Sal Celis

His Work: User Experience Lead (within a large software company)

“I don’t like these buildings and they’re starting to do something about it and being a designer I’m very sensitive to that, you know they’re pretty drab and I’ve worked at really nice buildings at [company name] before.”

I ask him what he means by drab, if he could describe to me some of the things that make the building feel drab. He says the “color. There’s no art. These buildings tend to be completely enclosed.” He tells me “I think it depends on the personality, some people are more technical they don’t care what their offices look like.” He gives me some comparisons and stories about other people he has spoken with who say their nicer offices are over-rated and how the ‘window office’ actually drowns out the computer monitor and you lose a whole wall because of the window. And though he tells me does like to put stuff up on the wall he still says “I think I would like it.”

Mr. Celis says “I like to have personal stuff, pictures of my wife and son over there, and my family. I’m an artist so I like having art around. Sometimes I’ll have some of my achievements and my diplomas and things like that. I just like having beautiful stuff around, sometimes useful stuff, design stuff or things like that.” I ask him why he likes having personal things around and if it makes it more comfortable or homey for him and he replies “I think homey-ness is probably a good reason.”

Sal Celis says to me “I like intense colors” but not necessarily on the walls, but he tells me that the tan walls are a bit depressing. Since he is a designer and an artist I ask him about some of the upgrades or things that he would change in the building and office and he has some great suggestions taking into account some minor details that might have a big impact. He talks about things like adding some natural light, less squareness in the design, more curves—things that would bring psychological relief.

When I ask about his ideal workspace he tells me “I think convenience is really key, something that’s convenient and efficient where you have what you need.” He says location is important and that something close to home makes a big difference. He says “psychologically speaking, I think something comfortable and nice is fine.” Mr. Celis says that “the biggest problem here is collaboration” because his team isn’t all in the same location but this seems to suite him well because he tells me “I actually like going different places I’m the type of personality that doesn’t like to be sitting around a lot.”

When I ask him to put his experience with his workspace into a few words he simply says “drab” but he goes on to tell me about all the advantages, the usefulness of having a big enough office so that he can have meetings in there, having a table and chairs. He says the lighting isn’t great and he has considered getting some full spectrum bulbs to put in.

I ask about his experience with his work and he says “I tend to love my job when it’s something that’s challenging and interesting.” “My personality is one where I like quick decisions and get going, I really enjoy that when things go fairly smoothly and fast and efficiently”  Sal Celis tells me that he is in an “industry of fast change.”  Mr. Celis tells me about the importance of the relationships you have with your team. “When the relationships among the team are good, it makes it a lot easier, if you have a team where you get to the point where you work fairly, efficiently and you trust each other” and he says his team is at this point and works great together.