Put your feet in the sand (not your head)

The conference room in the publications department where I work has a sandbox instead of a table and chairs. We ask our clients to take off their shoes and sock and sit on the edge with us to discuss their projects. The university administrators, in their suits, look a little awkward at first, but they relax after ten or fifteen minutes. The professors seems to enjoy the playground atmosphere. We also had a beach shower installed to wash the sand off your feet after the meetings are over. I can’t document it, but I swear our work has gotten a lot more creative since we did away with the table.

Alright, I’m kidding. Convention rules in my office, just like it does in every other publications office at every other such institution. And maybe a sandbox would be a little over the top for the academic culture. But what simple, inexpensive idea can you think of that would boost creativity — and productivity — in your department without threatening its established culture (too much)? Here’s just one: Meet regularly for crits, like you did in school. No, really. Your work can only benefit. Bring food.