Describe your office space to us.

Innovation Protocol (www.innovationprotocol.com) is a brand strategy consulting firm situated in the heart of the burgeoning Arts District in downtown Los Angeles. The 4,000-square-foot, dual-floor space was chosen specifically in this area since the loft-style buildings promote creativity and offer room to breathe. Innovation Protocol’s office space was customized to fuel open team interaction and creative inspiration and, ultimately, unparalleled client service.

As you explore the space, you will find exposed brick walls, exposed wood ceilings, wooden cubby-hole storage and hardwood floors throughout. The walls are adorned with artwork donated by developmentally disabled adults at the non-profit LA Goal, an organization Innovation Protocol served as a pro-bono client. Other art includes real airplane gears from Transworld Alloys, a nod to the gear theme from the Innovation Protocol logo.

The expansive space upstairs was designed for promoting ideation in the comfort of a “living room” environment. A large portion of the upstairs environment is reserved as an open meeting space available to the entire company for impromptu social or business meetings. The large conference rooms are filled with wall-to-wall opaque glass used by meeting participants to express ideas in a way that promotes freedom of expression and transparency.

The Innovation Protocol team is comprised of 24 staffers (more if you include the canine members) who occasionally enjoy a raucous game of Rock Band in the game room or a team birthday celebration on the back patio. The office also boasts a company funded library filled with books chosen by employees based on their interests.

Where did the inspiration for your office space design come from?

The layout of the office was originally developed with the client in mind. When a client walks through the space, the sequence replicates the proprietary approach used by Innovation Protocol. This helps clients understand Innovation Protocol’s proprietary brand strategy process, but also reinforces a deeper understanding among employees.

The layout was further evolved to eliminate walls where needed to allow for the free flow of communication, and to promote personalization of the space so that the character of our company and people are on full exhibit.

What is your favorite part/design of your office space and why?

 My favorite aspect of our office space is the personality that it exudes. In every corner and on every wall, employees and visitors understand that this is a place of serious work and serious fun. There is collective personality, such as the quirky messages updated on the Red Cross banner hung in the lobby following our bi-monthly blood drive.  And there is the individual personality displayed on each team member’s workstation, exhibiting items from their creative endeavors and “passion projects”, which are encouraged and often financially supported by the company.

Do you feel that having a well designed and inspiring office has changed the way you and your employees work?

Without question, yes. This space is all about freedom of expression. It is critically important that every member of the Innovation Protocol team is empowered to speak up and be a part of the process. The design and flow of this space foster unhindered communication and collaboration.

If you could use one word to describe the feel of the office space, what would it be?

Ours.

Tell us about your company and what it means to you to have a well-designed office space.

Innovation Protocol is an award-winning brand strategy consulting firm that specializes in serving organizations that are changing the nature of their markets. Groundbreaking ideas live and die by the clarity with which they are communicated. That is why the orchestration of brand voice and visual expression of a brand are so fundamental to a successful global business strategy.  The office was designed with this perspective on brand strategy in mind.

The office layout promotes natural collaboration between the teams tasked with the various components of the brand creation process.  Markers of hierarchy are limited, which is critical in an environment in which ideas are judged and selected only by their merit and what they contribute to client programs.  Our teams are free to remain fully focused on our company’s and clients’ missions.

It won’t surprise you that our offices were designed with the Innovation Protocol brand in mind. From the color schemes (burgundy, black and white) to the artwork depicting our gear logo, no detail is too small. As creative people, we are inspired by meaningful visuals and spaces that promote inquisitive exploration.

-Sasha Strauss, managing director of Innovation Protocol

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-Sayeh, The Office Stylist

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Red, Dozer and Employee dogs waiting for treats

Red & Dozer posted in their favorite spot

Dozer & Red on their dog bed

Dozer in his dog house

About your pet 

Official Title: “Name sake of the company” 

Workday duties: Sleep, scavenge for any and all food anywhere
Breed/animal: dog, mutt lab/chow/retriever

Favorite workday activities: Getting walked or taken to the beach or for a lunchtime hike.

Favorite workday snacks: Anything someone leaves unattended for more than two seconds

Start Time: 7:00 AM
How long has Red been at the company? Red has been at the company since day one – he is an office ‘staple’.

About you

I began my career in finance, traveling 80% of the time and did not love what I was doing. After 5 years, I quit my job and started business school in NH.  

While in business school, my wife Paige and I became somewhat famous around campus because of her Tuesday night burrito recipe.  I started thinking that it was a shame that we could not share the dinner with the world. It was at that moment, while Paige was singing Meat Loaf’s “I would do anything for love…” I said “why can’t we?” I turned to my right to see my trusty dog, Red, nod in agreement.

Red’s All Natural was born.

What made you decide to start bringing Red into work?

It was an easy decision, he was the name sake of the company and my wife was at home with a 3 month old so I was not given an option…

How would you describe a typical workday with Red?

A lot of love and a little annoyance. The first couple of hours in the morning are just the dogs and I – so they run around in circles for a while and get out a lot of energy. We usually take a walk around lunchtime – or I will throw the ball to them outside if we don’t have time for a walk.  

Red and Dozer bark at anyone that comes to the door and Red goes crazy when we play shuffleboard

Would you say that having your pet at work helps or hinders your work?

