Sitting here as labor day weekend starts, I'm really at a loss for words. Literally. To be more exact, I'm not realling feeling motivated to write about a news topic, make a list, etc. So I'll go with a thought that occured to me today and play off of it.

I was interviewing for a job as a Recruiting Coordinator at an IT staffing agency when the revelation hit me. First, a bit of background. I had just finished the two on one interview, completed my assesment and one of the manager's was chatting with me about a variety of different things. One of the subjects that came up was creativity and technology being a platform for innovation, Uber served as the example of an innovative process that has influenced the way people get around. GM intends to partner with Uber to utilized their service for a variety of the cars they themselves have on fleet.

Anyway, I digress. As we finished the conversation, before I left, the manager showed me around the office. At first glance, you'd probably say that the office was empty and it was. With all but the two managers and me, the office was a barren wasteland. Workers way past gone to celebrate this Labor day weekend, from the founder herself to the secretary, the place itself was clearly empty. Yet at the same time, it wasn't.

Now I've worked for many companies ranging from massive corporations to mid size businesses and typically corporate enviornments, cubicles, etc. tend to be very bland with shades of grey, black and white. Lifeless is the word I'm probably looking for. This goes for when people are in and out of the office. Usually, there's not much worth remembering.

This particular office, however, was decorated with works of art and employed color and open space throughout the environment. It was, in my opinion, a good thing and a bit striking. I immediately noticed the works of art, including a custom piece by Miami local Romero Britto that was gifted to the founder of the company (Ironically, a Pisces, seing as her touch was everwhere). The thought immediately came to my head:

This place is far from empty; in fact it is quite full.

That is the power of Art. At least, to me. Imagination, emoton, color, and inspiration.

It holds space rather well.

In fact, it transforms the energy of a space and the people who observe it. Color and emotion coming together to influence and inspire. As people we come and we go, we migrate from space to space. Whether it's the beach, bars/clubs, the work place, schools, etc. we are always passing by.

Usually, when it comes to the workplace, from what I've seen, it's less beach and nature as the spaces tend to be filled with more and more working busy bee looking people but empty of everything that makes us unique and not routine. Lots of motion and stress and chaos, very little calm and serenity.

A lot of corporate environments don't always integrate nature, art, or colors into place but rather opt for generic designs.

Especially, with larger corporations, what you tend to see is something that more resembles a machine. This infuences the environment and the people I feel, as things tend to be more metric/numbers driven and less about relationships and authenticity. It's more influencing action through desperation rather than inspiration.

A quick note: I am in no way a proponent of the open floor plan/space when it comes to getting any kind of productive work done. To me the idea is preposterous but of course I am an introvert. I believe the ope space/floor plan is useful for socializing, team meetings,conferences or brainstorming and everything in between. However, when it comes to work, the old fashion privacy and closed door policy works just fine for me (less distractions and more focus). Need to see someone, shoot them an email or knock on their door;that'll do.

In short, I believe offices should have an open floor plan/ design in and out of individual offices but work should be independenlty done behind one's own closed door; group efforts can be reserved for the conference rooms or open spaces that are larger and intended for such purposes.

Of course, art should be sprinkled in between both the closed office rooms and the open floor spaces.

My battle cry is down with cubicles, give us open space conference rooms/floor plans adorned by private offices. Every employee should have an office that has an open design (maybe glass walls for transparency, a closed door for some peace and quite, and art should be everywhere.

Art, in a way, is freedom/escape, and individual expression; art tends to be authentic and unique. The opppsite of what a lot of work places tend to be.

Just a thought but empty as that office was, I felt gratitude and appreciation that as we walked around the office, me and the two managers, that the art was there as well.

So while you're out celebrating this labor day weekend, take a moment to look and see what art you see in the enviornment and be grateful and appreciative that it's there. Don't take it for granted. It could be the art deco designs of the buildings, flowers arranged in a landscape or garden, scultures, murals on a wall, paintings, or the design and fashion statement of a friends/stranger/neighbors'clothing. Take a moment and consider, the artist or person who put it there; appreciate the art and behold the beauty.