Are you thinking of updating your office?
February 1, 2016
The first thing you need to do before updating your window displays is to work out a clear brief. Below are a few really useful tips.
- A new office design can make a huge difference to your business. At the early stage it is really important that you prepare a clear brief. A good starting point is to write down your brand guidelines if you have not already done this. The challenge that we find is that many of the smaller companies only have a logo and some colours. The office needs to reflect a lot more than just a colour scheme and a logo. You want to end up with a design that is totally unique to you and will be instantly recognisable if you remove the name of the company. Before going ahead with a colour scheme check out all the local competition and make sure your colours are different as this could cause confusion at a later date. Just imagine your office – like an individual with a personality, make a list and with this information it will help ensure that you get a design that reflects your business values. Your USP’s should also include reasons why clients should select you as an agent. At the design stage, a marketing display or wording can then be included in the design.
- Style – are you looking for a traditional office with a modern twist, minimalistic design with contemporary colours or a fashionable office with a quirky twist? Perhaps a current design with vintage elements. The displays, furniture and lighting levels will be completely different depending on the design image you want. We have found that many independents want to show clients that they have a good understanding of the local area; this is being achieved by using large images or maps of the local area. The images can be in full colour or in a monotone depending on the design approach.
- Work style – the way agents are communicating with clients is changing. Many offices now have a discussion area and meetings are not held in front of desks. Do you want your office to be divided up into zones for meeting and greeting, staff working areas and perhaps a private meeting area? The use of Digital Signage with interactive screens will have also have an effect on the office design. You will require a seating area facing a screen.
Once you have considered some of these points you can select a professional company who will probably ask you more questions and suggest few more ideas that you may not have considered.
You are now ready to have a design prepared so that you can truly visualise your future office and this will help you to see what you like and dislike. If you use a professional interior designer this could cost you in excess of a thousand pounds, but if you go straight to the estate agency professionals who supply the equipment you will be able to get a full 3D visual design for only a few hundred pounds. A good design takes about two full days of work with a tremendous amount of thinking and planning so don’t think of it as a quick sketch.
Fairfield Displays & Lighting have three highly skilled interior designers on staff and are able to produce you stunning realistic visuals. Call 01252 812211 or visit www.estateagencydisplays.co.uk to see examples of their work.
Janice Fairfield
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