Things I found about IDEO…
(copied from archrecord.construction.com)
Cultivating an environment in which there is a swift and easy exchange of ideas is an important part of the design process in many firms, both large and small. What may not be so obvious are strategies to foster optimal functioning and creative thinking in such an environment.
Likewise, failure is critical to the design process—assuming the group learns from the failure—because, typically, many bad ideas must be generated to produce a terrific one. Even the bad ideas can illuminate a problem and serve as a creative trigger to its solution. IDEO, the renowned Palo Alto, California, innovation and design firm, has a saying: “Fail often to succeed sooner.”
The physical environment of an office can reflect and influence its culture. Ryan asserts something as simple as a big open space—no special offices, no closed doors, and no cubicles—promotes an atmosphere of shared experience, mutual respect, and casual (and nonhierarchical) exchange. For example, an impromptu gathering around someone’s computer is common when they have discovered something of architectural interest or “to kick ideas around.” EDI, like IDEO, also places a premium on humor and playfulness—whether it’s a nickname for a principal or their computers spewing quotes from cartoons when new e-mail is detected—to relieve stress and encourage whacky thinking. IDEO even has a wing of an old DC-3 cantilevered over a meeting room.
(Copied from ideo.com)
At IDEO, we believe in the power of play. It is an essential part of our approach: We use playfulness to design fun, inspiring experiences for kids (toys, games, and digital entertainment) and to bring elements of delight to more “serious” experiences for adults (cars, food, health, finance, and more). The latter may even include developing new methods for the workplace, such as helping clients boost the creativity of their innovation processes.
(copied from guerilla-art.wikidot.com)
The company IDEO is the embodiment of a creative work environment. The structure of the company, as well as the environment has helped to produce a very large number of varying innovations. Specifically, the company encourages the use of portable furniture. This encourages employees to travel around the office and compare ideas with other employees. It makes it very easy to share and pass on ideas. The company also heavily relies on collaborative brainstorming. Take the shopping cart example, from the video in class. Each employee was given an area to research. At the end of the first day they came back with their ideas. Rough sketches and ideas were produced and then reviewed by the rest of the team. Favorites were chosen by placing a post-it note on the picture itself. When it was said and done, the favorites became the building blocks for the prototype. The team worked together to compile the popular ideas, and decide how best they could be utilized. There were several rounds of discussion and debate- in the end, a final decision was made (so that production could begin). By the end of one week, the company had designed an innovative grocery cart that stores wanted to use.\
10 seriously cool places to work.
Things I found about working at Google
Google is the poster child of cool and creative working environments. Here are some images.
(copied from ezinearticles.com)
Google appears as a top contender for most features, including unusual perks, cafeterias, health cover and work environment.
Standard perks that Google offers include 100% health care coverage and onsite childcare facilities. In addition, new moms are entitled to 18 weeks of paid maternity leave while dads get 7 weeks. Some perks that aren’t quite standard include 17 cafeterias that offer free food to all employees.
The rule at Google is that no staff member should ever be further away than 100 feet from a source of food. That doesn’t mean that they only have access to vending machines with junk food, or that the cafeterias give out quick, easy and grease-laden meals. Chefs of the highest calibre prepare range of meals, with unique variations on everyday meals. Macaroni and cheese, for instance, comes with wild mushrooms and truffles.
They also have a keen interest in environmental conservation and have a department dedicated to researching “green” technologies. Google makes every effort to be as energy efficient as possible, which is a mind-set that is encouraged in their employees. In the spirit of energy conservation, they subsidise staff members who buy hybrid or electric cars to the tune of $1000. Employees based in California are entitled to special discounts if they install solar panels in their homes.
Google is also fairly unique in that they have a policy that allows ardent animal lovers to bring their cherished pets to work. The obvious proviso is that the various dogs, cats, and assorted others must be reasonably well behaved and house trained. It’s been reported in The Inquirer, UK, that the pet’s policy is under revision, after a pet python that was not very well behaved created chaos and terror in the New York branch.
Things I found about working for Red Bull
Slick carbon slide in the Red Bull office in London Jump-Studios has created a dynamic interactive space pumped full of adrenaline in this 3 floor escapade for employees of Red Bull filled with stimulating features and activities for everyone to experience!
“The stunning interior generates adrenalin and a sense of dynamic excitement, emotions associated with the Red Bull brand and its various activities.”
