You’re sitting at a desk and something just seems to spark. Scratch that, maybe it’s not a desk. Maybe it’s a park bench underneath your favorite tree where those squirrels hang out. Or maybe it’s the shower - water pulsing over you, thoughts ripe for the picking. You know the feeling. It’s that magic place that gets you in the creative zone. For some, it’s the office, for others it’s anywhere but the office. Regardless, we all have those spaces that kick our creative juices into overdrive. We set out to find where these spaces were and what made them so special for a select group of creative people in the Eugene, Oregon area. The results were varied, but the insight into the individual creative process was as unique as the spaces themselves.
This is where ideas happen.
where is your creative zone?
funk/levis
3
tortoise
7
asbury design
11
Allen Hall Advertising
15
Revoalution
19
Bell+Funk
23
funk/levis
“
Make the space your own. Think of a space that works for you. Think of the best cafĂŠ you have ever been to. Chances are a space that feels good is going to feed your soul. -chris berner, senior designer
“I think this space reflects us. We are the most creative people around because the space looks like it. I think when people walk in they feel this fun light atmosphere but also a seriousness about what we do. The natural wood and the higher ceilings...I think all of it reflects our personality.� anne marie levis, President & creative director
5
funklevis.com / @funklevis / 541.485.1932
- personality -balance -lighting -individuality
tortoise
“
We can be authentic with each other and from there we can actually collaborate. I think that makes a space.
-Brandon Mai, Art Director
- people - collaboration - authenticity - unique stories -open spaces
“Allen Hall is so diverse. You can have a atrium with a huge window or you can sit in a conference room and really get into the nitty-gritty with people. I think it’s very cool that it is so varied in that way. It’s fun to choose where you want to sit.”
wearetortoise.com / @wearetortoise / bmai@uoregon.edu
10
asbury design
“
What I like in my space is serene and less is more. If there is a lot of color going on, then it is hard to focus. So I like color to be muted in my workspace. As a designer, your mind is never at rest. You are always taking everything in.
-Steven Asbury, Owner
“My space is all designed. And I like the fact that my space has been designed by me so it’s a color that’s pleasing to me, it’s an environment that’s pleasing to me so it kind of lets me relax and focus on the project and not on being distracted by ugly green walls.”
13
asburydesign.net / @stevenasbury / stevenasbury@comcast.net
- unique Design -color -ability to focus -perspective
Allen hall advertising
“
I think to come up with the best ideas you need to have good relationships with the people you are strategizing with. And I think you need to understand that you aren’t going to figure out the idea in one spot. -Sydney Madge, director of strategy
-good relationships -enjoying work -unique atmospheres -innovative spaces
“The atmosphere that you work in is so important. Look at Google. It’s a crazy cool place where people just want to hang out. There’s cool photos, cool stuff, ping-pong, billiards, beer taps...they have innovative work spaces. I like where Allen Hall is going. They have the concept that where you are matters. But if it were me, it would be a lot weirder. There would be more colors and weirder places to sit and places to nap.”
aha.uoregon.edu / allenhalladvertising@gmail.com / madge@uoregon.edu
18
Revoalution
“
For me, creativity is art. It’s problem solving. All different kinds of people can be creative in all different kinds of places.
-Jennifer revoal, owner
“I have a standing desk which I love. Usually my desk is a lot messier...the stack of paper is very high. I’m trying to be more organized so that I can find things better, but I would rather have sensory overload than a workspace be too plain or too clean. You never know what inspires you to do what you’re doing.”
21
revoalution.com / @revoalution / 541.654.2841
-openness -music -laid back -unique setup -natural light
Bell+Funk
“
I have to have a neat space, but I can take a visually cluttered space. I have to have piles. I absolutely can not think if there is a picture off by even just a little bit. I need to fix it or I will just sit there and fixate on it. -David funk, creative director
-privacy -area of focus -organized clutter -unique inspiration
“Space somewhat dictated the environment of the office. We designed the whole graphics area so that people would have their backs to each other so that there’s a certain privacy to it. We did intentionally do the space around the windows. Surprisingly, what goes on outside is not that distracting.”
bellandfunk.com / david@bellandfunk.com / 541.654.4446
26
let your space be
unique
In the end, your creative space is an extension of individuality. It represents you to the outside world and welcomes those who are curious enough to delve deeper. Creative spaces tell a story. A glance at someone’s desk can show personal style and process. When a client walks into an agency, they are presented with the collective unity of a creative vision. No two people will have the exact same space or process. That’s the beauty of creativity.
The best creative space is the one that works for you.
thank you for letting us invade your space
Anne Marie Levis............................................. Funk/Levis Chris Berner.......................................................Funk/Levis Jolene Taylor.....................................................Funk/Levis Brandon Mai...........................................................Tortoise Steven Asbury............................................Asbury Design Jennifer Revoal...............................................Revoalution Sydney Madge..............................Allen Hall Advertising David Funk..........................................................Bell+Funk Jennifer Bell.........................................................Bell+Funk A special thanks to Deborah Morrison and the UO School of Journalism and Communications
UO SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND COMMUNICATION #uocreativestrat
Ryan dutch @dutch_ryan dutch@uoregon.edu
spice walker @spicewalker spicew@uoregon.edu
marino lapidus @Marino_Lapidus mlapidus@uoregon.edu