Year on year it’s natural that the office design will evolve as the requirements and dynamic change over time. As 2025 is about to start, what positive changes can be made with your office?
When taking a look at office design, a heavy focus is put on the open plan space and adding free standing screens to divide areas and departments. Whilst this can be an important aspect, there are ways in which to implement changes on an individual basis to improve the space.
Our targeted approach works to reduce office noise, add privacy and making the workspace comfortable for individuals. Acoustic desk dividers are an alternative solution to a floor standing screen, require no floor space and are a non invasive addition to an office setting.
Designed with sound absorbing foam, woven fabrics and high quality frames and edging, the full collections have a lot to offer the work place, home offices and administration settings.
Fitted to the back and/or sides of desks with easy fix clamps, the chosen desktop divider can be installed within a matter of minutes. Providing the single work space with coverage from the rest of the office.
The amount of privacy and shielding is based on the selected height. Available in 400, 500 & 600mm heights to offer varying levels of cover or openness to each desk space. The height of the table top divider is important when it comes to maximizing noise reduction and being able to work collaboratively.
Fix the chosen desk screens to the lengths of the desk that require protection using straight or wave top panels. A wavetop has a sloping design and a gradual decrease in size which can be useful for communication purposes.
Create your own divide with access to a wide collection of sizes, fabric colours and screen designs.
Adding dividers into the office and workplace doesn’t have to be a full floor to ceiling fixture. Smaller and mid height screens can be just as effective whilst giving just the right amount of coverage.
1.5m and 1.6m high are mid height screens you didn’t know you needed. At this height, privacy, noise control and visibility aspects are addressed, and will of course, amplify office design.
Why choose a smaller, mid height office panel?
Privacy
As a floor standing design, there’s still of privacy to be gained from a small height option. In a seated position, a 1.5m high screen will cover open floorspaces and individual desk spaces. It won’t be possible to see those around you, yet they are within reach.
In a standing position, you’ll have full access to the rest of the office, where you’ll have the open space in your eye line. This can be effective when quiet and privacy is needed to work, but is also handy when you need to find a point of contact or converse with colleagues.
Noise control
At Rap Industries we have a large collection of screens and finishes which are tailored to varying room types and requirements. Finishes range from printed, loop nylon, laminate and acoustic foam.
If noise levels are a concern and you’ve noticed a decrease in activity, it could be due to the surrounding volumes. Every workplace will have distractions, but the way you deal with them is key. The acoustic foam within the acoustic panels is designed for these types of issues. Acoustic foam and fabric are the ideal pairing as a noise absorbing solution, thus making the environment quieter, comfortable and professional.
Visibility
As we’ve touched on, the privacy and the visibility go hand in hand.
With a mid height room divider, visibility is lost when in a seated position. But this can be easily rectified as when walking across the space or standing up, the full office will come into view.
It’s the ideal height to achieve a closed workstation with an open feel.
Traditionally, portable screens have a solid build. Due to being portable and concertina, the flat solid panels make it possible to fold the panels together into their compact form. For this reason, acoustic room dividers haven’t been an option as the acoustic foam makes the panels thicker, therefore unable to fold comfortably.
However, we’ve got acoustic screens on the move and this is how we’ve achieved the portable acoustic solutions. Generally, each screen comes supplied with a set of stability feet, complete with a profiled shape for safety purposes. It’s as simple changing of the static feet for the lockable castors that give the acoustic divide the portability it deserves.
With a simple change of feet, the acoustic screens can be moved between open plan areas and used in the loudest spaces to make the biggest impact. As Rap Industries specialize in acoustic partitions, the screen designs are high quality, available to all budgets and effective at reducing noise.
Can I change the panel back to a static screen?
If the portable feature is no longer needed, it’s possible to switch the castor wheels for a pair of stability feet. The stability feet have a raised profile, making them trip and wheelchair friendly and suitable for all open spaces.
Can the acoustic panels be connected?
It’s possible yes, but this is also determined by the chosen partition and the design of that range. Our linking office screens can be linked even when on castor wheels, but must be unlinked when on the move.
Our other screen ranges are a non linking design, so this feature isn’t available. However, this won’t reduce the number of possible configurations.
How easy is movement?
