Workplace Supporting Teams The framework of corporate organizations is undergoing a radical shift with changes in the business environment and developments in the field of information technology, giving rise to groups of workers with special talents in special fields. What kind of a workplace is appropriate in order to heighten the creative potentials of these workers? What sort of processes are necessary to form teams, bring out their potentials and lead them to higher achievements? How can this process be created? The concept of teaming once again calls for our attention.   ADDIS/ Berkeley, CAEIDEO/ San Francisco, California, USA A Working Studio That Conducts Sparks of Inspiration A multidisciplinary, multitalented group of individuals, working toward a common goal. Such teamwork is critical for a group that addresses increasingly complex business needs. frog design, which was featured in our Vol.7, is a design firm that has been aware of the importance of teamwork for a long time. Innovative designs are incubated in their office spaces, which transcend traditional interdisciplinary boundaries, and foster an environment conducive to collaboration and sparks of inspiration.   FROG DESIGN/ Sunnyvale, California, USA/ San Francisco, California, USA   Office for Designers Who Create "Experiences" United Airlines, Swatch, Boots and Godiva–the designs of these are some of the top brands whose designs have been created by Pentagram Design, a design firm made up of experts in industrial design, graphics, architecture, etc. and continuously creating top-notch designs with a password "Experience Design." It is among the design firms which literally lead the world. ECIFFO visited its San Francisco office, which was under renovation.   PENTAGRAM DESIGN/ San Francisco, California, USA   A Creative Office Inviting All to Participate At Addis, all work is team-based, as a team is formed for each project. However, the office does not reserve any special space for teamwork. All the staff have dedicated spaces. Even so, the first impression anyone has about this office is lively interaction. Not squeezing teams into special spaces is, paradoxically, conducive to an environment where everybody can feel free to give his or her own opinions. This office is a paragon of a "participatory" office.   ADDIS/ Berkeley, California, USA   The Art of Innovation Since its inception in 1991, IDEO has been a leader in the design world, creating a series of hit products such as the first Apple Computer mouse and Polaroid I-Zone Instant Camera. Where does its creative power come from? How does it orient its overflowing power of creation to innovation? Such queries intrigue not only the design industry but also the business world as a whole. The Art of Innovation, published in February, 2001, profusely reveals such secrets. In the following interview, Tom Kelley, author of the book and IDEO General Manager, talks about the IDEO magic.   IDEO/ San Francisco, California, USA     Creating Spaces and Tools for Team Learning   STANFORD LEARNING LAB   Project Ware   SONY FACILITY MANAGEMENT Sharing Contextual Information A team of professionals, whose total effect exceeds the sum of its parts. What kind of space can support their workstyle? The advance of informational technology has removed spatial and temporal restrictions and the structural shift towards digital economy has deconstructed traditional corporate organizations. In such a milieu, the individual members of a project team formed for a variety of missions must work towards a common goal in spite of their diverse backgrounds, and effectively combine different skills to lend themselves to achievements. In this article, how to design a space which serve as the homebase for such teams is proposed.