When coworking spaces first appeared on the scene, they were heavily dominated by professionals working in something tech-related. While creatives tend to thrive in shared working environments, the rigidity of those early coworking spaces simply didn’t appeal to them.
The coworking spaces of today, however, are very different, so much so that artists, designers, and other creative types are forming a large part of their membership base, making these dynamic workspaces even more vibrant and diverse.
Why, exactly, have creatives been making this switch to coworking spaces? Read on as Circle Hub explores this rapidly growing trend.
More Creatives Are Now Coworking…But Why the Sudden Shift?
With coworking spaces all around the globe reporting that they’ve recently experienced significant growth among the creative community, it’s clear to see that these shared workspaces have managed to overcome some of the traditional stereotypes associated with them, so much so that creatives are now flocking to these spaces in droves.
However, what, exactly, has caused this sudden shift?
Changing Work Models
Historically, creatives used to work in traditional offices, alongside all of the other departments necessary in running a business. Just like everybody else in that company, they were regular employees.
Today, however, work models have drastically changed. Fuelled by the Covid-19 pandemic, the shift from the traditional 9-5 office job to freelancing, hybrid, and fully remote work has been dramatic. While some expected this trend to reverse once the pandemic came to an end, the opposite has occurred. The majority of professionals prefer the flexibility that these new ways of working offer, meaning that these work models are now here to stay.
However, the novelty of working from home can wear off pretty quickly, especially for creatives. The lack of spontaneous interaction, combined with what’s usually quite an isolated environment, means that sparking creativity can require more of a conscious effort. Ideas don’t flow in quite the same way, especially if you have to contend with home-related distractions at the same time.
Coworking spaces perfectly bridge the gap between working from home and working in a traditional office. They provide that all-important distinction between home life and work life, while still giving you all of the flexibility you need. They’re the perfect solution to overcoming the challenges associated with freelancing/working remotely, and creatives are increasingly recognizing this.
The Need for Community
While some creatives thrive in isolation, the majority benefit from having the support system of a community. The sense of connection that this provides helps to maintain motivation, which creativity relies on. Simply submerging yourself in the collective energy of a dynamic community can spark ideas and experimentation, encouraging you to push your boundaries and be your most innovative self.
Creatives who don’t yet ‘belong’ to a community like that can struggle. However, making the switch to a coworking space can quickly turn things around…
A good coworking space will be all about community. It’s something that we’re known for here at Circle Hub – a community that fosters self-expression and fresh perspectives. It’s why the creatives who work at our coworking spaces really thrive. With the Circle Hub community being so diverse, new ideas are constantly being ignited, and new ways of thinking are regularly adopted. It’s the perfect environment for creative energy to flow.
A Source of Inspiration
While traditional offices have a reputation for being quite drab and stifling, coworking spaces are the opposite. The mere design of these workspaces acts as a source of inspiration. Numerous studies confirm that physical environment has a huge impact on creativity, and the design of a coworking space takes this into account. From color schemes and decor to furnishings and lighting, a good coworking space will be decked out in a way that visually stimulates, restores the mind, and inspires creative thinking.
The people around you will provide you with a never-ending source of inspiration too. You’ll be able to bounce ideas off other people and seek inspiration from their perspectives. You’ll find yourself coming up with innovative solutions to challenges that would have previously left you stumped.
New Projects and Professional Growth
With the creative job market becoming increasingly oversaturated, times have been tough for creatives. The rise of AI doesn’t help, further taking things into uncharted territory. For many creatives, the future holds uncertainty, and this can be incredibly stressful.
Making the switch to a coworking space provides a pillar of stability. Coworking spaces are extremely useful for professional growth, with statistics showing that 82% of people who work from a coworking space expand their professional networks while they’re there. This, of course, can quickly lead to new projects. With 78% of businesses reporting that networking leads to new opportunities, and 70% of new jobs filled through professional connections, strengthening your professional network will keep your schedule full, enabling you to ride through any tough times that may arise.
A Professional Environment When Needed
If you want to ensure that you make it through the turbulent times that creatives will soon be facing, you need to understand the importance of having a professional environment to fall back on. Even if you resonate with the stereotype of artists thriving in messy environments, there will be times when you’ll need to exude a more professional and even corporate image. With more competition than ever before, you’ll need to go above and beyond if you want to keep making a name for yourself.
Whether you’re attending a video conference with a new client, have a face-to-face meeting with a potential partner, or want to seek feedback from a few peers, a professional environment will usually be more conducive to this than your home or a public space. Being a member of a coworking space means that you’ll have access to this whenever needed.
At Circle Hub, you’ll be able to choose your professional environment based on the task at hand. While some quiet teamwork or a video conference may be best carried out in an office space, a rowdy brainstorming session would be better suited to a larger conference room. Of course, if you want to wind down afterward with some casual chit-chat, we have plenty of common areas for our members to use. Sprawl out on a beanbag, lounge on a sofa…the choice is yours!
Total Flexibility
Creatives need flexibility. There’s no getting around the fact. Flexibility allows creatives to come up with quality ideas, consider alternative viewpoints, explore deeper insights, and be more adaptable to obstacles. This is why creatives often feel stifled in a traditional office – their routine lacks the flexibility that they need for their creative selves to thrive.
Coworking gives you total flexibility. You’re in full control of your schedule. You decide when you work and how long for – no one else is going to tell you what to do.
On top of that, you’ll also be able to decide exactly where you work. Yes, you’ll be at your coworking space, but as we mentioned above, many coworking spaces offer a variety of workspaces for members to choose from. Even within the main shared workspace areas, known as Hot Spots at Circle Hub, you’ll be able to pick and choose the desk that best suits your mindset for the day. Need to quietly contemplate a few ideas? Pick a secluded desk in the corner. Want to soak up the buzz around you and kickstart your creativity? Seat yourself in the middle of the room. Being strategic about this will not only bolster your creativity but will also improve your productivity.
Specialized Resources
While all coworking spaces offer the basics, some go above and beyond when it comes to the resources available to their members. Some of these resources are geared toward creatives, which not only enables creatives to expand their toolkits, but also makes coworking spaces even better value for money.
At Circle Hub, for example, our creative members love having discounted access to our video production spaces. With both indoor and outdoor spaces to choose from, all furnished in a very versatile way, they really allow for creativity to flow. They can be booked by the hour or by the day, once again giving creatives total control and flexibility.
Some coworking spaces go even further by focusing on a specific creative niche. For example, some coworking spaces, along with their resources, may be tailored to artists, while others might be designed with graphic designers in mind.
Are Niche Coworking Spaces for Creatives Worth It?
If you’ve been taking a look at some of the coworking spaces near you, you may have noticed some of the niche coworking spaces we mentioned above. Spaces that are created purely for creatives are becoming more popular, but are they worth the higher membership fee that they usually come with?
For some people, the answer would be yes. If your work requires you to have access to specialized equipment or resources, you’re likely only going to find these at a niche coworking space.
However, for everyone else, a more general coworking space can actually be more beneficial. It gives you access to a much more diverse community, which will usually serve as a better source of inspiration. Yes, interacting with like-minded people has its advantages, but you’ll miss out on all of the fresh perspectives that you’d have gained from spending time among professionals from a variety of industries and backgrounds.
Bringing Your Creative Energy to Circle Hub
If you’re on the hunt for a coworking space that will allow your creative energy to flourish, turn your attention to Circle Hub. Whether you go with our Northridge or Ventura location, our coworking spaces are inspiring, motivating, and absolutely perfect for creative minds to thrive. Click here to book a tour today – you’ll soon see exactly what we mean!