Creative Spaces

(Sarah Greenwood's desk - picture taken at the University of the Arts, London.  Sarah was Production Designer on the Sherlock Holmes film.)

 
I've been reflecting on the last couple of years and my journey through the MICL.  I've come to realise that the space in which I work has quite an impact on my creativity and productiveness.  This in turn has an effect on how I feel.

Whilst tussling with essays, reading academic books and organising my thoughts, I've moved around the house.  I may start off in my home office, move through to the kitchen table and end up in the lounge on a comfy sofa.  At first, I discipline myself with structure, then I make a coffee and create, then I kick back and review what I've written with a cup of tea.  Each seems to take place in a different space.

The climate around these spaces is interesting too.  People, noise, the weather outside and the decor and furnishings in the room all impact on my work.

I've also come to realise that I can't focus in a mess!  Tidying up the workspace prior to starting is crucial.

Here are a few workspaces to look at.  What space suits you?

The V&A Moment

Eric Gill - 'Mankind' as seen at the V&A Museum London

I recently spent a couple of indulgent hours at the V&A.  It was the first morning of our Creative Industries module on the MICL (Masters in Innovation, Creativity and Leadership at City University London) and we were to look for inspiration for our 'artefact' assignment and to begin our Reflective Journals.

For a business person with a business family life who lives out of London, this felt very special and exciting, if a little daunting. I hadn't visited for years and I was required to equip myself with drawing and writing materials.  In the stationers the day before, I had taken my time to choose, like a child in a sweetie shop.  I selected an A4, hard-backed sketch book with black pages, metallic pens and a box of oil pastels.  This was something new for me and I was excited.  My choice of materials was my way of pushing myself into a new space.  Black, plain pages rather than white, lined.  Coloured pens rather than a black ballpoint.  A pencil case!  Hadn't had one of those since school.


I loved those few hours in the museum.  We were asked to find something that 'sang' to us.  Perfect instructions.  I headed off to find a statue I had noticed on the way in, that had, indeed, 'sung' to me.
I sat on a fold-up stool.  No conversation.  No interruptions.  Just me and my thoughts, feelings and my self-expression on the page.  What a great way to start on a Reflective Journal...

What a legacy Steve Jobs leaves behind.


It is particularly pertinent that I have just embarked on the Technology for Creativity and Innovation module on the MICL.  We are looking at user experience, usability and human computer interaction.

Recently, my 8yr old son came running into the study whilst I was on the landline telephone.  He had heard a text arrive from my husband who was abroad.  We couldn't find something and had asked for his help.  My son had often picked it up my mobile only to be asked to put it down again.  This time, because I was busy on the other 'phone, he picked up the iPhone, opened the text, read it and carried out the instructions which involved looking in the garage.  He emerged, replied to the text and returned to his game.  I didn't realise what he'd done until some time later.  I was amazed.

I shouldn't have been so surprised, I suppose.  Apple really seems to have managed to tick all the boxes when it comes to usability and the story above shows that the iPhone text application certainly adheres to the 'ten-minute rule' (Nelson, 1980).


Apple has a fascinating history and I look forward to finding out more about their approach and the stories behind the products.

RIP Steve Jobs.