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I’d love to Work There! 4 Stunning and Stylish Office Designs

World Best Office Design

When we think of offices we think of the typical boardroom, black and white and grey desks, whiteboards or interactive boards, pie charts, graphs, pictures of long landscapes etc. We think of an environment that is essentially, stifling, boring to work in. This is not our fault, it is how many forms of media has portrayed offices for over 50 years, in books and comics and even in films and on television shows. We have been brought up to believe that an office job is stifling of creativity; it is a boring and unwanted place to be.

However many of us will spend a great deal of time within an office, whether it is for meetings or as a part of a desk job, or even doing paperwork at our home office. So why must it be portrayed as something unwanted, hellish? Surely it would make more sense to create an office environment that overwhelms the senses, engages the creative mind or even encourages free thought? Because that is not the ‘official’, ‘professional’ sense of what an office should be.

Some of the largest marketing and business companies worldwide are well known for their unique brands, their stance on revolutionising the world as we see it and their office spaces are no different. We’ll have a look at four national and global companies that take a very different approach to the layout and design of their offices, and why these designs have helped their brands become so successful.

Invention Land
Self-marketed as ‘The World’s Largest Invention Factory’ Invention Land is a place where ideas are born and solidified. The company boasts having sold products in over 1200 online and retail stores, with numerous industry awards claimed by Invention Land alone. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Invention Land, Invention Land’s offices contain a number of ‘themed’ exhibits where ideas are able to bounce around and grow in a colourful and creative environment.

Step aboard the Pirate Ship Discovery, for example, a tech office designed on the deck of a Pirate Ship. With dangerous waters swimming below and a full cast and crew of model pirates, this section of the office is to encourage game design. In contrast the Nursery Nook, designed after the Woman who Lived in a Shoe, is where children’s toys, books and nursery products are designed. The Nursery Nook also doubles as a place of rest; an ideal location for some of the world’s busiest mind, when things get a little bit too much. a

Google
Everybody who knows at least how to search for something on the Internet and their Aunt Mildred knows about Google. As one of the leading companies for innovation and as one of the companies leading the online industry, the Google offices are certainly something else. Boasting a wide range of different seating arrangements, from angled plastic chairs to beanbags to ‘rest pods’, the Google offices are a place for work, ideas and even rest.

One particular unique element about the Google offices are their cafeterias. Known only as ‘cafes’ the eateries present in Google offices encompass a wide range of cultures and styles. Whether you are looking for a quick sushi lunch, a refreshing coffee, or you just want to sit down with a simple sandwich on a secret garden-esque rooftop, it seems Google has every option. Plus, employees eat for free!

Facebook
Another company well known for its variety of seating and meeting rooms, the Facebook offices are a mish-mash of wooden decks and soft cushioned areas, with lush bean bags in conference rooms and sun sparkled patios perfect for quick luncheons before rushing off to the next meeting.

One quirky feature in the Facebook offices are that many of its conference rooms are drawn from pop culture, such as Awesome Town, or a blend of characters and cocktails such as Darth Jager and Jar Jar Drinks. The company also offers a number of recreational rooms, designed to help employees wind down or calm down after a particularly stressful session in attempting to build the future for everyone. Whether you fancy a round of Guitar Hero, or a refreshing game of chess in a quiet room is more your ideal, Facebook has it all.

Zynga

Known for really changing the social gaming industry, Zynga has taken some great steps towards bringing video games into a more mainstream media. While some ‘hardcore gamers’ find this to be a step away from the ‘Golden Era’ of video games, many others welcome this new casual foray into games, as it brings people closer together for a mutual love.

 

The offices at Zynga are no different, with a number of social and friendly competitive games dotted around the office, such as an arcade, the Zynga offices even have their own ‘take your pet to work’ week, which does wonders for relaxation and productivity, encouraging creativity in all forms.

While these revolutionary offices are well known for their business success, it may be a few more years before these designs are more widely circulated. However it is certainly a step in the right direction and works well for bringing the ‘office environment’ back into the list of ‘places in which we’d love to build a career’.

 

Article supplied by www.completeinteriordesign.co.uk, a commercial interior fit out and office refurbishment business comprised of highly experienced designers – serving Surrey, Sussex and London since 2012.

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How 3D Printing has Affected the Design and Implementation of Specialty Industry Equipment

Although not currently readily available for your average Joe to go out into the street and buy one, 3D printers are fast becoming the popular technology of today. If you have a little bit of technical know-how, and don’t mind a fairly hefty printer taking up space, you can even purchase a 3D printer for yourself, or at least purchase all the parts to build one.

