As an artist, the thirst for creative expression is ever-present. As a student with a full-time job, bringing conception to reality sits at center gravity on a delicate scale of inspiration and motivation. Creativity is believed to be spontaneous by nature, yet the creative process is in itself a convoluted mechanism that is not unilaterally defined. The intricacies of the individual mind are manifold, thus divergent minds need different spaces in order to flourish. Visual atmospheres are a key component of fostering focus in physical spaces.
Personal identity is the driving factor for choosing an environment that encourages productivity and creativity. Some prefer being tucked away behind library corners and hidden by books in solitude and silence, others find inspiration sitting outdoors while immersing themselves in the noise and chaos of the city; individual predilections are bound to vary. I believe there is one specific factor that provides physical spaces the ability to influence creative performance and enhance ideation—ambiance, an interplay between the interior design, lighting and sound of a space. When I search for a location to make my creative home for a good couple hours, there are a few key elements that in my opinion create a perfect atmosphere.
First, I'd like to touch upon lighting, both natural and artificial lighting must be taken into consideration. Natural lighting is proven to improve mood and alertness, the more windows a space has the better it is for your concentration. Now if you're more of a night owl (like myself) the interior lighting is crucial. In my opinion dimmer lighting works to my favor in that it makes the space feel more comfortable thus allowing me to delve into my creative consciousness. The important aspect of a dimly lit environment is that the lighting should be warm yet still bright enough to be able to read a book or scribble in a notebook, think vintage mahogany reading room. A recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology by two German psychologists, Anna Steidle and Lioba Werthh, examined the effect of light and darkness on creative performance. The investigation determined that physical environment can in fact facilitate or impede the generation of new and creative ideas. The results revealed that darkness increases freedom from constraints, which in turn promotes creativity.
Next, we have the sound of a space which encompasses both music and the level of conversational background noise. Some individuals prefer silence in order to concentrate—to each their own, but a bit of sound is actually proven to be effective as well. A low to moderate level of ambient noise activates abstract cognition because it induces processing difficulty and consequently enhances creative performance. Conversely, a high level of noise impairs information processing, thus an equilibrium must be attained. If your local coffee shop is paying pop punk from the 2000's I'd say steer clear if you're looking to accomplish any task. Personally, I find playlists including a mix of classic music and acoustic soundtracks very stimulating in that they provide a sense of calm as opposed to silence which promotes self-consciousness. A low hum of conversation also works towards the space being creatively positive in that those around you are engaging in purposeful small talk, but that also brings about the crucial aspect of the type of staff and clientele—both of which should be unobtrusive.
To come full circle, I'd like to briefly touch upon the aestheticism of the physical space. Interior design lends itself to the overall atmosphere projected by an environment, which is a vital part of an establishment's socio-cultural identity that determines what kind of patrons the space attracts. I'll start with the basics, i.e., work space and seating, comfortable desk-height tables and chairs are ideal, but couches and coffee tables are also helpful—depending on the task at hand. Next comes decor, I personally prefer spaces that provide food for thought through their design, books and art adorning the shelves and walls being on the top of that list, complimented by a neutral color scheme.
The cohesive structure of a physical environment is a factor that many individuals don't take into consideration, yet there is a method to the madness. Everyone is different, but I truly believe that ambiance is everything when it comes to physical environments that foster focus, productivity and creativity.
P. S.
First, I'd like to touch upon lighting, both natural and artificial lighting must be taken into consideration. Natural lighting is proven to improve mood and alertness, the more windows a space has the better it is for your concentration. Now if you're more of a night owl (like myself) the interior lighting is crucial. In my opinion dimmer lighting works to my favor in that it makes the space feel more comfortable thus allowing me to delve into my creative consciousness. The important aspect of a dimly lit environment is that the lighting should be warm yet still bright enough to be able to read a book or scribble in a notebook, think vintage mahogany reading room. A recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology by two German psychologists, Anna Steidle and Lioba Werthh, examined the effect of light and darkness on creative performance. The investigation determined that physical environment can in fact facilitate or impede the generation of new and creative ideas. The results revealed that darkness increases freedom from constraints, which in turn promotes creativity.
Next, we have the sound of a space which encompasses both music and the level of conversational background noise. Some individuals prefer silence in order to concentrate—to each their own, but a bit of sound is actually proven to be effective as well. A low to moderate level of ambient noise activates abstract cognition because it induces processing difficulty and consequently enhances creative performance. Conversely, a high level of noise impairs information processing, thus an equilibrium must be attained. If your local coffee shop is paying pop punk from the 2000's I'd say steer clear if you're looking to accomplish any task. Personally, I find playlists including a mix of classic music and acoustic soundtracks very stimulating in that they provide a sense of calm as opposed to silence which promotes self-consciousness. A low hum of conversation also works towards the space being creatively positive in that those around you are engaging in purposeful small talk, but that also brings about the crucial aspect of the type of staff and clientele—both of which should be unobtrusive.
To come full circle, I'd like to briefly touch upon the aestheticism of the physical space. Interior design lends itself to the overall atmosphere projected by an environment, which is a vital part of an establishment's socio-cultural identity that determines what kind of patrons the space attracts. I'll start with the basics, i.e., work space and seating, comfortable desk-height tables and chairs are ideal, but couches and coffee tables are also helpful—depending on the task at hand. Next comes decor, I personally prefer spaces that provide food for thought through their design, books and art adorning the shelves and walls being on the top of that list, complimented by a neutral color scheme.
The cohesive structure of a physical environment is a factor that many individuals don't take into consideration, yet there is a method to the madness. Everyone is different, but I truly believe that ambiance is everything when it comes to physical environments that foster focus, productivity and creativity.
P. S.
Hi Paulina,
ReplyDeleteNice post! As an artist, I too can certainly attest to the importance of finding a space that will, well, foster focus! Not always an easy task, especially since depending on what I am working on, poetry, painting, photography and or photoshopping, the preference for a particular style ambience can be ever-changing. It would be nice to know what kind of artist you are? I am guessing writer? I enjoyed the way you broke up the post in sections making it easier to visualize all the components that go with selecting the perfect space to create.
Thanks,
Raf
Hi Rafaella!
DeleteThank you very much for joining my creative conversation, it is a good feeling knowing that there are other artists that feel the same way I do about ambient work spaces! Like you, I dabble in different forms of art including writing be that poetry or stream-of-consciousness prose as well at drawing, which for me includes both sketching and typography/calligraphy. My preference for particular atmospheres is nuanced and constantly changing as well, which (just like you) is dependent on what it is that I'm working on. Everyone has their own interpretations of particular environments and whether they merit productivity, which is what the goal of this blog is partially about-to understand what that means for different types of artists.
xx Paulina