Case study for a virtual office tailored to the digital media production industry

How can people who work in creative industries collaborate when separated by distance? This paper investigates how people who work in a computer-centred, project-focused, creative environment interact with their peers in their current open-plan offices. In our case study, the digital media production company we worked with needs to maintain its competitive advantage by being able to access external talent. They believe the future of their industry depends on the ability to overcome distance, and are therefore aiming to set up satellite offices that are connected to their headquarters through new technologies. In the creative environment that we examined, interactions between people are of great importance in the synthesis of an atmosphere of fun and trust that enables creativity. We observed the importance of spontaneous casual interactions, awareness and engagement with other people for encouraging an atmosphere of creativity. In our design reflections for a virtual office, where the lack of physical proximity is being overcome by communication technologies, we give recommendations to model these interactions.