With high quality castor wheels, all of the acoustic screens are easy to move, regardless of weight.
The wheels make easy work of relocating the screens and repositioning the acoustic properties into spaces with loud volumes. Once in place, activate the lock for a solid divide.
In addition to freestanding screens, we also offer a wide selection of desk screens. Our collection of desk screens differ in size, placement and how they attach into place. As the name suggests the partition is designed for the desk rather than sitting on the floor. Opting for a desk solution is a guaranteed way to keep the floor open and only requires the surface of the desk you’d like to divide.
Possible fixing points are the back and sides of the workspace, and will provide varying levels of division, shielding or acoustic support.
To have the best effect on the open space, the right height should be selected. Offering heights of 400, 500 and 600mm, there’s a height option to suit the requirement. To find the best height, we suggest measuring from the top of your desk until you find a comfortable option.
The 400mm is the lowest of the 3 options and whilst provides cover, is also easier to see over. Suitable for light noise control and for those who work collaboratively or need to be able to communicate easily with those around you. However, you will gain a nice amount of privacy whilst your working.
Next, the mid height of 500mm. Providing 100mm extra, but making a bigger difference on the amount of visibility in and outside of the desk space. Adding more height can help with the effectiveness of the acoustics, this is due to how noise is captured into the partitions. Acoustic foam and fabric are paired to absorb sound and sitting at 500mm will effectively do just that.
Finally, a 600mm height supplies the highest levels of noise control and privacy. Ideal for those who work individually and require little noise for higher concentration levels. Implementing a 600mm acoustic desk partition to the back and both sides will create a small, individual desk pod. As visibility is restricted, it’ll produce a comfortable working environment.
Office screens are brought as part of the office design and are often based on functionality over appearance. Whilst controlling noise or dividing an open plan area is important, the style of panel should be right for the environment too.
Decorative office panels take use and looks into consideration – it’s possible to have both. Rap Industries continue to evolve as office needs change old fashioned styles into modern designs. Office screens can be decorative from the colour fabric, the shape of the screen and even with patterned fabric.
How can we help make your space more attractive?
Offering a fabric like no other, the Delta Velvet has discarded plain fabrics and includes a patterned fabric. The patterns include animals and numbers for children right through to geometric shapes and corporate colours to cover a vast number of environments.
Alternatively, if you’d like to add your own patterns, the Morton Vision collection combines acrylic and acoustic panels. On the acrylic section we’ll print any logo, font or image to represent your business. The combination of soft and hard fabrics ensure noise can be absorbed in one section and visibility into a department it still possible.
To get the right balance in the workplace between decorative and professional can be difficult, but with more panel designs available than ever before, you have a fantastic choice. Decorate an office space, work area or meeting room to add personality and colour.
Dividing a room can revitalize unused space or make a space multi functional. It’s often thought that division into offices are built in and are very much permanent. Whilst that’s possible, there are other approaches to divide space on either a semi permanent or temporary basis.
When it comes to dividing space on a temporary basis, the chosen screens or room divider should be mobile. The addition of wheels and castor feet show no restriction for portability and can be moved as frequently as required. Incorporating a versatile screen maximises an open space and allows you reinvent your office for the better.
How the room is dividing is completely down to you but the different styles determine the set up and should help you choose which style is best for usability and the available space.
Our free standing office screens used to be a static solution, but with a small tweak of castor wheels are now portable too! Opening avenues of portable acoustic, laminate, printed and acrylic screening. The number of finishes broadens how and where our screen ranges can be placed.
As the floor standing panels are purchased singularly, multiple panels should be connected to create the width of choice. We’ll make sure you have what you need to connect the panels and create the portable, temporary wall required.
To make the temporary solutions as simple as possible, concertina screens are an effective way to divide a room into multiple areas. The concertina name comes from the way the panels fold together and proves a useful tool as a part time solution.
Using the foldable screen requires unfolding the panels, moving in to a shape or straight line and you’re new space has been partitioned.
The folding mechanism of the room divider is part of the attraction. Instead of moving a full sized screen, each panels fold with the next to create a compact unit. The ease of folding, moving and storing is second to none.
