Zoomin’ Through The Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic has shifted our workplace paradigm. Physical distancing mandates to help control the spread of the virus have required companies to have their employees work from home. Benefits from working remotely have benefits ranging from a better work-life balance, increased productivity, positive environmental impact, and creating a customized home office.
I’ve divided up my blog post into two parts. Working from home requires an area where you can focus on the job at hand while balancing the needs of others in your home environment. I’ll discuss creating an optimal home office in part one and focus on efficient virtual meeting environments in part two.
Home Office? Yikes!
Your home office needs a designated space where you can work productively without distractions. Creating a functional home office requires some thought and design. Research and get ideas and inspiration from the internet, magazines, and sites like Pinterest. Once you have a vision of how you want your home office to look like, here are some other factors to consider:
* Determine the location – a spare room or a part of a room
* Consider the needs of the people you live with and the nature of your work
* Lighting requirements for work and virtual meetings
* Technology equipment, WiFi connectivity, and power outlets
* Storage, filing systems, furniture
* Personalizing your workspace
Location is everything
If you’re lucky to have a spare room to convert into a dedicated office, it could be a tax write-off. Plan your layout to make tasks efficient and use space creatively.
Open plan schematics where you have to designate an area as your workspace within your common living areas take more strategic planning. How much space do you need? Where are the power outlets? What are the needs of others living in the house? Lighting?
Whether you have a dedicated room, or, a small area in your house for your office, there are core requirements to make it functional and effective.
Lighting up!
Poor lighting can be the source of eyestrain and headaches. If you have windows and natural lighting, determine the best place for your desk and workspace. Position lighting fixtures to prevent glare. Dimmer switches could help control changing lighting needs for your ambient lighting. Use task lamps placed on the opposite side of your writing hand for your focused computer or writing tasks. You might consider a Ring Light placed in front of you for Zoom meetings. Optimal lighting will help you shine in all you do.
Powering up!
Power sources like charging stations, electrical sockets, modules, and all the essential technology that you took for granted at work must be considered. Your WiFi router connectivity, uninterruptible power supply, surge protector, and electrical requirements are important.
Boosting Functionality with Furniture
Choose your furniture wisely after determining your needs, space requirements, and budget. Is your office furniture compatible with your surroundings if you are not in a dedicated room? Determine the placement of your desk and shelving units in relationship to your technical needs, lighting, and aesthetics. Choose a comfortable and ergonomic chair for your health and best work. Your work parameters will determine what type of storage, filing, and shelving systems you’ll need.
This is Me!
The fun part of creating your home office is the personal touches that make it your space. Will it be a splash of your favorite color? Artwork? Plants? You’ll want to keep it clean, uncluttered, and professional with a glimpse of your personality.
Gossiping in front of the water fountain is just a memory. You’ve been so productive that you deserve a break. Time for reruns of “The Office” to make you nostalgic for those days of rushing to work, snarky coworkers who got up on the wrong side of the bed, and rushing back home. Home office—hooray!
If you need help in designing your ‘work from home’ office, Designer for a Day can help with consultations, remodeling, or refreshing your space.
Part 2:
Zoomin’ along…
Digital technology that makes Zoom meetings, Google Meet, and Skype a normal part of the workday can press our panic buttons as we expose our personal space to others. We are judged on first impressions and how we present ourselves. Now, with virtual meetings, we are also judged on those chotskies in the background, that unflattering lighting on our neck, and the dog yapping in the background.
Positioning
You’ve set up your home office just the way you like it! Prepare for your virtual meeting by positioning and leveling your computer so that the camera focuses from your midsection to right above your head. You want the camera to be at or just above eye level. The focus will be on you and not on sneak peeks of your kitchen or bathroom. Minimize background distractions.
“The better to hear you, my dear!”
“Do you have a dog? It’s a yapper!” Background noises can distract you and others during your meetings. Mute your microphone when not speaking. You may consider investing in an external microphone and headphones to block out background noises for optimal concentration and professionalism.
WiFi-ne
Working from home, unemployment, and quarantine mandates find many of us on the internet increasing bandwidth use. Prepare alternatives for disruptions like using your computer for your video while dialing in by phone for the audio. Check to see if you need to reboot your WiFi connection, adjust your positioning or upgrade your network.
Shine on! The Spotlight’s on you.
Lighting is a challenge for zoom meetings. Don’t get blinded by the light, that garish blaring fluorescent overhead light that turns you looking sickly and ghoulish. If you wear glasses, check your position and use diffused lighting from lamps. Hopefully, when you redesign your home office, you swapped those energy-efficient fluorescent lighting for more diffused lighting and dimmer switches. If you have natural lighting, it can enhance your camera appearance. Lamps can add depth and atmosphere.
Preview your setup before your meeting to ensure proper lighting and positioning.
The power of first impressions
The science of first impressions has been researched for years. First impressions can override the truth and knowledge. That’s how powerful first impressions are. So, get out of those pajamas, run a comb through your hair, wipe off that egg on your face, and hype up your professional work mode. Clear out the background clutter and those offensive, cheap souvenirs. Natural backgrounds surpass virtual backgrounds. Add interest with plants, and a glimpse of how you want to present yourself to others.
Bring on those Zoom and virtual meetings! If you lack confidence, Designer for a Day offers a half-hour to one-hour consultation.
Joan Robinson-Whitaker
Designer for a Day
Phone: 486-9191
Email: joan@designerforadayhawaii.com
Designer for a Day 3.8.21