Actionable Insights: How to Improve Workspace Morale
Sam Wilkes has brought her dream studio to life at Vault49. Images courtesy of Wilkes.
Not all of us can confidently say that we’ve created our dream studio quite like Sam Wilkes can. As the creative director of Vault49, Wilkes has gained a true appreciation for the craft of making a workspace fun, welcoming, and different from other studios. “Things like this are so important for the cultural pulse of an agency, and when everyone is together the buzz is obvious,” she says.
Below Wilkes shares five ways to improve the vibes of your workspace, from the studio itself to the attitudes that can guide the team on a successful path forward.
1. Revamp the Space
It’s incredibly important that it feels creative and inspiring when we come in. We have the space to experiment and take over different areas when we need to put everything up on a wall. It’s things like this that are so important for the cultural pulse of an agency, and when everyone is together the buzz is obvious. There, we host regular happy hours and invite clients over to create a graffiti wall over a drink and informal catch up. We’ve truly created a space to bond, create, and show off our skills.
2. Have an Empathy Radar
Being a Creative Director, I have to juggle multiple projects or challenges and I always wear different hats throughout the day. But what I mostly pride myself on is the ability to give people the time they need so they can be the best they can be. If I can see someone struggling in a meeting or briefing, I might go back to my desk and throw some ideas or inspiration onto a page and say “what if…” to help spark some thoughts. We need to make sure that people feel supported and keep that creative fire burning.
3. Don’t be a Punk
The creative industry can sometimes be a highly stressful environment, and we are constantly judged on our work and our ideas. So be kind, and always look at things from another person’s point of view as well as your own. You might just learn something new.
Wilkes’s emotional support animal, Huey. Image c/o Wilkes.
4. Consider a Pet-Friendly Policy
We’re allowed to have dogs in the studio and, in my opinion, every studio needs one! I might be biased here, but a happy little sausage dog called Huey is the best emotional support animal.
5. Ditch the Work Uniform
Wearing whatever you feel comfortable in is the key! Being in the creative industry, we’re lucky that we can express ourselves with what we wear — there are no ties or power blazers going on here. With my bright red hair I have to be careful that I don’t clash, but you’ll normally find me in black (the designer’s favorite color) anyway.
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