A PLACE TO GATHER

In the collective mind-set, the office is a second home.

At the office, colleagues gather to work, talk and collaborate.

Even with the popularity of telecommuting, the office remains a constant. It just doesn’t feature cubicles anymore. That’s because open floorplans — offices with shared desks, work tables and limited doors and private offices — are becoming increasingly popular.

The trend exists despite multiple studies, including a recent Harvard report, that found employees are dissatisfied and less productive with constant face-to-face interaction.

Not designer Joy Cho, who has embraced the open office plan at her new Oh Joy! headquarters in Frogtown, near Dodger Stadium, with a functional but beautiful office composed of shared workspaces and large open areas where her staff of six can work, dine, cook and craft.

“Because so much of the work we do is based on collaboration of creative ideas, an open space works well for us to make it easier to connect and discuss ideas at multiple points daily,” Cho says. “What I love about our current open space is that while it is open there are now sections that divide it. That allows for the space to not just be one open box, but an open box that has some clear distinction for what goes where.”

Like her whimsical products, spanning washable rugs to Band-Aids, the office has a happy vibe. It is feminine and fun, and it works, Cho says, because of a consistent structure throughout: glossy white IKEA cabinets as background, soft pastel accents, gold accessories and fun accents. Think glittery swizzle sticks, pink lanterns, gold f lecked wallpaper, pastel-colored murals and sky-blue cement tile.

Working alongside her friend, designer Sarah Sherman Samuel, Cho removed walls to create an open f loorplan that invites creativity and collaboration.

“I wanted my employees to have an inspirational space,” Cho says. She describes it as “modern, chic, but timeless.”

Tour the industrial building and you’ll find a dining room, full kitchen, private office for Cho, a craft room, photo studio and an enclosed storage area. That’s not to say the office is completely transparent. “By giving some distinction with partial [yet open] walls, it allows us to have an open creative space that functions well for our needs,” Cho says.

‘I wanted my employees to have an inspirational space ... modern, chic, but timeless.’

— Joy Cho

Photographs by Gary Coronado Los Angeles Times AT OH JOY! headquarters in L.A.’s Frogtown, a mural designed by Sarah Sherman Samuel and produced by Limitless Walls extends down the outside of desks.

INSPIRATION is scattered all around, including among the furnishings, props and other items kept at hand for photo shoots.

JOY CHO wanted the Oh Joy! office to foster collaboration and convey the brand’s sense of fun.

THE KITCHEN is for employees — and for photo shoots. Tables provide places to congregate.

EMPLOYEES fill personal pin boards with design inspiration.

THE CRAFT room, designed to facilitate multiple projects.