3D printing is a wonderful new technology that is still in its final design stages at the moment, but if you’ve been following the technical news you may have seen some of the fantastic things already printed with 3D printers today. There are a number of problems the modern world faces that may be solved – albeit not overnight- by the implementation of 3D printers into the workplace, into the factory setting, even into hospitals at some point in the future.

So what does this mean for engineers who specialise in creating bespoke equipment for industrial companies or computer programs? Some experts have expressed concerns that this new 3D technology may make the applications engineering business market obsolete; however this is not necessarily the case.

How do 3D Printers Work?
Like with any sort of 3D design or modelling, a design must first be built in a 3D modelling program. The design has to be flawless, with all surfaces accounted for; otherwise there will discrepancies in your printing. Unlike our brains, computers cannot make assumptions and so will only work on what they have been given, so make sure all the gaps are filled in!

There are three main ways a 3D Printer will ‘print’ each object; Direct 3D Printing, Binder 3D Printing and Photopolymerization. Direct 3D Printing uses inkjet technology to move a nozzle back and forth, dispensing a fluid onto the printer tray. Unlike inkjet printers however, this printer uses waxes and plastic polymers as opposed to ink, and also move up and down as well as left and right, creating a structure which solidifies to create a cross-section which will eventually become a 3D object.

Binder 3D Printing works in a similar way, although instead it uses two separate materials in the printing layers which come together to form a single layer. These materials are a fine dry powder plus a binding element, normally liquid glue. The final method is Photopolymerization, whereby drops of liquid plastic are then exposed to an ultraviolet laser beam. This then converts the liquid plastic into a solid, forming the print.

What Can You Make with a 3D Printer?
Like with many of these inventions, often the only limit to what you can print is your imagination. Everything from spare parts to figurines to working instruments and even coffee cups and clothing! It is all dependent on whether or not the materials needed for these creations can be condensed into a liquid or powder form; such as the 3D printed clothing, which uses the Photopolymerization method to solidify thermoplastics into a wearable form.

Scientific breakthroughs have seen people being able to 3D print scans of an unborn child, 3D printing skin grafts and even managing to successfully 3D print a working synthetic ear. There are whispers in the works that 3D organ printing is in development; however it is not yet entirely clear whether or not this is a hoax. Regardless, 3D printing skin grafts is still a fantastic feat.

Using 3D Printers to build Speciality Industry Equipment
Although currently there are a limited number of uses for 3D printing, new and exciting discoveries are always being made, so there may be a time in the near future where we can even ‘3D print’ metal objects for use in engineering. As it stands the 3D printers can only currently handle plastics and similar materials, but this is still incredibly useful for small programs, stabilisation trays and even spare parts for 3D printers!

It is not clear how close we are to seeing a 3D printer with the ability to create industry specific parts and equipment, but due to the way 3D printing is progressing so far, it is safe to say that it is certainly not outside of the realms of possibility at this moment in time.

What this Means for Engineers who specialise in Bespoke Equipment
If harnessed correctly, this could be a turning point for engineering for the better. 3D printing is at the moment still unfinished, however more and more uses for 3D printing technology are being discovered to this day, so it is not to be dismissed as a passing fad.

By creating the initial bespoke ‘design’ for the equipment, there is still a need for engineers and designers to complete this design process. Once this design has been created for the bespoke piece, the 3D printer can then mass produce that single part, allowing for far less discrepancies, once a design is finalised and approved.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that there will be less of a demand for human engineering when it comes to bespoke equipment, only that bespoke equipment may be easier to mass produce, with the help of a fully operated, working 3D printer. Of course due to the materials used in the printer, this only works for small equipment pieces and will not be implemented for heavy machinery at the current time.

When it comes down to it, machines can only go so far when innovating human engineering. While programmed machines can perform a task to a speed and precision far better than a human worker, it will still require a manual input of the initial design, or any edits needed to be inputted manually. It is for this reason that we will continue to see professional application engineers working alongside programmed machinery, to create a faster, brighter future for the rest of us.

Article supplied by Mike James, a content writer for www.appeng.co.uk, a UK based application-engineering specialist operating from the East Sussex studio since 1983.

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5 Office Tools For Helping Left Handed Children

Office Cleaning Tips

Written by Sarah O’Reilly of http://www.whiteleysoffice.co.uk/, an office furniture specialist based in Kent and renowned for providing a high-quality, full project management service for all types of office design.

