Creative Workplaces
Your workplace and the atmosphere surrounding you determine the way you work and explore your imagination. The more inspirational your workplace is, the easier it is to break the creativity block and discover new ideas. And apparently there is a number of things you can do to improve your personal workflow.
As a part of our Monday Inspiration series we present a dozen of creative and unusual workplaces; in the end of the post you’ll also find references to related resources, among them office design galleries and Flickr pools. They can serve as an inspiration once you’ve decided to spice up your work environment.
You can also click on the images — they lead to the sites from which the screenshots have been taken.
Inspirational Workplaces
The Milk desk: a design to match Apple gear; with white surface and rounded edges. As Alexander Kjerulf states, “it lowers and raises electrically, it has ways to hide the cable clutter, and it also has four compartments at one end that can be configured for storage, trash or, em, as an aquarium.”
Pixar’s workplace: designers are allowed to design their workplace as they wish.
Google offers its engineers and developers full freedom. Not only bicycles can be found in the offices; also cats and dogs are quite usual.
References and Further Resources
- Flickr Pool: Inspiring Workplaces
- Pimp Your Office Flickrset
Some cool ways to spruce up your office environment. - Creative Work Environments
- Office Design Gallery
Inspiration from the best of office design. - On My Desk
Artists, illustrators, designers and creative folk share the stuff on their desks. - 10 Seeriously Cool Workplaces
- 12 Ways To Pimp Your Office
Here are some ways to spruce up a workplace that may actually inject some color and fun into your work environment. - Creativity in the workplace
Veerle Pieters discusses ways how to decorate your personal space and improve your workflow. - Cool Workspaces
An overview of ways people decorate their workplaces: some good, some bad, some cluttered, some clean.
Robert
December 10th, 2007 5:03 pmthat was so awesome!
Sumesh
December 10th, 2007 5:05 pmQuite the list, eh? A lot of beautiful pics in there, but some are crap. Did you really have to sacrifice quality for quantity? Like, #2 and #10 was really crap.
Linkbait is best left to SM, as they say!
I see you are upto 3diggs in a matter of minutes, now. Only problem is, Diggers aren’t active at nighttime at US.
Too bad ;)
Vitaly Friedman & Sven Lennartz
December 10th, 2007 6:14 pm@Sumesh: we publish articles not necessarily for Digg users, we write for our readers. Mondays in USA start later than in Europe and our European readers might want to get a bunch of Monday inspiration just as well as our American readers.
Tajim
December 10th, 2007 6:32 pmThese are some extremely costyly setups. This also shows that how big is Google’s pocket that it invest so much in their employee statisfaction. But i were employeed in Google then i would only keep watching those bright colors rather than working :-)
Valentin
December 10th, 2007 6:50 pmWish I’d own such an environment… but I got to make my work done on a simply white desk.
RStankov
December 10th, 2007 7:47 pmI should show those to my boss, to remind him about the new office plans …. ;)
Life Design
December 10th, 2007 8:09 pmQuite a list, loved the Google offices, but Sumesh has a point: some of those are a bit…light. I mean:
Tree through a desk = cool
gonks on a desk = samo samo.
Basil Gloo
December 10th, 2007 8:15 pmnice creative stuff here. ideas for inspiration :) btw, last two years we’d designed and create our custom furniture for our office places
Matthew Griffin
December 10th, 2007 9:24 pmAs usual, great list and great photos. I did a remodelling job at my workplace a couple of years ago and now I can vouch for the effect of environment on work quality. It’s so much easier to think in a place that makes you want to create.
Dustin Brewer
December 10th, 2007 10:18 pmThose are all spectacular work spaces. They would definitely inspire me if I were to work at those locations.
Jared
December 10th, 2007 10:33 pmJust like everything else, I’m sure it gets old after a while. I can’t find the article, but I read a while back that changing your workspace/work area every year is more satisfying than sticking with the same “awesome” space in the same period (I think the study was 3 years). Of course it’s opinion, but I tend to agree. Especially with creative people, keeping it fresh is always a good idea. There was also a study done that shows it’s boosts productivity as well (this particular study was done with a change to the environment lighting a few times over a period of a year I think).
Anthony
December 10th, 2007 10:33 pmSign me up, I would love to work at any of these locations. Back lighting the computer was a pretty cool idea, Its how I have my setup at work. Its also alot easier on the eyes.
