Anyone have any sort of input on doing a drab office scene?
Unfortunately, yes. I spent too many years working in one of those. In general, vary up the shapes and sizes a bit.
Change the distribution of drawer shapes on the thing under the desk.
- A thin drawer on top for pencils, pens, and small junk like post-it pads. Since it is wide and deep the various bits slide around in an unorganized fashion and it is a hassle to get that one thing you need.
- Underneath is a larger drawer, usually with file holders.
At my work, the overhead shelves would open upwards, not outwards. Like a roll-top desk, only square. One of them should be open, one should be closed, for visual variety. Generally filled with useless and outdated corporate procedure manuals.
Most of handles are recessed into the furniture rather than protruding. To prevent people from whacking their hands or knees on the handle. What you have looks like kitchen cabinets.
Three walls is extravagant. That meant the cube could be classified as an office, and peons don't get offices. So you could remove the small wall on the right hand side. It makes the worker more 'accessible' to the boss, and coincidentally costs less money. I doubt the audience would care, so it can stay in if it makes for a better composition.
Obviously needs some other tings on the desk. A computer, with the monitor sitting under the open space and subject to strong glare conditions. A few comic strips pinned to the walls. A small picture frame on the desk with an image of a happier place / family member / pet. Waste basket under the desk, an office chair, that sort of thing. Possibly a tiny office plant, or miniature zen garden thing. Power cables for the computer running under the desk. The actual outlets are inside the wall dividers, but you still need cables.
Overhead should have a ceiling vent or two in addition to the lights.
In our office, the color was on the divider walls (the lower half, usually) and the furniture was all shades of gray. The desk was the lightest, the overhead shelves were a mid-tone, and the under-desk things were darker. But I imagine that's not universal.
Hope this helps,
Tourist
