Ian Johnston / Design Products

flexible workers/fluid workscape: supporting work-life balance

Project supported by Samas Systems Furniture

A design study of the behaviour and needs of a new generation of 'knowledge workers' who are working flexibly in new ways and places, leading to conceptual design proposals to aid work-life balance.

Rapid social and technological change is fundamentally redefining patterns of work for many groups of workers, often with unsettling results. For professional 'knowledge workers', work is no longer confined to a geographically-fixed office for set hours but is conducted more or less continuously across a matrix of diverse locations. 25 professional 'knowledge workers' in a range of industries were given a specially designed log book and camera and asked to document their work and life activities, workplaces and worktools over a seven-day period through written observation, photography and collecting objects and memorabilia.

(click to enlarge)

The results revealed work patterns of increasing complexity and pressure, with more hours, more travel, more weekend working, and more ambiguity between work and home. The findings were mapped against a study of places for flexible working. Design scenarios populated by identified user types were developed. New product concepts for the 'local juggler, 'highway patroller', 'corporate wanderer' and 'continuous performer' working at home, in transit and in high street clubs include tools to carry, tools to wear and tools to organise - intelligent luggage and clothing and interactive time-planners.

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