Designing your reception area to impress.<\/span><\/h1><\/div>![\"Hotel](\"https:\/\/iesmartsystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Lobby.png\" "\\"Lobby\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div>Your reception area is an opportunity to be more than a station to sign guests in and a desk where the security guard can sit. The reception area or lobby for your business sets the tone for how guests, employees, and partners feel about your business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhether you\u2019re designing a reception area from scratch, remodeling a lobby, or simply upgrading an outdated reception area, there are some key design components to keep in mind. The last thing you want is to ruin the visual appeal of your office reception area with extension cords, cable covers, gaffer tape, or any other DIY technology bandaid.<\/span><\/p>\nI.e. Smart Systems specializes in working with architects, designers, and contractors to integrate the right technology infrastructure into your space. Your lobby is the gateway to your organization, and by taking the time to plan your IT infrastructure, you can save time and money, while achieving a much better experience for everyone who uses your building.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>Think of your lobby as a product, complete with features and benefits.<\/span><\/h2><\/div>![\"Law](\"https:\/\/iesmartsystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Orrick-Reception.jpg\" "\\"Orrick")
<\/span><\/div><\/div>It\u2019s true that your reception area design should fulfill some basic functions, such as logging visitors, providing a comfortable waiting area, and creating a first-impression for your business.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat you may not realize is how seemingly small decisions can have long-term consequences for your business. Is there enough seating? Where is the charging station for visitor\u2019s phones and laptops? Will the primary reception desk be large enough to hold all the equipment, storage, and workspace your reception staff needs?<\/span><\/p>\nThe layout of the reception area can greatly impact the first experience of a visitor. The experience impacts the mental space, which might impact the meeting the follows this waiting time, be that a vendor meeting, negotiation, or job interview.<\/span><\/p>\nOr, in the current climate, the design could impact your ability to even do business.<\/span><\/p>\nLet\u2019s say you\u2019re setting up a lobby for a medical practice. Before the days of coronavirus it was common to offer lots of seats close together \u2014 just to maximize space for patients in waiting. In 2021 it\u2019s important to create a space that\u2019s flexible, comfortable, and functional. You can\u2019t predict the future, but you can prepare for the unexpected.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>Example: Inviting patients into a great experience.<\/span><\/h3><\/div>Hospitals can be confusing places for visitors, and especially for patients (who aren\u2019t feeling all that great to begin with). Incorporating self-check-in kiosks and clear digital signage can alleviate that confusion. By thinking about the visitor\/patient experience holistically, you can design a lobby or reception area that invites, comforts, and supports without feeling overly sterile.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>Great reception area design can enhance your brand.<\/span><\/h2><\/h2><\/div>![\"Video](\"https:\/\/iesmartsystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Video-Wall.png\" "\\"Video")
<\/span><\/div><\/div>While you are planning the design of your lobby, it\u2019s helpful to think back on your own experience in reception areas and lobbies. Sure, a pretty lobby looks great on a brochure, but if it leaves your visitors feeling unsure about whether they\u2019re allowed to sit down or touch anything, you\u2019ve missed the mark (unless your brand is about intimidation).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhat are the colors that represent your brand? Although you may be tempted to use your company\u2019s color scheme throughout, it\u2019s better to leverage neutral tones for the largest spaces and splash color in judiciously.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div>Your reception area is an opportunity to be more than a station to sign guests in and a desk where the security guard can sit. The reception area or lobby for your business sets the tone for how guests, employees, and partners feel about your business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re designing a reception area from scratch, remodeling a lobby, or simply upgrading an outdated reception area, there are some key design components to keep in mind. The last thing you want is to ruin the visual appeal of your office reception area with extension cords, cable covers, gaffer tape, or any other DIY technology bandaid.<\/span><\/p>\n I.e. Smart Systems specializes in working with architects, designers, and contractors to integrate the right technology infrastructure into your space. Your lobby is the gateway to your organization, and by taking the time to plan your IT infrastructure, you can save time and money, while achieving a much better experience for everyone who uses your building.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> It\u2019s true that your reception area design should fulfill some basic functions, such as logging visitors, providing a comfortable waiting area, and creating a first-impression for your business.<\/span><\/p>\n What you may not realize is how seemingly small decisions can have long-term consequences for your business. Is there enough seating? Where is the charging station for visitor\u2019s phones and laptops? Will the primary reception desk be large enough to hold all the equipment, storage, and workspace your reception staff needs?<\/span><\/p>\n The layout of the reception area can greatly impact the first experience of a visitor. The experience impacts the mental space, which might impact the meeting the follows this waiting time, be that a vendor meeting, negotiation, or job interview.<\/span><\/p>\n Or, in the current climate, the design could impact your ability to even do business.<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s say you\u2019re setting up a lobby for a medical practice. Before the days of coronavirus it was common to offer lots of seats close together \u2014 just to maximize space for patients in waiting. In 2021 it\u2019s important to create a space that\u2019s flexible, comfortable, and functional. You can\u2019t predict the future, but you can prepare for the unexpected.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> Hospitals can be confusing places for visitors, and especially for patients (who aren\u2019t feeling all that great to begin with). Incorporating self-check-in kiosks and clear digital signage can alleviate that confusion. By thinking about the visitor\/patient experience holistically, you can design a lobby or reception area that invites, comforts, and supports without feeling overly sterile.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> While you are planning the design of your lobby, it\u2019s helpful to think back on your own experience in reception areas and lobbies. Sure, a pretty lobby looks great on a brochure, but if it leaves your visitors feeling unsure about whether they\u2019re allowed to sit down or touch anything, you\u2019ve missed the mark (unless your brand is about intimidation).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What are the colors that represent your brand? Although you may be tempted to use your company\u2019s color scheme throughout, it\u2019s better to leverage neutral tones for the largest spaces and splash color in judiciously.<\/span><\/p>\nThink of your lobby as a product, complete with features and benefits.<\/span><\/h2><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>Example: Inviting patients into a great experience.<\/span><\/h3><\/div>
Great reception area design can enhance your brand.<\/span><\/h2><\/h2><\/div>
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![\"Interior](\"https:\/\/iesmartsystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/southwestern-energy-campus-interior-security-checkpoint-2.jpg\" "\\"southwestern-energy-campus-interior-security-checkpoint-2\\"")
<\/span><\/div>![\"Lobby](\"https:\/\/iesmartsystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Post-Oak-Lobby.jpg\" "\\"Post")
<\/span><\/div>![\"i.e.](\"https:\/\/iesmartsystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/IESS-Icon-Only.png\" "\\"IESS-Icon-Only\\""){kind=icon}
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