All Articles Tagged "design"
Work It! Does Your Office Design Work For You Or Against You?
Welcome to the “Work It!” column, where we take a look at business innovation of every kind.
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When we think of the workplace, the cubicle is probably the most common template that comes to mind: high walls that block us off from world, lit by fluorescent lighting, surrounding us in neutral colors. Forward-thinking companies are changing the way they approach the spaces that surround their employees.
Innovation is accepted as the key to an organization’s growth and business minds are paying more attention to the link between environment and creativity. Human creativity, the heart of innovation, just isn’t cultivated in the cubicle. Even the creator of the cubicle, Robert Propst, admitted at the end of his life that his invention was “monolithic insanity.” Research shows that we need to collaborate to mix ideas and come up with new insights and ways of thinking.
Organizations looking to update their offices are creating open floor plans that democratize the seating chart, placing executives in wall-less offices just a few paces away from the new intern. The arrival of millennials in the workplace is also causing a shift toward spaces that encourage socializing. Other trends include:
- Themed Areas - Work zones or neighborhoods that are set aside for tasks like special projects and brainstorming. Having a designated area for innovation helps get employees away from their desks and in a creative mindset.
- Windows and Lighting - The only thing windowless rooms glowing with white fluorescent lights inspire is thoughts of escape. It may be cost-effective, but companies are turning away from this dull design for warmer lighting and floor to ceiling views.
- Communication and Technology - Communication is vital to the sharing and creating ideas. In addition to creating spaces and opportunities for departments to mingle with another, firms are clearing out the cords and integrating wireless technology into desks and workstations.
Of course there are downsides to this take on workplace design, particularly open floor plans. Workers have voiced displeasure with the decrease in privacy and the increase in noise associated with the change. What fosters innovation for one company’s office may not work for another.
Whether you’re redesigning an entire office or just your work area, a successful redesign requires first figuring out how you use the space. Then think about what equipment you use most often, and what business activities take place in that space. From there you can figure out the best arrangement to meet your needs. Here are some tips for creating a space that helps you do your best work:
- Establish Activity Center – Take a cue from the work neighborhoods trend and set up various activity centers for your most common tasks. A reading area that is separate from where you work on your computer can help you focus on the task at hand.
- Bring in Some Color - Bright colors keep us awake while darker colors offer a different, more relaxed stimulant for our creativity. Pick colors that attract your attention and inspire you.
- Cater to You - Do you need a blank canvas with no distractions or something stimulating to motivate you? Design your space with your work style in mind. Don’t forget to surround yourself with work and words that inspire you.
- Embrace Nature - Natural lighting and greenery will ward off any feelings of claustrophobia that creep in after a long project.
- Clear Out Clutter - Use creative storage to make the most of a small space.
- Make Space to Create and Communicate – Chalkboards, white boards, and wall calendars are great tools that allow you to jot down ideas, or let family and coworkers communicate with you without disturbing your flow.
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C. Cleveland covers professional development topics and entrepreneurial rebels who blaze their own career paths. She explores these stories and more on The Red Read, Twitter (@CleveInTheCity) and Facebook (/MyReadIsRed).
Better To Give Than To Receive: Designer Rachel Roy Talks About Giving Back
C. Smith/WENN
From ESSENCE
Inspired by a recent trip to India, designer Rachel Roy recently celebrated her 39th birthday with a mission of giving, instead of receiving gifts. Roy has partnered with the charity: water campaign to raise $20,000 to give 1,000 people clean water in India. “Water changes everything. Diseases from unsafe water kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war,” explains Roy.
On What She Observed During Her Trip To India
This is my fourth year working with charity:water actually! I heard about them around the time of my 35th birthday and what I love most about charity:water is how simple they make the act of charitable giving. There are no rules or expectations, and you can donate as much as you feel comfortable giving.
During this time however, and through seeing how the dollars have been spent, I’m reminded just how essential clean water is in setting up a foundation for everything else in life. In a developing community, clean water is the most important commodity, and it’s such an easy gift for us to give.
On What We All Can Do To Give Back
I think it’s always best to start on a local level. You’ll know what needs attention and how to make the biggest change in your own community. A fantastic resource and a great place to start is Volunteers of America. It’s a nationwide database of all sorts of organizations that could use an extra pair of hands. It’s as simple as putting in your zip code to see what non-profits are active in your area.
Check out what else Rachel has to say on giving back as well as her goals for 2013 over on Essence.
Do you have time to volunteer?
“Home Savvy” Episode 1 – Creating A Container Garden
Welcome to Madame Noire’s new home improvement show, Home Savvy. In this series we’ll share insightful tips and creative ideas for sprucing up any living space. Home improvement, your way.
In this “Get It Done” episode you’ll learn how to create a beautiful container garden that will instantly enhance your outdoor living space. Creating a container garden is a quick weekend project that also makes the perfect gift. Besides, you can never go wrong with presenting that special person with a gorgeous arrangement of flowers.
