The non-guru’s guide to black hat

Feng ShuiBy @the_carl

2IntroductionI am not your Feng Shui guru.I’m just a guy who thinks Feng Shui is very interesting, and personally find it to be a useful way to telegraph positive change in your environment.

At Social Forces, we strive to create fun online experiences for consumers, and believe that a fun work environment is a necessary condition of the process that creates these experiences. Feng Shui is just one tool we use to make that happen.

3Overview

why use feng shui

principles of chi

the bagUa... wha?

it’s all about intent

4Why use feng shuiWhen planning a space — whether it’s a large space, like a building, or a small space, like a desk, Feng Shui is a method of considering your space as a conduit for your life.

5Why use feng shuiFeng Shui, translated literally, means “wind and water”. It encompasses:★ The balance of things

★ Positive energy flow

★ Focus on continuous improvement

6Why use feng shuiWhat this means for your office:★ Enhanced collaboration

★ Better Usability

★ Happy people

★ Constant progress

★ Success

7Principles of ChiChi as White Space The design concept of white space is very similar to the concept of chi. It is the “resting point” you seek in white space — except that Chi is not at rest — Chi is life energy.

8Principles of Chi

Leave room for the Chi.

(the rule of thirds)The basic “rule of thirds” in Feng Shui is a suggestion that a space be 1/3 functional, 1/3 decorative, and 1/3 “room for the Chi”.

9Principles of Chi

Translation: Kill Clutter

10Principles of Chi

Allow for the Flow of the ChiMuch as the Chi needs space to BE, it also needs space to get around. This means no desks blocking the walkway or cords across the hall.

11Principles of Chi

Translation: Notoe-stubbing.

12Principles of Chi

The Balance of Chi

Chi is about balancing Yin and Yang — spreading your efforts across the different areas of your life that need attention.

13Principles of Chi

Translation: Look at the full picture.

14Principles of Chi

“The power corner”

One of the most interesting examples of Chi in effect is the “power corner” — in any room, this is the spot with the greatest vantage point; least susceptible to surprise.

15Principles of Chi

Translation: Sit where you can see stuff.

16The Bagua

front door

The Bagua is a “map” by which you determine what areas in your space relate to which areas in your life.

The following are a few slides that show how we address these areas in our office.

As you’ll see in these examples, the beauty of Feng Shui is that it is inherently rational — each of these considerations serves an important utility to our team in their work.

17Knowledge Corner

Feng Shui:The “knowledge corner” is where we keep books on our industry and other learning tools.

Utility:We have resources at the ready and in plain view.

18Family Corner

Feng Shui:The “Family” corner is where we keep a tangible reminder of our family — our client base.

Utility:We are constantly reminded of our mission to help these allies.

19Wealth Corner

Feng Shui:The “Wealth” corner includes a large map to symbolize something we value — freedom, and specifically the ability to travel.

Utility:We are always reminded there’s a big world out there.

20Fame Corner

Feng Shui:The “Fame” corner shows some of our industry awards.

Utility:Visitors are instantly and wordlessly made aware of our credibility.

21Fame Corner

Feng Shui:The “Fame” corner shows some of our industry awards.

Utility:Visitors are instantly and wordlessly made aware of our credibility.

22Creativity Corner

Feng Shui:Our “Creative” corner includes a tangible reminder of our belief in being creative: Themed room names.

Utility:We are reminded we stand for a pretty cool brand.

23Creativity Corner

Feng Shui:A tangible symbol of our belief in creativity and collaboration.

Utility:We have an easy way to share our work, which inevitably means we share it more.

24Principles of ChiThe Five Elements

I don’t fully get into the mysticism of these specific things, but I think they serve as interesting guideposts for how to address things you want to focus on improving in your space to improve them in your life.

25Principles of ChiThe Five Elements★Fire: Strong, assertive, dominant

Red, fire, candles, lamps

★Earth: Organization, practicalityYellow, brown, rectangles, soil, plants

26Principles of ChiThe Five Elements (continued) ★Metal: Thought processes

Frames, sculptures, clocks, gold, silver

★Water: Spirituality, reflection, meditationWater, vases, clear glass, black

★Wood: Intuition, knowingLive plants, bamboo, green

27For the SkepticsSound like a bit of a stretch?Like most belief systems, Feng Shui is very much open to criticism. You can believe in these principles and use them to your advantage, or you can dismiss them. My personal belief is that Feng Shui is a useful system for self-improvement through decisive action because its tenets are inherently rational and constructive. Ultimately, Feng Shui only becomes useful when it is fueled by your intent.

28The power of IntentRemember these facts about Intent★ The boogie-man effect: If you believe in it,

it becomes part of your reality.

★ Results come from decisive action.

★ Intent trumps “rules”

29Now WhatSo... should I tear my cubicle apart?Feng Shui is about intentional change, and is most useful when applied constructively.

If you wish, I believe you can use it to guide you in remembering the importance of balance, energy and the full spectrum of experiences in your life. Let it push you to make tangible symbols of intentional change. Feel free to make up your own rules. But above all, have fun.

@the_carlSocial ForcesSOCIALFORCES.COM