Around 10-12% of the worldwide population is known to be Left-handed, making lefties in the astounding minority. However handedness is not always a gift or a curse, it just makes getting used to certain tools a little harder for children! Whether you or your partner is left-handed, by some strange stroke of chance your child has started to exhibit left-handed tendencies; gripping the pencil in his or her left hand, using the left hand to do many tasks and so forth.

When it comes to schooling and education for your child, you may have to think about buying them some left-handed friendly equipment so that they can easily adjust to school life without having the odds turned against them (or their hand!).

This may not seem like a big deal, but when you’re five or six years old and you’ve just finished painstakingly writing your name on a piece of paper in bold, colourful letters, only to make a right pig’s ear of it by crimpling and ripping the paper instead of being able to cut it like the other children do, it can get very frustrating very quickly. These minor annoyances are things that right handed people take for granted, but it can really start to grate on you.

Kit your child out properly for his or her new school with this selection of left-handed friendly office tools which helps them to celebrate and nurture their difference.

  1. Scissors

Left-handed scissors are an essential part of any pencil case! It is likely that your child will be doing a lot of cutting and sticking, particularly in primary school, whether it is mixing and matching shapes, putting together a project or even making a cardboard diorama. Classrooms do provide left handed scissors, but often they are few and far between and are old and grubby. Provide your child with a fresh (and safe) pair of left-handed scissors so that they are never left out.

  1. Notepads, Journals and Portfolios

Spiral bound notepads can be the biggest perpetrators when it comes to annoying left handers, as there seems to be no comfortable place to put your hands when writing in said notepads, apart from the centre of the page! Left-handed spiral bound notepads are designed to open to the right, with the spiral on the right hand side. You could always just flip the notepad upside down, but your rules may be a little skewed as well.

The same principle works for folders and portfolios. It may look strange at first but it certainly saves your child’s hands from enduring metal imprint marks from the notepad or folder whenever they have to write or take notes down in any detail!

  1. Pens and Ink Pens

Graphite pencils and ink pens are often the bane of existence for left-handed people. Ink pens can help people to create beautiful calligraphy and were the staple in Victorian England, however they are simply not designed for left-handed people. Ball-roller pens are also a little awkward, as the way left-handed people write forces the ball to roll in the opposite direction, meaning the ink can come out in splurts and splatters.

Buying special gel pens and rollerballs designed to be used by left-handed people use quick drying ink so that there are no smudges caused by your hand. There is even a collection of soft grip pens designed to help children find the most comfortable way of writing with a pen!

  1. Home Desks

Particularly at University lectures, you can get those weird wrap around desks which makes it very hard for left-handed people to write comfortably without twisting their wrist around or arching their spine awkwardly so that they can properly rest their arm upon the desk. While this is unavoidable in schools, there are a number of desks designed for home use that are friendly to both left-handed and right-handed people. Shop around!

  1. Tech Accessories Cases

Phone cases and tablet cases often open out to the left. In some instances this is no problem, as the case will easily fold behind the phone or tablet, but it can get frustrating. With specially designed left-handed tools, the cases fold out to the right, leaving your left hand unhindered from the bulky case!

All in all, being left-handed does not disadvantage your child in any way. They’re not going to have trouble concentrating, or learning how to spell or write if they are left-handed. It is just that the tools of the trade can get a little frustrating to use for left-handed people. And this doesn’t just stop at writing tools; clashing elbows at dinner, using a can opener and even shaking hands can be a little awkward for left-handers! However you choose to look at it, there is nothing wrong with a left-handed child; it can just get a little awkward to use right-handed tools at times!

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How To Choose a Reputable Courier

When it comes to choosing a courier for a package – whether it is a delicate package or a large parcel or something that is worth a lot of money – it is important to do your research first before jumping in with the first courier that you cross paths with. Although many couriers will be widely known due to marketing and ease of access, depending on the style and size of your package they may not be the best courier for you. Likewise, if you want to have your package delivered quickly, the same courier service responsible for swift service may not have so many positive reviews when it comes to ensuring the package’s safety.

Similar to any online service that you are unsure of, taking care and putting the research in will hopefully save you from bitter disappointment later on. Some of the key things to look out for when choosing a good courier are:

Know your Parcel
For a start you need to know the dimensions (that’s height, width and length) and the weight of your parcel, as well as its intended destination. Knowing the specifications of your parcel will ensure that you can get an accurate quote online and will also ensure that you pay the right amount of postage up front with no nasty postage surprises – although import tax may still be required of the recipient depending on the destination of the parcel.

