For this week’s reflection, I chose to focus on an everyday object in the workspace the bench outside the studio. At first glance, it’s a simple black wooden bench, but over time it has become covered in layers of spray paint and colour, where different people have added their own marks and creativity.
I often spend my lunch breaks here, sometimes alone, sometimes joined by others. It has become a small but meaningful space where I can take a break, get fresh air, and reset during the day. The bench acts as a social and reflective spot, allowing people from the studio to pause and connect in an informal way. Then this benefits everyone who uses the studio. It’s placed in an accessible outdoor area, making it open to all staff, visitors, and passersby. Its location and openness mean it can be enjoyed by people regardless of ability or purpose, whether for rest, conversation, or quiet reflection.
Although it’s just a piece of furniture, the bench holds a lot of communal and creative value. The spray paint and markings reflect the studio’s artistic environment and represent the collective identity of those who use the space. In a way, it captures the energy and creativity of the people around it constantly changing, layered, and imperfect, but expressive.
For me personally, this bench aligns with my own values of accessibility, community, and creativity. I appreciate that it’s not pristine or restricted it’s open, evolving, and welcoming. It represents the idea that design doesn’t always have to be formal or structured to have meaning; sometimes it’s about creating a shared space where people feel comfortable and included.
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