Make Space • How To Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration

by Scott Doorley & Scott Witthoft

Space is more than just the physical environment. This book is about creative spaces and about creating spaces.

An inspiring guidebook filled with ways to alter space to fuel creative work and foster collaboration.

Based on the work at the Stanford University d.school and its Environments Collaborative Initiative, Make Space is a tool that shows how space can be intentionally manipulated to ignite creativity. Appropriate for designers charged with creating new spaces or anyone interested in revamping an existing space, this guide offers novel and non-obvious strategies for changing surroundings specifically to enhance the ways in which teams and individuals communicate, work, play--and innovate.

Inside are:
Tools. Tips on how to build everything from furniture, to wall treatments, and rigging
Situations. Scenarios, and layouts for sparking creative activities
Insights--bite-sized lessons designed to shortcut your learning curve
Space Studies. Candid stories with lessons on creating spaces for making, learning, imagining, and connecting
Design Template. A framework for understanding, planning, and building collaborative environments

Make Space is a new and dynamic resource for activating creativity, communication and innovation across institutions, corporations, teams, and schools alike. Filled with tips and instructions that can be approached from a wide variety of angles, Make Space is a ready resource for empowering anyone to take control of an environment.

The one of a kind layout of Make Space was designed by Scott Stowell at Open

About the Authors

Scott Doorley is a writer, designer, and the creative director at the Stanford d school. He has overseen everything from books to workspaces to digital products and initiatives focused on the future of learning and design. He co-wrote two books: Assembling Tomorrow: A Guide to Designing a Thriving Future and also Make Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration. His work has been featured in museums from San Jose to Helsinki and in publications such as Architecture + Urbanism and the The New York Times.

Scott Witthoft works as an educator, designer, and author. Drawing from his past life in the practice of forensic structural engineering, he incorporates that expertise with current pursuits in space, furniture, and product design—teaching & speaking widely. He is co-author of the book, Make Space — a tool for creating collaborative environments. He has also authored articles for the Conference Board and Harvard Business Review. His work has been featured in The Design Museum and publications such as Fast Company, Architecture and Urbanism, and Metropolis.