Coffee-thirty

by Andy 3 years ago
4 Comments

We have a regular practice here in the Unit Interactive office that we find very helpful in our work, and a positive addition to our daily regimen. We call it coffee-thirty. Each day at around 2 or 2:30pm those of us who can find any way to do so stop work and gravitate toward the reception area of the office. Some of us grab a snack or a cuppa or whatever and we spend some time just hanging out together?on the sofa, at the table, whatever?and just chill.

Sometimes we just hang out and talk about our respective projects or what was on TV last night. Sometimes we grab the UniBall and shoot baskets (perfecting our already formidable scoring technique). Sometimes we brainstorm on some upcoming project or idea that one of us had. And sometimes we do very little, or some combination of any or all of these things.

The point is, we kick back and just hang together for 15 minutes to an hour. Whatever happens happens. No itinerary, no pressure to participate, no nuthin’ that’s scheduled. Even the time varies from day to day. Interestingly, we find that we often get important things accomplished in those laid-back breaks. Now, while accomplishing things is not the point of coffee-thirty, we just find that when you get a few creative and restless minds together with no structure, interesting and sometimes valuable things come of it.

For those of you at agencies, big or small, I highly recommend something like this; a refreshing, full cleansing breath in the latter part of the day to lubricate the work process. Are some of you already doing something similar?

Comments (4)

Nathan on July 11, 2008

I gotta say, I?ve become a believer in Coffee-thirty. At my past places of employment, the afternoon just became a drag, and work flow just seems to crawl [especially the creative types]. So, why fight it? Take some time out, do something ridiculous [like Unit Office Bowling], and refresh your brain for the last leg of the day.

Colin on July 12, 2008

Wish this happened in such a manner at my last job. We had to record every tick-tock of the project-clock, so informal brainstorming or chit-chat was avoided so we wouldn’t be in fear of leaving holes in our daily timesheets. Such a drag that was.

Andy on July 12, 2008

That’s unfortunate, Colin. What you describe is a regrettable symptom of an agency that has lost its way; changed from being a collection of professionals who offer inspired services into a factory that must grind it quota of grist for its own sake. This sort of character smacks of existing for the sake of existence, rather than existing to provide relevant and appropriate solutions for clients.

Designers, and collectively – design agencies, are irresponsible if they descend to the level of “waiters,” or order takers. Designers should lead with ideas in the way that no one else can. And that requires a different approach and environment than is appropriate for other sorts of industries or workers. It’s sad to know that this sort of inadvisable approach you describe is still prevalent among agencies.

Case sealer on January 5, 2012

This sort of character smacks of existing for the sake of existence, rather than existing to provide relevant and appropriate solutions for clients.

Unit Verse

Coffee-thirty

Comments (4)

Your Comment

Other posts in "culture"

Other posts in "process"

Other posts in "Unitards"