Whether it’s designing software or the interior of a modern building, Juan Sanchez and Megan Moore must always rely on collaboration to carry things across the finish line. With a mix of skills, Juan and Megan set out alongside other talented individuals with a goal to create a shared workspace that could support local companies. The space, called Assembly, was no small feat, especially when a lot of critical aspects were new challenges to take on. While the space is built for collaboration, the most impactful lessons came before opening Assembly’s doors. Juan and Megan will discuss their experiences guiding the creation of a shared workspace, how it affected their growth as creative professionals and what lessons they took away working with other talented people.

1. Creative Mornings Denver • July 10, 2015
Making Space for
Collaboration

2. Juan Sanchez
Creative Director • Tack Mobile
Good morning.
Megan Moore
Principal Designer • Swiss Milk Studio

3. Collaborating to build a collaborative space.
context & background
designing together
the results
what we learned

4. From pancakes to software…

5. There was a lot I wanted to
say regarding background.
Look…

6. There’s just a few
things to understand.
I simplified it.

7. We know what we’re good
at and what we’re not.
Just like you know you…

8. The process of creating
isn’t pretty or linear.
We also know…

9. One way to describe it.

10. What about the calm beforehand?

11. But, the same variables mean
it’s easy to get comfortable.
The squiggle can be accurate.

12. What happens when enough
variables change?
The familiar can feel safe.

13. We were in a situation where
we needed to move offices.
We had the opportunity to find out!

15. We loved being in the mix with
people from other disciplines.
How could we recreate an environment?

16. A shared workspace seemed to
be a way to achieve the goal.
We had an idea.

17. Does something like
this need to exist?
We had to ask ourselves…

18. The environment is a
supporting collaborator.
The space is important.

19. felt professional
people could take pride in
people could identify with
removed friction
Could we create a space that…

20. felt professional
people could take pride in
people could identify with
removed friction
Could we create a space that…

21. Could we smooth out the squiggle?

22. The space would support
people to do great work.
If we could do that…

23. We’d all do better work by
surrounding ourselves with it.
Everyone could benefit.

24. Yes, we’re so excited!
Great, now what?
Okay, we’re doing this!

25. This is what we started with.

27. Facebook, Twitter, AirBnb,
Dropbox, RocketSpace,
WeWork, Battery
We researched other spaces.

30. That was the extent of what we
were comfortable doing.
We had reached our limit.

31. That’s when Megan stepped
in to lend a hand.
We were able to get more help.

32. A background of pitstops along the way.

33. We wanted to have
the right density.
Where were people going to go?

34. We didn’t want to cram
too many people in.

35. We ended up with:
3 offices
16 desks
1 conference room
1 phone booth

37. S E T U
C H A I R

40. In some cases, we probably
spent way too much time on
certain things.
It was important to get things right.

41. How about a
phone booth?

42. We need a
central hub!

43. Charge people
for snacks?

44. I know, plants
everywhere!

45. There were some things
we had to hold back on.
We got ahead of ourselves.

47. Would the space really
facilitate collaboration?
It was hard to know what to expect.

48. We can look at 3D models
all day long, but…
How do we test our design?

50. It made it worth the long
talks about what to do.
People were quick to give feedback.

51. People feel welcome to
make the space theirs.
The space evolves with the people.

52. A dedicated community
manager made a difference.
Someone focuses on relationships.

53. Adding a conference room
may have been ideal.
There’s always ways to improve.

54. The flexibility of plans and
communication helps a lot.
Everyone’s needs are different.

55. Here’s the squiggle again!

56. Some goals have been achieved.

57. Interactions happen that
probably wouldn’t have.
If anything, it’s great to see…

58. We learned from each other
and grew as individuals.
The experience changed us.

59. will be different than how
you originally imagined it.
Especially with others.
Anything you do…

60. Trust and listen
Be humble
Give up control
Be open to ideas
It was important to…

61. Here, let me try to
transfer my knowledge.
Hey, I know about design!

62. I normally don’t have to work
under these conditions.
What, another designer?

63. At some point, I felt like I
was just getting in the way.
I stepped back quite a bit.

64. It was so great to not
have to deal with him.
It was true!

65. There’s nothing quite like
working with a great team.
We’re excited to do it again!

66. The experience generated
more scary ideas.
It doesn’t end there though.

67. Collaboration means more
than the people you work with.

68. Learn more about Assembly at www.assembly.ws
Thanks!