Price
Pay close attention to the price. Obviously you’ll want to go for a good deal, but if the prices seem too good to be true, then in all likelihood, it probably is. Unlike cheap produce or chocolate that you can buy from a supermarket, couriers are providing a service and a certain amount of labour will go into this service. Essentially, as they say, you get what you pay for…

Along this same vein, be careful that you are not overcharged for your service. Use price comparison websites or compare prices yourself manually, as the price comparison websites will always give the lowest price which may not be reflective of your parcel’s dimensions.

Delivery Style
Does your courier request a particular pick up and drop off time? Will they give you a tracking number? These are the sort of questions you want to be asking, as they are an indication of a good courier who provides a dedicated service. By asking for specific pick up information they imply the intent to see to it that the package is safely picked up and delivered. Obviously you can never be 100% sure of a delivery service but if they are requesting specific information, it gives further proof that this is a courier company that cares about its service.

Tracking numbers and information is also useful to have as you can check up on your parcel as it makes its journey. Particularly helpful if you’re running a small business and are sending out valuable stock, with closer relationships perhaps with your customer base.

Reviews!
With today’s technological world, it is very easy to find reviews online if the courier is genuine and reputable. Try to read a small sample of reviews before you decide to buy. Check whether or not the reviews sound genuine as unfortunately there are scripts that people can write in order for them to generate fake reviews online on behalf of their products. If there are a number of reviews of varying lengths and in different writing styles, then you’re probably in the clear.

Please bear in mind that many large companies may not have 100% positive feedback. In general people are more likely to make a comment on something if they have a complaint about it, which is why we may see more negative reviews than positive on a service online.

Personal Experience
Finally, Word of Mouth is still in existence, even if competing with the web… so take advice from friends if they have used a courier before. If you are completely unsure, ask a relative or a friend who has used a courier. Chances are somebody you know will have needed a courier service at some point in their lives, so it is always good to ask.

Happy posting!

Steven Korrell is an online content editor for www.randlogistics.com, a market leading parcel broker delivering goods across the UK and all around the world.

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How to Find A Property Conveyance Solicitor

home-remodeling

If you are in the process of buying or selling property, you may be searching for a good conveyance solicitor to work with. There are many types of lawyers and legal professionals who you can choose to work with, but not all specialize in real estate law. For example, a criminal lawyer may have a profound understanding of criminal law, but he or she may not be aware of all of the nuances associated with real estate law. The process of conveyancing can be intricate, detailed and confusing at times, and there are many laws related to various components of the buying and selling process. Working with a procession with experience in this area of the law can be beneficial.

 

Certifications and Affiliations

Many individuals who practice real estate law have local certifications and affiliations related to this specific area. Some of the associations and organizations that offer certifications and membership require lawyers to meet minimum guidelines regarding training, continuing education and other relevant factors. You can begin researching some of the certifications and affiliations that solicitors in your area may be affiliated with, and you can research the educational or membership requirements that are in place for those. This can help you to determine which certifications and affiliations are most relevant when you are searching for a solicitor in your area.

 

Experience and Expertise

You can also read a solicitor’s professional resume posted online to learn more about his or her qualifications. Some specialize in certain niche areas of real estate, such as residential or commercial real estate law. Some may have graduated from a prestigious university, and they may have been working in the field for many years or even decades. Experience matters when you are looking for a real estate lawyer to help you buy or sell property, and the more experienced professional you can find, the better.

 

Conveyancing is a complicated process, and the law touches on many related areas in a real estate transaction. From the sales contract to property inspections, appraisals, mortgage financing and other areas, the law spreads into each of these areas. A solicitor’s knowledge, skills and support in this area can help to guide you through your transaction. However, not all solicitors have the same qualifications and experience, so pay attention to each of these points carefully in order to make the best overall decision possible. In addition to these points, you may also consider interviewing a few professionals to find one whose personality you enjoy. After all, a real estate transaction may take several months to complete, and you may work closely with your professional throughout the process.

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Why Business Owners Hire a Lawyer

Whether you run an online business or are constantly present at your company’s location, it is important that you are aware of liability laws and how they may impact you. Even if you operate a virtual company and have employees who work from an office, your business may be liable in the event that they are injured. Personal injury lawyers can work with your business to ensure that it is protected from liability claims. It is in your best interest to meet with a lawyer prior to starting your company so that you can deal with any potential liability issues.