Due to the light weight design, the portable dividers are ideal in an emergency too. Simple grab the screens and unfold for privacy and shielding. Temporary office dividers only need to make an appearance when in use. The remainder of the time can be spent in storage and out of sight. There’s no reason for the screens to become an unused part of an office design.
As a UK office screen manufacturer, Rap Industries work to improve and adapt the product range, thus having a design for any environment or occasion. The newest screen to the range is the Delta Velvet Office Screen which extends an already existing partition collection.
The Delta Acoustic Office Screen range is known for the unique shape and appearance of the Delta Cloud. Taking a step away from conventional designs and creating a bold statement in the workplace, the Delta Cloud demonstrates how professional and bright work well together.
How are the Delta Velvet Office Screens different?
As part of the Delta Acoustic collection, we utilise the same core, acoustic foam but the difference comes with the fabrics. As the name suggests, the Delta Velvet Office Screens are soft and velvety to touch, which also makes them a great addition to sensory environments. However, the real head turner is the patterned fabric, which is exclusive to the Delta Velvet Screen.
Rather than a standard woven fabric, the Delta Velvet displays a range of patterned fabrics that are versatile across different spaces and fit with many themes. From professional and subtle for a corporate office to animals and numbers for an educational environment, the wide spectrum of patterns will become a focal point and bring an unfinished room together.
As part of the construction, the Delta Screens are acoustic and can be used in open plan rooms and workspaces where noise levels are considered too loud and distracting. The acoustic foam and patterned fabrics work together to help reduce noise and create a comfortable surround for all. For more information about how foam works and the impact they can have on your environment – click here.
Available styles from the Delta Velvet Acoustic Office Screens
As well as the Delta cloud shape, you’ll also find the standard straight style along with a wavetop and curved formation. Whilst the Delta Office Screens don’t use a linking facility, it’s still possible to use multiple panels together to create a width or configuration of choice.
Position the acoustic panels flush against each other to achieve the configuration you require.
All screens are finished with a blue piped edging and finishes the screens in a bold fashion. Trip and wheelchair friendly stability feet are included with each partition and provide the strong and reliable design of the freestanding acoustic screen.
We became aware of COVID-19 & Social Distancing at the end of 2019 and as we’re well into 2022 it’s still something we’re aware of and is still causing effect. When the pandemic hit it’s peak, and lock downs were being enforced, it was hard to see when the end was in sight, but levels of normality have returned.
Office spaces were changed, shopping wasn’t the same and being close to others was stopped. Social distancing and screening became a large part of everything we did and was an addition to most spaces that has now become familiar.
The addition of screening, mainly acrylic and laminate dividers, changed the look of the office and put the need for acoustic office screens to the bottom of the pile. The reason acrylic and laminate finishes are suitable is due to the easy clean finishes and the fact they can easily be disinfected.
At one stage, social distancing wasn’t a choice so the need for screening made sense. Creating a divide between desk spaces, making sure safety precautions were in place and well being was at the top of the list.
But now the restrictions have been relaxed, do we think it’s time to take the social distancing screens away?
The screening solutions did the job they were there to do, but even without social distancing rules, we believe there is a place for the acrylic and laminate screens. Being 2m apart isn’t a factor now, so the screening helps to provide protection for those who need it and reminds us that we’re not back to how we were in 2019.
Shops and the retail sectors are still largely using the barriers between cashier and customer, it shows that some ways of working are here to stay.
Working in an office can limit the space you have available, but with the addition of desktop dividers it makes it easier to decipher which work space is yours. From the clear acrylic point of view you receive the best of both worlds – division and visibility. Securing desks doesn’t need to bring darkness to the space, clear acrylic lets natural light shine through, keeping the office space light, airy and positive.
From an acoustic and noise reduction point of view the social distancing screening isn’t the best option, but for hygiene, you couldn’t find anything more effective. The hard surfaces are ideal to wipe clean but can also withstand stronger cleaning products. If social distancing taught us anything it’s that screening can be clear, modern and incredibly effective.
All in all, we think social distancing screens have a place with or without COVID-19 from a practical, visual and effectiveness point of view.