I think it helps build a better working environment and culture. I also think they help to build a connection between co-workers.

What do clients think/say about Red being at the office with you?

 I have not yet had any clients complain about the dogs in the office.  I usually forget to tell clients about the dogs and they get mauled when they walk in and they leave covered in hair – but usually they love it anyway (or at least they say they do!)

Do you think more offices should allow pets at work? 

Yes, but I can understand the hesitation, it can be very annoying sometimes but to me the pros definitely out way the cons. I think allowing employees to bring pets to work not only creates a comfortable working environment, but it also creates camaraderie amongst co-workers.

What’s your favorite thing about having Red at work?

Always feeling loved. Red always has to be near me, sleeping at my feet or just hanging out nearby, his blind loyalty is amazing and I love him for it

 Mike Adair and Red work over at www.redsallnatural.com

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What it looked like before!

More after photos!

TheOfficeStylist: Describe your office to us:

The DWM offices are the headquarters for Society Awards, Mode Design Group and Ambition Beverages. The space is open, light and modern, embracing the industrial loft feeling. The entrance is highlighted by a full bar with translucent ebony sliding doors, which faces the impressive glass-walled conference room and glass trophy cabinet.  This room houses Society Awards’ notable body of work, with trophies from prestigious award shows including the Golden Globes, Emmys, MTV VMA and Movie Awards, CFDA Fashion Awards, CLIOs and, well, a whole case full of others. The focal point to the entrance area is a glittering column made of illuminated acrylic and just down the hall, the kitchen door is a reclaimed original fire door from the building, noting casting dates of 1902, which actually works and slides (with effort) in its new home. Clean lines, purposeful color/texture combinations and furniture from designer Eames to Van der Rohe accentuate the rest of the space, along with impressive views of the New York City.

 
TOS: What is your favorite part of your office and why?

 It’s hard to pick one part because I love the whole space. But if I had to choose one space I’d say my office because it’s comfortable and so personalized to my taste. I also really love the bar area, which holds all the spirits I’ve created! 

TOS: What was your inspiration for your office makeover?

I was really drawn to this building, which is the old Standard Motors building in Long Island City. The landlords, Acumen Capital, purchased the building and have done an amazing job with renovating it. It boasts the first Brooklyn Grange rooftop farm, the largest urban rooftop farm in the USA, with over an acre planted. I also liked the idea of customizing my own space from top to bottom. 

 
TOS: How did you feel working in your office before your makeover?

Before the makeover it was just an empty space, so we obviously weren’t working in here. But before moving to this space the other office felt less than completely sophisticated and incomplete. I like to have a beautiful workspace to inspire and foster creativity. 

 
TOS: How did you feel working in your office AFTER your makeover?

I love the new space. The energy in the office is vibrant and positive, and there is a really productive work culture amongst the employees. 


TOS: Do you feel it’s important to have an office/workspace you love in order to be happy at work/while working?

Absolutely. I would say it’s a vital component of a positive work experience. 

 
About you:

I am an entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of three successful companies: Society Awards, Mode Design Group and Ambition Beverages. I earned my JD in entertainment law, but quickly realized that practicing law was not where my passion was. I saw a niche market in the awards creation industry and decided to open Society Awards in 2007. 

Since then it has gone on to become the premier designer and manufacturer of high-end custom awards and recognition products for the Luxury, Sports, and Entertainment Industries. Featuring notable clients such as the Golden Globes, Emmys, Espys and luxury brands like Rolls Royce, Society Awards has been able to grow fifty percent per year through a combination of top-notch service, innovation and award-winning design.

By the way, If you have a stylish, modern or innovative office makeover  you want to feature onTheOfficeStylist, or you need help transforming your space, please email us athi@theofficestylist.com. Located in LA? We’d love to stop by and take photos of your space and profile you and your business. Love this Office Makeover? Take a look at the other Office Makeovers we have on TheOfficeStylist.

Sayeh

The Office Stylist

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How does the view make you feel when you look at it?

You sometimes want to pinch yourself that you are lucky enough to have both a great company to work for and they are located in such a scenic place.  Before work or at lunch I often try to get out for a run in trails that you see in the photos.  Alternately, there is an hour bike ride up to the top of the mountains shown.  If you take that ride early in the morning, you are treated to a magnificent view of Boulder right as the sun is starting to shine on it – it really makes you feel alive.

Would you say that having a great view has improved your life at work?

Absolutely.  If you need a break, you can go out on a short run on the trails and really clear your head.  You would be amazed at some of the really creative ideas that you can come up with when you are out on the trails.  Similarly, just sitting on the deck from which this photo was taken for a few minutes can really clear your head.

What is the worst view you’ve had from a workspace before?

I once worked in Los Angeles and after my first couple days I said to a co-worker, “I cannot believe how foggy it is here – you cannot see anything out the windows.”  The co-worker replied, “That isn’t fog – that is smog.”

If you could choose any view in the world, what would it be?

While the views of Boulder are amazing, I would have to say that some of the mountains I have seen in Switzerland are out of this world.  It is incredible how some of those peaks just jut up almost out of nowhere.

This view is from the workspace of  Ken McDonald, Vice President of Customer Acquisition, TeamSnap

By the way, If you have a beautiful, inspiring or amazing view you want to feature onTheOfficeStylist, please contact us.

Sayeh, The Office Stylist

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