Be sure to watch Home Savvy host Suzanne Rust as she demonstrates with Home Depot Associate Shenell Leighton how simple and easy it is to create your own container garden.
MATERIALS USED IN THIS EPISODE:
HERE’S HOW TO DO THIS PROJECT:
Fill pot mid-way with soil.
Install your filler, while loosening the roots.
Begin filling container with potting mix.
Add Thrillers.
Add Spillers.
Add more spillers and thrillers as needed. You now have a gorgeous container garden.
MEET THE CAST:
WANT MORE HOME SAVVY? WATCH THESE EPISODES:
SEASON 2
- Episode 1: How to Install a Bathroom Vanity
- Episode 2: How to Install a Bathroom Faucet
- Episode 3: How to Save Money on Your Home Energy Bills
- Episode 4: Home Decor Tips
- Episode 5: How To Decorate For The Holidays
SEASON 1
Koshie O Creator Nina Baksmaty On Her Hasty Climb and Pushing African Fashion
By Makula Dunbar
It’s Friday night in Maryland. Instead of getting ready to attend a party of some sort, Nina Baksmaty, 30, is packing to attend what will be one of her most eventful shindigs yet. Invited by the guest of honor and editor-in-chief of VOGUE Italia, Franca Sozzani — Baksmaty will showcase her line, Koshie O to the Italian Ambassador in New York.
Even before the official 2011 launch of Koshie O, Baksmaty began gaining unexpected attention. Aside from Italy’s fashion leaders, Koshie O was and is most appreciated in Ghana, the place where it all started.
“I went to a market and picked up this beautiful fabric. I made an easy-flow outfit; ready to wear. I was only in Ghana for 30 days so I wanted to make something where the fitting wouldn’t be difficult,” said Baksmaty recalling the first Koshie O item she ever created.
While in school, Baksmaty often wore clothes that she made — as well as designs made and sent by her mother from Ghana. Already a world traveler, she knew at 20 years old that pursuing an education in the United States would be the best way for her to excel professionally. In 2002, she came to the U.S. permanently, and now only visits Ghana during the holidays.
After graduating from Missouri’s Westminster College with a degree in Biology, Baksmaty discovered — through an unfulfilling pharmaceutical internship — that she wanted to pursue fashion seriously. Originally born in Ghana, where her mother was a designer who participated in runway shows, Baksmaty says just recently she realized she was destined to be a designer.
“I’ve always liked fashion, this was one of those things that I feel was meant to be when I look back at my history and background. My grandfather was a prominent tailor who migrated from Lebanon to Africa. My mother was a top-notch seamstress and designer and recently I found out I was named after Nina Ricci the Italian designer,” Baksmaty said.
With two brothers living on the East coast, Baksmaty traveled between New York and Missouri while at Westminster. Around 2008, she began making sales — the first to a woman in Maryland. Ever since, Koshie O has continued to blossom.
“I started to trade and that’s when I realized how good I was at marketing and branding. It was a turning point in my life, because before I wanted to go to Pharmacy school,” she said.
Kanye’s Moving to London to Watch the Fashion Throne
I guess we’ll have to watch the throne long distance because Kanye West has packed his Louis Vuitton bags and is planning a move to London to seriously pursue his fashion career.
Earlier this year, Ye debuted his women’s clothing line during Paris Fashion Week but despite the praise he receives for his own sense of style, the response to his ladies apparel was less than exciting. It makes sense for him to immerse himself in one of the biggest fashion capitals if he wants to be taken seriously, but some fans are already concerned about what the move from LA will mean for his music career.
Not to worry, Big Sean says the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album expected in Spring 2012 will be finished overseas and still released on time. Sounds like the team has a plan, let’s see how all this works out.
Do you think Kanye has a chance of becoming a serious force in the women’s fashion industry?
Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.
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Spike Lee Wants You To Drink The Right Thing: Absolut Brooklyn
(New York Daily News) — SPIKE LEE WANTS you to drink the right thing.The Brooklyn-raised director helped design the bottle for Absolut‘s new, limited-edition spirit, Absolut Brooklyn “We have a long history of collaborating with creative visionaries, and nobody says Brooklyn more than Spike,” said Sarah Bessette, spokeswoman for the vodka maker. The 1-liter bottle features a brownstone with the number from Lee’s childhood home in Cobble Hill, 165, on the building’s front door.The vodka is flavored with notes of red apple – an homage to the Big Apple – and ginger.
Spike Lee Wants You To Drink The Right Thing: Absolut Brooklyn
(New York Daily News) — SPIKE LEE WANTS you to drink the right thing.The Brooklyn-raised director helped design the bottle for Absolut‘s new, limited-edition spirit, Absolut Brooklyn “We have a long history of collaborating with creative visionaries, and nobody says Brooklyn more than Spike,” said Sarah Bessette, spokeswoman for the vodka maker. The 1-liter bottle features a brownstone with the number from Lee’s childhood home in Cobble Hill, 165, on the building’s front door.The vodka is flavored with notes of red apple – an homage to the Big Apple – and ginger.
