Vogtland, 08.08.25

Hi, my name is Volker and I work as a Senior Art Director at our company. For many years, I was used to working in a well-organized open floor plan office, side by side with my colleagues.

On one hand, it was a fantastic environment: short distances made spontaneous coordination with teammates easy, many things worked on a verbal cue, and our creative break time chats often led to quick, no-fuss solutions. Not to mention the coffee bar and snack station – absolute essentials for creative minds like ours.

Sounds great, doesn't it? But there was a catch. In my field, where deep creative immersion is crucial, I often needed silence. No constant phone ringing, no quick "Hey, do you have a sec?", and no printer issues interrupting the flow. That's why I often ended up finishing important tasks in the quiet of the evening at home. And yes, that can be quite productive too.

I live somewhat off the grid. Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic – but I do live in a small house nestled in the Vogtland region, between two villages, surrounded by forest. Slightly remote? Sure. But I love it. This is where I feel at home – between the lush greenery, the birds' singing, and the deer that occasionally visit my backyard. And it's here that I've been working full-time for the past two years.

Thanks to today's flexible options, a dedicated home office, a strong internet connection, and top-tier technical equipment (something my company takes very seriously – quote: "Your ability to work must always be guaranteed"), remote work has become part of my daily routine. Admittedly, a 300 km daily commute wouldn't be very practical. Although – I have to confess – I'd consider it just for the sake of my team. And yes, I truly look forward to our team days, when the whole crew comes together in one place for a few days.

You might be wondering: how do you structure the day in your home office? Isn't it tempting to get distracted or put off important tasks?

For me, the answer is simple: set your own rules. I, for instance, get up early every day. While sipping my first coffee, I check my emails, and by 6 AM, I'm dressed and sitting at my desk, ready to go. Sweatpants? Grungy hoodie? Not my thing. My golden rule: act and feel just as you would in your company office at 8 AM. I'm not saying you can't be just as productive in your favorite hoodie and slippers – if that works for you, great! Who am I to judge? I just know what works for me.

What about distractions – kids, pets, life at home? Again, it's all about discipline and structure. As the proud owner of a cat (or perhaps the cat owns me – depends on the day), I know how it goes. Sometimes you just have to gently remove a furry friend from your keyboard… or your yoga mat.

Wait, yoga mat? Yep, you heard that right. Even from home, we benefit from our company's personal trainer. Live-streamed workouts via Teams make it possible. And yes, Lisa already knows that my cat insists on joining our sessions.

My Conclusion: Home office can absolutely work. Like everything in life, it has its perks – and the occasional drawback. But in the end, it's a personal decision. Our offices in Meißen and Dresden are also fantastic spaces for collaboration and connection.

Purr purr,

Volker