Frederik Pferdt, head of innovation and creativity at Google, was recently asked a few questions on the Google Apps For Work site. I’d like to track him down for something more in depth.
from Creating an Innovative Workplace on a Budget
Q: The Garage is a space where employees have the freedom to dream big. Tell me more about the role of the physical space in encouraging innovation.
A: Physical space is the body language of an organization—collaboration happens through its tools, materials and design. With The Garage we wanted to encourage experimentation. We intentionally designed it to blend the playfulness of a kid’s room with the chaos of a messy garage. It’s a place where people can find neat tools like 3D printers and laser cutters, along with other people who are developing new ideas. That proximity helps foster creativity. Even if your space is unfinished, get started. As you experiment with different concepts for the space, think about what you want to achieve. Do you want to encourage risk-taking, or is your goal to inspire more collaboration? You’ll see what works and doesn’t work. We started The Garage with old car parts, a 3D printer and a couple of whiteboards. We intended to remove that friction between idea generation and building—so it was beautiful to see people progress their ideas from sketches to physical prototypes.
‘Physical space is the body language of an organization’
from Stowe Boyd http://stoweboyd.com/post/137888268572
