windows and open plan working is what I imagine running though a field naked would be like! Having no spacial boundaries or obstacles simply fuels creative freedom and open-dialogue amongst the team.
Music in the background also helps
2009-10-09 14:01:51
We have a great space in a 'trendy' part of town, but the space is far more important than the location.
And it’s who you work with that matters. An interesting mix of people who are up for sharing ideas, thoughts and experiences is what makes an office fun and a place you want to go to.
2009-10-09 14:03:55
We are fortunate to be located in the heart of East London, a stones throw from the creative hub of Brick lane, and Hoxton. There are numerous exhibitions and events in the area to engage and inspire, as well as funky watering holes...all of which are certainly a great benefit.
Our studio space is open plan, light and airy, and we have the option of working at our desks or moving away from the computer screen to a quieter comfy area. The flexibility of space is a great bonus - we have a fantastic mezzanine area, and lots of wall space to act as a gallery of current projects, giving everybody a chance to offer an opinion. It certainly helps to come into a refreshing space everyday, but personally the key for me to working in a communications industry is the team you work with.
Having a great team to share ideas, beers, inspire, support, encourage, teach and more often than not to humour each other is vital to creating an uplifting and inspiring atmosphere, which in turn fosters creativity and great work!
http://www.living-group.com
2009-10-09 14:14:19
http://flickr.com/mono-1
mono
minneapolis, usa
designed by charlie lazor and chris lange with the creative inspiration of "simplicity." The agency seating surrounds the heart of the agency walls where work is concepted. With clients Apple, Herman Miller and Blu Dot, it is no surprise this space is fostered for creativity.
2009-10-28 20:40:39
Good to see other leicester designers on here :-)
I work from both a home studio and an office situated in Leicester city centre, making the best of both worlds. I originally tried to get a space at the LCB having worked for another company there in the past, its a nice place with a good atmosphere.
They also have the facility to hold small exhibitions which always get a good turn out as they are in the perfect location. I held an exhibition there called Inkthis which you guys featured in an issue back in 2007/08.
I'm currently looking for a new office in central Leicester, if anyone has a space available get in touch. It needs to be a nice space as I like to keep things clean and tidy for client meetings. Cheers, Brett
2009-11-02 13:55:20
A brand new studio in beautiful Henley in Arden, just a mile away from home!
2010-06-30 00:44:07
i work at home with a cup of coffee and the view of mountains!
2010-09-02 22:10:19
I'm currently working form Home in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire.
2010-09-08 16:20:00
Home is ideal for the freelancer! The only problem is meetings normally involve buying lunch, which in Cheltenham, UK can be an expensive business!
2010-10-18 16:19:09
A wonderful converted Victorian town house. Leather sofas, fire place, home from home. I even take the dog to work, he sleeps in front of the fire all day. There's no better environment than those you can relax in a creative agency should have a homely feel in my opinion. Ooohh! tea and hobnobs.
2010-11-09 20:26:26
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