Staging Your Virtual Office
The Coronavirus has forced many of us to work from home. And this poses some serious issues when it comes to appearing professional to your clients and boss. Especially when you're using Zoom, Skype, Facetime, or other video calling system. Here are some suggestions I have from helping set up my wife's temporary work space.
1) The background should not be distracting. Preferably a flat wall with minimal decor. All clutter should be removed. Or use Zoom Virtual/Microsoft virtual backgrounds (https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2020/04/virtual-backgrounds-for-zoom-and.html
2) Have camera parallel to wall and avoid corners, which makes space look small and strange.
3) Don't have camera facing high traffic areas of the home like a hallway, doors, playroom, etc. Make sure you are able to separate from pets, children, and other interference.
4) Have a light source (window, lamp, etc) in front of you to remove shadows from your face.
5) Set camera at eye level. You don't want to literally be "looked down on" and you don't want people looking up your nose the entire meeting. Stack books or a cardboard box under computer if necessary. This applies if you use a smartphone too. Don't wander around your house making breakfast or doing chores. The movement can be nauseating. You don't want people to avoid contacting you because it looks like you're on a roller coaster every time you talk.
6) Wear solid color shirts instead of patterns, which cause agitation and camera distortions.
7) Be aware of your facial expressions. Do you turn up your nose when you hear something you don't like? Are your eyes starting to glaze over from boredom? Take notes or have a drink to break monotony.
8) Prepare and practice. If you are sharing materials, look at them ahead of time and make sure they look good. Don't feel comfortable with the technology, practice with a co-worker, friend, or spouse.
9) Hide your video display. It diverts your attention. Now, you look great, so have confidence.
Obviously, we need to be flexible. There are going to be limitations and exceptions. You may not have extra space in an apartment. There might not be a plug on a wall with good lighting. The goal is to minimize any problems and amplify the successes.
Hope this helps. And, if you have any questions, please let me know. We're all in this together.
Michael Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.
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