Most people perceive working from home as a luxury, usually for freelancers or those with flexible (read - ‘cushy’) jobs. They’re right, it is a luxury getting paid for working at home full-time, but I don’t see that as a good thing.
The correct working environment is important for any job, but more so for us designers. A home is full of distractions and, subconsciously, you might be a little too comfortable in your familiar surroundings. We discovered this a couple of months after starting Happycry and found working remotely as a partnership far from ideal. Sure there is Skype, but it’s no match for bouncing ideas around in the flesh and talking to a computer will slowly send you mad.
Yet even if your not working collaboratively (i.e. a lone freelancer) I’d argue you should get an office. Work and home life don’t fit well in the same environment and they will inevitably interfere with each other. If you work as an individual, it’s worth looking into getting a cheap office/workplace away from the home and seeing how it affects you. It will work out expensive but your business, and your life, may be better off for it.
Look at the benefits
- Exposure to more inspiration: billboards, flyers, advertising… Inspriation is a plenty in the outside world as well as the internet.
- Seeing more people: It’s easy to become trapped in your own little world working from home. Real-life social interaction can help keep you grounded and open-minded.
- Separation of work and home life: No matter what you try, treading the boundaries of work and home life is difficult.
- Sharing ideas and critical feedback: If you’re a team (or go for a shared workplace) some quick opinions and a different viewpoint can make the difference between a good idea and a great idea.
- Sanity: Combination of all the above
Working from home full-time looks the ideal setup: it’s cheap & convenient – but that doesn’t mean it’s the best option. It’s fine for the odd day here and there but if you use it as a permanent workplace you should ask yourself… Is it really is the best option for your business and your lifestyle, or just convenient?
Posted on 05 March 2010
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Comments (6)
Some interesting thoughts there, Will - I’ve always enjoyed working from home, sometimes being away from the distractions of the office! One thing that has certainly struck me, however, as time has passed, is that without an office my house would be full of ‘work junk’. Even trying to operate as paper-free, you end up with a lot of documents, computer components that just seem too good to throw away and unusual freebies that you receive from suppliers trying to woo you.
Being able to use VoIP and VPN to work from home during the snow was, however, invaluable.
That’s it really, working where there’s the least distractions. I found there are more distractions at home but I suppose that depends on the situation.
For me, Dropbox is the most invaluable tool for working remotely… whatever the weather! :)
I think your right in a way, but different factors come into play, and working in an office as opposed to from home is subjective.
For example, I work now in Port Sunlight, its a stunning village with oodles of inspiration. I used to work in a corporate shell with no inspiration at all.
I also believe it comes down to self-discipline. Do you need to force yourself to work? Or are you motivated enough to get the job done within the time frame set?
5 years ago I worked for a company in Bollington and it was an incredibly disruptive environment.
At home I can choose what music to listen to, I have absolutely no commute, I’m comfortable and I can get more things done in both my domestic and work modes.
I also know many designers who work from home and they are very successful.
However, if your part of a partnership or team, then an office environment is worthwhile - but for a solo freelancer or sole trader, I see nothing wrong with working from home.
I see where you’re coming form Nick, it does depend on your specific situation and Port Sunlight is a pretty nice base to work from.
I do think it can be healthy to try and separate your work life from life however. If you work from home, there is always the feeling that work is looking over your shoulder at evenings/weekends and vice-versa with home life when working.
Have you ever thought about getting a local office Nick? I’ve experienced working in crappy office environments, but when it’s your own place you can make it your own!
Will,
It has certainly crossed my mind - and if I want to proceed, I do need to expand my office space.
However, its a cost that at the moment I can’t justify, but also because 3 days out of 5 I am working on site.
working from home is look like luxury ,but people gets very lazy in working , and not working with full concentration. its really bad , excellent article.
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