Notice boards hold a great deal of potential when it comes to displays. Their ability to be completely customised puts the creative look completely in your control. That said, the pinnable notice board still has its limitations. While the design is simple, a pinnable board will always cause permanent damage to the content you are adding. Furthermore, the clear majority of notice boards are wall-mounted. This is hardly an ideal position when so many people now have their eyes glued to their phones. A modern notice board is all about addressing these issues and ensuring that important messages and announcements stand out to their target audience.
As a small disclaimer, we are talking about notice boards in a business setting, where attracting attention is often more of a struggle. So, if you are tired of using traditional pinnable notice boards, then you are in the right place. They have consumed much of the market, so it is often to find any reasonable alternatives which are not going to cost you a ridiculous amount. As well as some of the more obvious alternatives, we’re also going to examine some more unique options which may be ideal for your environment.
Clippy Notice Board
1: The Emergence of the Free-Standing Notice Board
For busy environments, in particular, a wall-mounted notice board simply is not going to cut it. Often the content is too far away to be seen and often, it becomes an ignored background aspect. To address this, there are now free-standing notices boards. These are ideal to be set up in hallways and reception areas. Crucially, the information can then be seen clearly by all that are walking by. A unique example of this is the Clippy notice board. This modern notice board features an eye-catching design which allows content to be added via the grip rails. Not only does this prevent any damage to the content, but it is also quick and easy to use.
As a free-standing notice board, these are often the ideal addition when presenting important announcements and information. Their design is built around grabbing attention as people walk by. Then, assuming the content is clear and can be seen from a fair distance away, will convey the message even if passers-by are indulged in the screen of their mobile device. As a final caveat, they are also easy to move, ensuring they can be utilised in different areas or positions, depending on what is required.
2: Customisable and Magnetic Notice Boards
A recent trend which is growing in popularity is to opt for magnetic notice boards. Often, these double-up as a whiteboard or blackboard, offering a whole new level of creativity. While not suitable for long-form information, these excel when used to display brief updates to passers-by. Firstly, the customisable board can be easily changed and there is even room for some creative finesse when writing out the message.
Then, the inclusion of the magnetic board allows any leaflets or announcements to be conveniently added with just a few magnets. In terms of style, these offer much more than traditional pinnable notice boards. For example, a magnetic blackboard can be fantastic for more rustic environments or restaurants where snippets of information can be added and quickly changed when required. A common issue for pinnable notice boards is that their cheap price often inhibits the final design. As a result, this is a major contributor to them simply fading into the background and not fulfilling the purpose which they were purchased for.
3: Consider the Value of Digital Notice Boards
While the aforementioned options may provide a cost-effective solution, there is an option to help to really get the message across. Digital notice boards provide a unique way of displaying messages and announcements. While these are likely to stretch your budget further, they do offer the best way to display information. These electronic options often combine a low-end computer with a decent screen. For a bit extra, you can even get the two combined.
With this setup, it is possible to create interactive and enticing displays. With the introduction of the screen, it is possible to create static displays as well as using videos and animations to illustrate messages. The result is significantly more appealing to passers-by, which ultimately means a higher chance of communicating the message to the target audience.
Whatever the budget, there are now a wide variety of options available as an alternative to the traditional pinnable notice board. Often, the decision comes down to the setting. If you need a simple board just to be creative, then the pinnable is still the way to go. However, for more complex and busier environments, it is becoming increasingly necessary to have attractive visual tools to get the message across.
Rap Industries are manufacturers of notice boards, office partitions and acoustic pods. Our experiences over the past 40 years have moulded the design of our products today. For more information on how we can enhance your business environment, please get in touch. To do so, either call 01733 394941 or send an e-mail to sales@rapind.com
With the new year well underway and modern office designs taking shape, it’s about time we looked at the innovations which are leading the way. In the past, the office usually featured a static design which remained unchanged for years on end. Nowadays, the design of the office is significantly more important. While it can be a key factor in boosting productivity and stimulating creativity, it also holds several other benefits for businesses. For example, with a growing millennial workforce, a greater priority is placed upon where they work, and creating an enjoyable working environment is now important for attracting and retaining younger generations.
