Tue 29 Apr 2008
The office cubicle — four interchangeable grey walls surrounding a desk — is the fixture of the modern corporate work aesthetic. Nobody likes them, but abolishing them by force of will won’t work, so:
What could make cubicles better? What’s been done already?
Posted by Josh Millard6 answers so far!
I last sat in a cubicle in 2002, but as I recall my chief complaint was how I had my back to anyone who was approaching me. Not that I was afraid of being attacked, or minded that the unprofessional blue of Metafilter was obvious — it just was a little unnerving sometimes to have someone suddenly pop up over my shoulder. I startle easily. Or at least I did then. Maybe I just needed less coffee.
Now, however, I wouldn’t mind having a cubicle at all. I work at home, have two small kids, and my daughter is going to claim my office as her bedroom any day now. My desk will be out in the living room, I guess, and I haven’t figured out yet how I’m going to fence it off.
abolishing them by force of will won’t work
I abolished them from my life by force of will, and I think my model can scale.
I don’t mind my cubicle so much- only the back to the door setup. That’s mostly weird, but it is convenient when I need to show someone something on my computer.
My cube might look a little better than average- it is made of warm colored wood and glass, as well as gray metal and tan textured fabric.
I used to think cubes were the worst thing ever, but I guess I really don’t mind anymore, now that I actually work in one. They give people something to lean on when they come to visit you.
That is, cubes are ok if you choose to work a desk job. I agree that it isn’t hard to abolish them by force of will. Just change what you do, or where you do it.
I love how sites like Lifehacker show decorated cubicles… make them your own!
Two words: donut holes.