Whoever said work can't also be play, clearly has never stepped inside the office of a creative company. And why should the workplace not be stimulating and colourful and playful? Maybe it is somehow expected that lawyers offices and so called 'suit and tie professions' be neutral, drab and ... 'professional'. Whereas, for those 'artsy kids' it's somehow more accepted that they can be *crazy* and *wild* yet still professional at the same time.

There seems to be a gap between the appearance that a lawyers office maintains and that of a design agency. Both are successful, both are respected. But the office with the creativity, and interest, and the most 'play' hands down will be the design agency.

Now to bring this into real life. I recently switched work places, (actually I did more than that, I switched from Print to Web design.. an interesting and somewhat large step) At my old job, I was used to the interesting people, and their creative input, but the office had been pretty standard.. desks, everything in perfect alignment and portraits/plaques on walls.

When I stepped into my current workplaces office for the first time, I couldn't help but smile at the bright red couches, full brick walls, cement floor, an displaced, yet organised layout of desks and their occupants, and both a Wii and Xbox 360.

At my previous location, I had no idea what a difference an interesting, creative working environment made to both my work ethic and my creativity throughout the day. It's much easier to create and be creative in a location where there are interesting colours and shapes, compared to a blank wall!

Whether or not this environment stimulates my coworkers creativity or not, I haven't asked. But I do know that every day at noon and 5 they are scrambling over both the fussball table and the Wii remotes for a game of Tennis. Maybe the red couches aren't encouraging them to go beyond or not, certainly the enjoyment of taking a break during the day to play a few video games with coworkers is both good in team building and relaxation.

There is play where there is work in this office, and everyone knows the restrictions and when to be professional and when to let their hair down. And I would say that everyone who works here enjoys their work more here than at a 'regular' office space.