Outfit your blue sky room to Maximize Creativity and Collaboration
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If you can dedicate a “creative space” in your facility, make a “blue sky” room that’s’ focus is being open to ideas, suggestions, problem definition and getting lots of possible ways to solve it. Make sure this as a “no idea is too strange, too far out” acceptable place – where people can express themselves without fear.
One suggestion, paint the ceiling light blue – after all, it is a blue sky room, make sure it physically different from other typical conference rooms. Have a variety of interaction heights including stools, benches, standing height stools, even bean bags if desired to put people at ease.
Stocking this room to enable easy creativity.
People, when they walk into the room, should find the tools and aids they need to enable creativity. Be sure there a plenty of whiteboard space, even floor to ceiling, wall to wall whiteboards. Or using some advanced coatings, have the walls of the room painted with clear whiteboard paint – turning every wall into a “space to show what you mean” available to all.
Bucket of Marker Pens
Be sure the is a bucket full of marker pens with lots of different color and widths (some wide, some pointed) (and of course an eraser to be used sparingly).
Stock Your Blue Sky Room with Plenty of Multi-Colored Post-it-notes
Likewise, have bucket full of multi-colored post-it-notes. Never underestimate the power of a stack of colored cards. I’ve heard it said that you can judge the success of the creative meeting by the number of post it notes on the wall.
Other factors in creating – using a great blue sky room:
OK – maybe this is where the free lunch comes into play. Sometimes people will do anything – even be creative when a pizza is on the table.
The Process of Encouraging Creativity and Problem Solving
Encourage sketches. Be sure folks know there is no such thing as a bad idea in this room. You never know when the “anything goes” approach might spark a great idea. And often little creative ideas can grow into something bigger. Plus, remember this is a “freedom place”. A place for free ideas to roam. A place to freely express ideas, a freedom to note ideas – no matter how crazy or unusual.
Other places that can spark creativity:
Judge the Success of Your Blue Sky Room Creative Session by the Number of Post-it-notes on the Wall.
Be sure employees know that almost any place can be creative. Corridors, hallways, break areas can all be spots for creativity. Try to avoid blank walls in your facility. Cover your walls with artwork, photos, pictures, the businesses accomplishments – use the wall s to spark imagination.
If you are in the Bay Area (SF), give us a call. We’ve done bunches of painted white boards and installed high quality floor to ceiling, wall to wall whiteboards too. And for flexibility, we’ve also provided portable white boards, that when joined together, create mini-blue-sky-rooms.
