When the office has a customized touch, it helps employees create a stronger, more meaningful connection to the workplace. It also fosters an atmosphere that attracts people to the office. In this month’s design news aggregate, we explore two key considerations in developing environments that inspire and engage today’s employees: personalization and thoughtful branding.
An article in Harvard Business Review recently stated that “we live in an increasingly personalized society,” and employers are making shifts to accommodate that desire. Some companies are allowing employees to write their own job descriptions. From tailoring the position to encouraging creative expression in the physical workspace, top companies recognize that a one-size-fits-all strategy is no longer the best approach. BDC Network adds to this viewpoint, highlighting personalization as a core strategy for companies to promote innovation.
Technology advancements also cater to this shift – Tech Republic, for example, notes that Amazon has announced new capabilities for the Alexa assistant, allowing for voice differentiation and better customization of the work experience. Moreover, with recent technology, one Amsterdam office building can change temperature and lighting settings based on staff preferences. Metropolis Magazine, meanwhile, discusses how architects and designers are studying workplaces in real time – using internet-connected furniture and other smart site elements to make strategic, data-based recommendations.
Bisnow shares that employee opinions are more important than ever in the office design process. Both employee input and careful consideration from architects and designers are needed to create for spaces that truly resonate with and support knowledge workers.
The development of thoughtfully-branded workplaces is closely associated with the movement toward personalization. Beyond allowing employees to have creative freedom in the office, architects and designers can develop settings that feel distinctively tailored to the organization.
Hospitality Design lists several well-thought-out, cohesive offices, including Bombas, who commissioned Float Design Studio to create an environment that embodied the company’s “laidback and vibrant style.” The resulting aesthetic, with deliberate pops of yellow that celebrate the organization’s bee logo, is uplifting, light and airy.
Work Design Magazine features the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) headquarters in Kansas City, with elements that surround the “Story of Milk.” With milk as the central focus, the color white is incorporated throughout the building – with custom wall textures and other unique, authentic details – including a 29-foot-tall milk sculpture.
Rejournals highlights that millennials, more than other generations, search for companies that foster a culture in line with their own values – and a uniquely-branded workplace can be a significant part of this experience.
A personalized touch and strategic branding is an effective way to help employees connect with the modern workplace. Employees are seeking spaces that evoke a sense of place and personal connection, and architects and designers can respond to this need by creating customized furniture solutions and settings.
For even more information on personalizing the office through color, explore our new color palette and Coalesse Color program. To explore personalization through innovative materials, read our blog here.
