According to the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), numerous studies have indicated that improving workplace design can play an important role in increasing employee productivity. In fact, in recently surveyed businesses, an overwhelming 90 percent believed that improvements in workplace design would increase employee productivity.

What does this mean for the sign industry? Well, effective interior design can contribute to competitiveness. And simply, this translates into more business. So, what areas can benefit the scrutiny of improved design? Two important areas are lighting and workspace organization.

Lighting

Lighting quality in the workplace can have a direct effect on productivity because a cheerful environment leads to improved performance. Proper lighting translates into a reduced risk of occupational accidents and health problems, not to mention better concentration and accuracy. How can this be achieved?

Sometimes, it’s not a matter of increasing the number of light fixtures and/or bulbs or even increasing the electric bill. Existing workplaces can be improved by taking advantage of daylight or existing light sources. Natural light sources are the most effective sources of illumination. Can skylights be added or additional windows installed? Or simply, do workplaces need to be reoriented to take advantage of natural lighting?

Already installed fluorescent lighting can be adapted with filters that mimic sunlight. Less eye strain, fatigue and glare translate into improved employee comfort and fewer breaks. This cost-effective solution results in also results in the perception of richer, truer-to-life colors. That’s great for design studios and print shops. Use of filters can also benefit shops as they offer more protection from fading and damaging UV radiation.

If the addition of fixtures becomes necessary after consideration, these should be located to provide maximum support for visual tasks such as viewing computers screens, keyboards, or assembling or constructing signage. Fewer employee errors, faster composition and better output quality can be the outcome.

Workspace Organization

Effective workspace organization or simply, common sense placement of equipment, desks, tools and accessories means much. Save precious time and effort throughout entire projects by taking time to position equipment for maximum effectiveness.

A great place to start is to think about the way you work and to organize your desk or workspace in reflection. Save countless steps by placing what you need within immediate reach. Is it the telephone, paints and tools, or computer keyboard and mouse?

In addition, make sure your work or desk area is sufficient to accommodate everything needed for an uninterrupted completion of your task. Always having to “borrow” space at another location to lay out your entire sign or permit your project to dry? Not enough room at your desk to take an order, price the project, enter details on the computer and then issue the customer a quote?

Then, consider the layout of your entire room, office or shop. Simple changes in positioning of even small things and accessories can make a positive impact on productivity. Is your trash can handy or are you walking back and forth every time you need to dispose of excess material or weeded vinyl? Is the media for the color printer close at hand or is it in the next room adjacent to the rolls of vinyl? And of course, if you don’t have the storage solutions you need consider investing in some. There are solutions for all budgets.

So increase your productivity through improved design. By considering workplace lighting and organization you can make your employees more efficient and ultimately, make your business more profitable.