Microsoft’s Project Natal, the gesture-recognition technology shown off at E3, is now coming to the office to boost productivity.  In a demonstration to CNET, Microsoft showed off a futuristic desktop solution that transforms the entire office into a collection of displays and input devices.
The hardware is in the later stages of development, but it remains to be seen what applications will be most efficient in this gesture control environment.  The massive displays allow for multiple work spaces, like notes or photos, but we wonder how such a complex control center will work in the everyday office.  The potential for the [...]

OXO, an innovative consumer products company, recently created an exclusive line of office products for Staples.  The designs hope to make office supplies more efficient, easier to use and just maybe, a little sexier.  From yet another design for easier stapling, to new pushpins and magnets, the OXO designs certainly look like a fresh redesign to old office stand-bys.

The rubbery products are given the title, GOOD GRIPS, but OXO also redesigned some scissors to include a little switch to cross the blades, creating a simple box-cutting mode.  The question remains, will consumers pick up a higher price for better design?
[via [...]

London-based global briefing publisher Monocle have recently released The Future of the Workplace, the first edition of their Design Dialogues podcast series.  Tyler Brule, editor-in-chief of the publication looks at the economic recession’s impact on design and the affects of large and small scale companies pushing more employees to work for home.
In particular Monocle takes a close look at:
How the economic climate influencing architectural thought?
How does geography affect office design?
What is missing from the workplace?
What are the key trends for the coming year?
Find the podcast here.
[via Tank]

Confronted with a challenge from the Gummo Advertising Agency to design their new office space, i29 Architects faced two major issues. First, Gummo rented a space and only intended to be there two years. They didn’t want to start smashing down walls. Second, they didn’t have much money to spend.
i29 came back with a solution based on the mantra ‘reduce,reuse,recycle’ that created an office space with minimal impact on the environment and met the tight budget. The design also reflects Gummo’s brand personality – simple, no-nonsense, stylish, and a twist of humor.

The new office uses furniture locally sourced via Marktplaats [...]