Roweena
December 10th, 2007 11:00 pmThanks for the Monday inspiration…no’s 2 and 10 might not be as impressive as the Google offices but they are a bit more within reach for most office workers…can you really take your cats and dogs to work at Google…that would be great!
Grant
December 10th, 2007 11:14 pmWOW! the offive desk with the orange table and blant going through it is awesome! I wish i could have something like that in my room :(
All have to wait to i get my own place!
Robert
December 10th, 2007 11:37 pmDon’t forget all the great offices at http://aintnodisco.com/ too!
mikemike
December 11th, 2007 12:21 amThe top one is the best. The one below, which is just a Mac on a desk…? How is that inspirational other than being a symbol of corporate Marxism?
Nick
December 11th, 2007 12:39 amLooks like someone pissed in Sumesh’s coffee. Most likely him. I guess you didn’t get the inspiration on here quick enough…
These are pretty cool. I have seen a few more cool ones, but I’m sure they’re included in that Flickr link you provided.
Keep it up!
unclewilco
December 11th, 2007 12:49 amLove those sheds!!!!
Lica
December 11th, 2007 4:02 amI already knew about Google and Pixar’s space. I’m more interested to see how other smashing magazine fans workspace looks like. The links were cool though!
Avasilcai Daniel
December 11th, 2007 5:16 amI love the design of the first one and the light in the second one …we work every day in artificial places build by us, but we need to see some nature chaotic forms…
Lee
December 11th, 2007 6:55 amSome of these are amazing. I can only dream…
Swift
December 11th, 2007 12:30 pmDamn I really wish I could work in those places. Seems really fun and cool!
Myke Cave
December 11th, 2007 4:24 pmWow I really love #4. The outdoors indoors thing. That would be sure a great Idea for an apartment with friends. You’d have to have a great place to start with though.
shafiu
December 11th, 2007 6:02 pmI would love to work in a place like this
Therapix
December 11th, 2007 6:48 pmHolly cow, 8 lcd screens? That’s 4 times what I have :(
Sonny
December 11th, 2007 7:30 pmawesome!
Romeo Manzur
December 11th, 2007 10:20 pmgoogle offices are just great, also pixar’s, 8 lcd monitors 8 times more than I have, if you want creative people, give them time to have fun ;-)
thomas
December 11th, 2007 11:17 pmThose are all spectacular work spaces. They would definitely inspire me if I were to work at those locations.
Open English
December 12th, 2007 2:42 amLove how Google treats their employees… all of these workspaces are pretty awesome, although I do agree with one of the comments that it’s probably better to change it up every year than to keep it a certain way all the time… after a while you forget to notice how “awesome” your space is.
John John
December 12th, 2007 4:18 amTher are a few very slick ones in between… a specialy the pic with the blue screens..
Jeff
December 12th, 2007 6:52 amgreat list and great photos! you guys always leave me super inspired!
Gisele
December 12th, 2007 7:55 amOh my, I want to take my pet to work!!!
DiggityDaw
December 12th, 2007 1:09 pmI love this one and also all the inspirational articles i have been reading on this page. Thank you Smashing Mag!
jonnn
December 12th, 2007 2:17 pmokay list, the ones in your “references and further resources” are better
this place has become a “monday inspiration” and free fonts blog
had something good going for a while
ASh
December 12th, 2007 8:02 pmI think that most of thease workplaces aren’t comfortable for working. They are just for saying: “Oh, wow, cool. But I’ll use my own, not that one, thank you.”
jackie-b
December 12th, 2007 8:36 pmlooks good, how your workplace looks. really tells a lot about your aproach to work. -check this page on my site.http://jackie-b.com/cubion.html
Taavi
December 12th, 2007 9:35 pmorange desk + white mac…thats hot
Lloyd
December 13th, 2007 5:05 amGreat roundup. Thanks for the links. Please all do come by and see all of our other offices on http://www.officedesigngallery.com
Sam Lowry
December 13th, 2007 10:53 amAnybody have a good website which shows creative HOME offices? I have a new room I’d like to make into a great 2-person office (for graphic designers).
Dwayne Charrington
December 13th, 2007 11:56 amWow I wish I worked for Google seriously. Just the satisfaction of knowing you’re working for Google is enough to make you feel inspired. Oh and of course working for Google would have it’s bragging rights associated with it as well ;)
I would love to see more pictures of inspirational offices that one with 8 LCD’s was mind blowing, at my work I only have 2 of them :(
-Dwayne Charrington,
http://www.dwaynecharrington.com
PixlNinja
December 13th, 2007 10:13 pmCool, This story seems different from all SM articles !!