 

Investing in Business Liability Insurance

One way to protect your business in the event of a personal injury lawsuit is by investing in business liability insurance. This type of insurance provides your business with coverage in the event that an employee wins a lawsuit against your company. If the employee is awarded a judgment by the court, the insurance policy will pay for the judgment amount. You do not have to worry about draining company funds to afford the claim of an employee.

 

Workers’ Compensation Claims and Lawsuits

Often, an injured employee will want to seek workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is a form of financial support that pays for all of the worker’s expenses during his or her time off of work. People typically only associate workers’ compensation claims with those who work in the construction industry. The reality is that numerous other individuals, such as working mothers, may also have workers’ compensation claims. An entire family may depend on the income of a working mother. If she becomes injured at work, then the family may need a source of income from a workers’ compensation award to survive.

Because state statutes typically limit the workers’ compensation award that an employee may receive, the employee will typically try to sue the business or other individuals responsible for causing the injury. Workers compensation lawyers can help your business prepare for a lawsuit if an employee has maxed out his or her workers’ compensation benefits.

 

Potential Liability in Owning a Business

If you plan on owning and operating a business that hires employees, then you must consider investing in insurance to protect your company. Hundreds of carriers have authorization to write workers’ compensation insurance policies in your state. An employee may also be eligible to receive compensation from a public carrier. States typically have their own state-run workers’ compensation funds to provide benefits for injured workers.

If a business owner fails to invest in workers’ compensation insurance, he or she may be subject to penalties under the law. A business owner may need to pay a hefty fine and may also face penalties for misrepresenting records. Failing to have workers’ compensation insurance for businesses with over five employees may be a felony or misdemeanor crime in one’s state.

 

Prepare Your Business for Success

Your business should always be prepared in the event of a lawsuit. If an employee is severely injured on the job and suffers from a permanent disability, then he or she may be entitled to unlimited benefits. Make sure that you are ready to handle any employee claims by speaking with a personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer may help you find the right insurance policy or assist you if an employee has already filed a lawsuit.

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How to Turn Your Home into a Restaurant

A new trend is popping up in New York City, Tel Aviv and around the globe. This new trend is to start a restaurant out of your home. This may sound crazy at first, and a direct assault to health code laws, but there may just be something to it. If Airbnb can give strangers a chance to stay the night on each other’s couches, why can’t people meet up for a meal in someone’s living room? That’s what the makers of Cookapp and Feastly must have thought.

 

Restaurant Apps

Cookapp and Feastly work basically the same way, only in different locations. Cookapp is only in New York, Feastly was created in Tel Aviv, but has expanded through Europe and recently entered the New York market. These apps work similarly to Airbnb. Hungry patrons can peruse the apps for people serving meals in their home. They make a reservation and voila! Someone has a working restaurant out of their home.

If you are passionate about cooking, this may be something you can do. Whether you have equipment for restaurants or know how to work the basics really well, you may be able to create a delicious restaurant experience in your own kitchen.

To avoid health code violations, Cookapp and Feastly meals are technically “free,” but a “suggested donation” is listed next to the meal posting. Cooks must submit to a home visit and background check before they begin their restaurant. If approved, they can begin serving gourmet meals to customers.

 

Traditional Restaurants

You can also go the traditional route. If zoning and health code laws allow, you could convert your home into a restaurant. Set up a few tables in your living room, advertise with a sign our front and start cooking!

Starting a restaurant isn’t as easy as all that, obviously. Your home will need a little bit of renovation to be eatery ready. Here are some things you can start to think about.

-Do you love to cook that much? Sure, it’s fun when it is you and four friends, but what about when it’s room full of impatient strangers? If that still sounds fun, then great! If not, you may need to reconsider.

-Will you need help? Cooking, serving, and hosting are all full time jobs in other restaurants. You probably can’t do them all, so you need to find someone to help you.

-Do you have the right equipment? Depending on how big your dining room is going to be, you may need larger cooking equipment for restaurants. You’ll also need the tables, chairs, dinnerware, and silverware. This is all stuff you will need to purchase upfront before you even begin making money. This page is good resource to find out more about restaurant equipments.

-How will you advertise? You need to create a Facebook page at least, and preferably an Instagram and Twitter as well to begin advertising. You can also take out ads in the local newspaper or magazine. After a few test runs, contact the food section of your local paper to come review your restaurant. This is always great publicity!

 

Starting your own restaurant easy, but with the right tools and attitude, it can definitely be worth it. Have fun!