Brainstorming is increasingly becoming the go-to mode of communication in most corporations. Creating an interactive whiteboard has started to become outdated with the rise of ideas walls, writing walls, and graffiti walls. These “walls” have become a vital part of any corporate space design scheme. In fact, you will be hard-pressed to find a forward-thinking London company that doesn’t have writing walls in their various departments. Meeting room walls provide ample space for discussion, while social spaces encourage staff members and even visitors to leave their own message and suggestions.
Function
Though the concept may sound new, a functional wall has been in use for many years. Conference rooms almost always have whiteboards, the fashion industry uses mood walls to come up with colour and texture combinations, and enormous calendars have been an integral part of scheduling important events and projects. While you can always turn to digital solutions and I.T support, there are times in which the visual stimulus provided by these walls prove irreplaceable.
Expression
The walls need to be openly accessible to allow a workforce to embrace and value freedom of expression. Employees show the highest level of creativity when they are given the chance to select what work methods to use and this is exactly what concept walls facilitate. A whiteboard is restricted to the space it has, and taking up even a small portion of that space often requires permission. On the other hand, a writing wall encourages inclusion by anyone who sees it.
Creativity
Amidst structured chaos rises creativity, and a writing wall provides the opportunity to spur the most creative ideas. It seems to never fail to tap our anarchist roots; as children, our elders have always reminded us to avoid drawing on walls. It’s fascinating how this restriction helps boost our creativity as we try to think deep before we write. Trying to solve problems in a creative fashion can give any business a huge competitive advantage.
Innovation
Any company or institution wants to be an innovator and yet, many do not acknowledge the value of creativity. It’s worth noting, however, that one depends on the other: creativity refers to the process of formulating new ideas, while innovation involves the real-world application of those ideas. In essence, we can say that innovation is creativity in action.
Ownership
Writing walls prove important in helping businesses generate ideas, but their use extends much more than that. It also fosters a work environment with employees who feel empowered. Installing writing walls in different areas of your company provide ownership of those areas. Even leaving a graffiti for the sheer fun of it allows colleagues to feel that they belong to a team.
Art
Writing walls are only one example of a wall function that breaks the limits of a looming frame. These concept walls have also become an integral part of the office artwork, too. A lot of large corporations use office murals to create a creative and relaxed work environment. Sometimes, these murals are used as an extension of their branding design scheme. Truthfully, this requires quite a hefty investment. For businesses with a limited budget, wall graphics can work just as well, as they help with building brand creativity and increasing focus in the workspace.
Products
What does it actually take to make an idea wall? While specialised white paint has long been the default option due to its practicality, you may want to go for a clear dry erase paint. This adds an “unlimited” amount of space to your walls, allowing your workforce to utilise them to the fullest without compromising decorative identity. You may even want to use dry erase glass partitioning if you want to stop dealing with walls altogether. It’s also possible to boost the functionality of your walls by making them magnetic as well. These high-quality products and innovative applications encourage your employees to use the walls and value all the ideas they contain.
Creative ideas do not only come from the heads of a corporation: they can come from employees, partners, clients, and visitors. These ideas offer new perspectives and approaches, so it’s vital to keep them open for a free exchange of thoughts and creativity. The use of writing walls throughout your work environment opens up a simple yet effective platform which can give birth to an idea that will remain with your brand for years to come.