Truly the designer ready workspaces ….inspiring.
Ryan Plesko
December 14th, 2007 6:48 amI love to see people being creative with their space, a plain cubicle just isn’t good for productivity. A little visual interest goes a long way in all applications, whether it is a workspace or your home. I’ve never seen a blog post or magazine article for boring, safe, unoriginal rooms.
jennifer ramos
December 14th, 2007 1:20 pmThese office spaces are the COOLEST, i work from home and love it, but if I knew my office space looked like that, i’d want to go to WORK haha- It creates an environment you want to excel in.
Pete Marshall
December 14th, 2007 9:55 pmCouldn’t agree more that the environment that surrounds you termines the way you work, some truely excellent examples.
Phil From Loreauville
December 15th, 2007 12:52 amWow. Now I know why my sites look so crappy. All I have is a busted-up old desk I got from my employers warehouse in the corner of my bedroom.
I’d be the first to agree that the condition of our workspaces can be seriously under estimated at times. At my house, when the wife and kids pick-up something that they don’t know where it goes, it usually winds up on my desk and nothing is as detrimental to me as trying to work on my website surrounded by piles of junk.
But to comment on the pictures. Some of these are pretty cool. I could really get into some of these offices. I wonder how much productivity Google credits it’s lavish offices to. It’s definitely something to think about.
But I got to say, a couple of those pics look like they were set up specifically for a photo shoot — like they belong in a computer ad.
pj
December 15th, 2007 1:20 amIt appears your site is loading up worse now with your new hosting provider… Also I agree with many of the above posts this wasn’t a post that really meets the quality I’ve seen from SM. Seems like you guys are running out of ideas?
Regina
December 15th, 2007 1:52 amI love these workspaces. Google looks so open and fun (and I would love to bring my cat to work). But I also appreciate the coziness of Pixar’s. Working as an animator or concept artist for Pixar would be a dream come true.
MarkP
December 16th, 2007 1:16 amVery Impressive spaces! This makes me realize how depressing my office environment really is… :)
I second Sam’s comment above, I’d really be interested in seeing some examples of creative home work spaces.
Luka
December 16th, 2007 3:11 amI love the table in penultimate picture….
momo
December 20th, 2007 4:58 amOne more resources: http://www.aintnodisco.com/
dharma
December 27th, 2007 3:13 pmI heard that the Yahoo offices also have a creative workspace setup… but yes Google does score here.
Creativ Era's
December 27th, 2007 7:18 pmIt’s really very cool and nice designs in this post. I love the whole designing work and the post is really very innovative. Great work.
Oguz Celikdemir
December 28th, 2007 11:02 pmHi,
could someone tell me where I can find last picture toys (monsters)?
I like very much and I would like to buy :)
Thanks,
Edjuh
December 29th, 2007 2:14 amReally cool! It inspires me to look for a new office for my own ;)
sarah hawilo
December 30th, 2007 5:25 amreally cool workplaces and love the inspiring art placed in each dept. Wouldnt it be such a horrible job working at Google!!
Visien
January 8th, 2008 5:04 amlove google
Piotr
April 7th, 2010 11:17 amsee also http://beautiful-desks.blogspot.com/
Ricardo
July 29th, 2010 2:26 pmWhen you travel to São Paulo, Brazil, you can work at a creative coworking office called Beans! see more at coworking.beans.net/en
John
November 28th, 2010 5:43 pmSome of the coolest office designs I have seen are by this company:
tagofficedesigns.com
Jon Baucom
June 30th, 2011 5:23 amI love the office designs in this post.
Here are some excellent dental office designs: sidekickmag.com/gallery
Though having a fun environment at the workplace is great for employees, when it comes to clients the office should be comfortable and inviting. This is just my opinion.
Arty Arisa
August 25th, 2011 6:43 amPixar’s workplaces are so creative and colorful that it makes me wanna go there!!!!!
(Wish I CAN!!) but anyways, I think the designers worked hard to make these kind of rooms!!!
Matthew
September 5th, 2011 4:26 pmI love seeing others work spaces, it helps me gather ideas for what I would like to do with mine. I came across another blog article about their own work spaces, I thought they were pretty awesome.
The Coolest Office Space
back40design.com/news/m.blog/22/the-coolest-office-space
M Lawson
January 18th, 2012 2:55 pmHi, does anyone know who makes those cool looking plastic ugly doll toys (last photo on the post). Thanks!