1. Music in the Workplace
Summer 2016 - Intern Project
Because the open office hinders concentration, people are using music
to focus and block out disturbances. This music increases preceived
productivity, but it is now hindering collaboration.
Thought Starters:
Jenna Cruz, Rachel Dobbin, Alex Feldman, Dakota Hamilton, Emily Markopolous, AK Sarpal, Hendrik Vermeulen, and Kyle Wood
A majority of respondants, 72%, listen to music at the workplace, and out of these,
78% find music productive. However, most of the music listeners (93%) use head-
phones for doing so, leading to difficulties in communication with colleaugues.
As organizations move towards more open
and collaborative environments, workplace
acoustics become a growing challenge.
“The ability to create a quiet environment or escape a noisy one is more important to
employees than free food or other novel amenities, and should be prioritized when
designing the office layout and planning for collaboration technology.”
-Oxford Economics and Plantronics
Insights:
Directional Speakers Sound Damping Materials Smart Music Application
Allow music to be listened to without
creating distractions for co-workers
Don’t hinder collaboration
Possible Aperature application
Block out workplace distractions (3D
printers, copy machines, etc.)
Ideal for group settings in open office
plans
Absorb rebounding sound, limiting
distractions
Provides music playlists personalized to
who is in the room
Boosts presence in technology office
solutions
Reduces time spent choosing music
Hours Listened
People
Never Up to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 30+
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Music Listened to per Week
Ideas on how to take this further