This point, combined with the fact that many offices are now used to host meetings and presentations has led to the office becoming an extension of the company’s brand. In addition to this, the design of the office is a key component when increasing productivity. Typically, this is achieved through creating comfortable working environments which are tailored to the strengths of its employees. As such, office design trends are evolving, far faster than they were 10 years ago. Often, these are tailored around the open office design, with the end goal focused on creating a balance between collaboration and privacy.
Modern Office Design Trends
How Office Design Trends Are Catering to the Millennial Generation
By millennial, we are talking about employees who we born after the year 1990. What distinguishes these from the rest is the fact that they were brought around modern, digital technology. For example, the mobile phone, personal computers and games consoles were freely available. As well as this, their upbringing co-aligned with an increasingly liberal education system. The result is a different set of morals and beliefs than what business owners are used to. Rather than just focusing on money, millennials are more likely to set their sights on a career which is also fulfilling.
This is where office design becomes important. By fulfilling, we’re not necessarily talking just about doing humanitarian work. In fact, much of the career advice given to millennials over the past 20 years, has been to find a job you enjoy. This means to discover a career they are happy doing every day, working in a place which is comfortable and being surrounded by like-minded individuals. Because of concerns such as these, there has been greater emphasis placed upon building a community through office design.
This idea revolves around the open plan office. Some of the key office design trends over the past decade are built around finding a balance between collaboration and privacy in such an open environment. Rather than just reverting to the cubicle design of old, instead, designers are turning towards flexibility. Because of wireless technology, there is no need for employees to become attached to a single desk. Instead, modern offices are creating spaces for collaboration to take place and others which provide complete privacy from the surrounding office.
Office Design Trends in 2018 are Focused on Utilising Technology for Success
Many of the office design trends which we are seeing this year are built around this idea of flexibility. While they can certainly cater to the newer generations, it is also important to consider older ones who will have become accustomed to existing designs. In order to make the most of the space available, permanent, private offices are a thing of the past. Therefore, it is important for modern office designs to create effective private environments which are suitable for all generations. Simply telling people to pop a pair of headphones in is not a long-term solution.
An increasingly popular option is to create versatile, acoustic booths. These are semi-permanent and incorporate advanced acoustic technology akin to what you may find in a music studio. This helps to filter out much of the ambient background noise while creating a private space which fits in with the open design. These can then be used by individuals, for group work as well as for meetings. The result is an office where employees can be flexible and work in environments which are suitable for their work.
Creating an Office Which is Future-Proof
As we alluded to at the beginning, the speed in which offices are changing is increasing every year. While they are not complete overhauls, it is necessary for the office to quickly adapt to the needs of the business. If the number of employees continues to grow, then the office must follow suit. Fortunately, an open office is far more effective at this than any other design previously. Furniture, partition screens and even acoustic pods are relatively easy to re-arrange. Then it is simply a case of making the room for additional working space.
Furthermore, with interchangeable components such as these, it is simple and more cost-effective to adapt the design over time. Furniture such as desks and partition screens will not need to be changed every year. Therefore, modern office design trends are based upon a system where components can be added and removed wherever necessary.
On the topic of furniture, adjustable desks are something we all should be looking at. As modern office design trends look towards the future, this also concerns the future of employees. Many studies have begun to reveal the damaging effects of working in an office for 8 hours or more a day. There is a need to create environments which allow people to be as active as possible. While the flexible working areas will help, it is components such as an adjustable desk which get people moving and help to safeguard against some future health issues.
Integrating Branding into Office Design
The final factor we are going to cover involves the aesthetic of the modern office. With the examples set by Silicon Valley, the recent trend has been to incorporate white spaces with colourful and vibrant colours. While this has a number of benefits, such as being able to boost people’s mood, it fails to really make the space unique.
This is one of the reasons why this year, we are increasingly seeing company branding being incorporated into colour schemes and design plans. As mentioned earlier, the office is increasingly becoming part of the marketing and promotion of an organisation. Use of bright colours can be great for a creative business as it promotes that part of their identity. However, if you are in the business of finance, then glowing yellows and dazzling greens hardly create this image of professionalism and consistency.
Modern Office Design Trends
Rap Industries are expert manufacturers of office partitions, acoustic pods and room dividers. They have designed components for organisations both large and small for over 40 years. If you wish to find out more about the services which they offer, then please call 01733 394941 or send an e-mail to sales@rapind.com.
