Remote Working 101: Tips From Our Creatives
Open Pixel has always been a mobile production studio at its core. That means that the 100+ projects we’ve worked on for the past 3+ years have been completed from multiple homes across the globe. As a result, we’ve become quite used to interfacing with remote workers.
Collaborating remotely can present a whole new set of challenges. So for those of you who may be new to this environment, here are a few tips from the homebodies at our studio.
1. Begin building a new routine that includes sunshine and exercise during your workday or work night. Try stretching or doing small workouts while binge-ing your next Netflix series!
2. Designate separation of your in-home office. Try to keep your work ONLY inside your office.
3. Stick to your daily morning routine up until what would have been… travel time.
4. REPLACE YOUR TRAVEL TIME with a hobby or exercise that takes up the same amount of time. (Kathryn suggests a puzzle!)
5. Take small sunshine breaks; close your eyes and feel the sun on your face for about 2 min. It makes a huge difference.
6. Set expectations for your family when possible, so they can help to bring down the noise levels when you’re on a call. Keep the mute button handy. In quick situations, throw a hat or post-it note over the camera. Speaking of which…
Overcoming Technical Learning Curve of Virtual Meetings
First and foremost, buy a combination headset or camera and a microphone.
Amazon link if you’re unsure of what to search for
You can use Apple AirPods on your iPhone BUT ALSO on a Bluetooth enabled computer.
Connect your Apple AirPods to your Mac or other devices
Navigate the Virtual Meeting Spaces
Zoom or Google Hangouts. Those are free go-to options and they’re both pretty great for different reasons.
We personally love Zoom. Also, you know… a simple conference call on a cell is fine too.
Some neat features include background replacements, computer sound sharing, and meeting recording; for those who nod off in the morning. We know how hard it can be some times to be alert at the 8am meeting.
Training Resources:
For the Advanced Users: Remote Desktops
Once you’ve mastered virtual meetings, it’s time to blow your own mind with remote desktops.
If you haven’t heard the term, a remote desktop is using one computer to control another… via the internet, you know, remotely.
This requires some advanced techniques and we recommend contacting your Head of IT to ask if they can set up Remote Access for you and your teams.
If you’re on your own and you want to do something like this, Google has you covered. https://remotedesktop.google.com/access/
Note: Remote Desktop-ing requires a person to physically allow access to your machine at work by accepting the connection. Once you have, you can remotely access it from your browser (mouse control and all), and work as you would if you were there.
Also Note: Zoom also allows you to remotely access someone else’s machine as well. So in theory, an IT person could hop on a Zoom call with you and remotely control your machine to allow them to set up your machine for remote access.
Lastly, Productivity Hack: More Monitors.
If you can afford it, get an extra monitor. One of us has three and they claim to be 2 to 3 times more efficient because of it. Don’t take our word for it, try out yourself.
Our Message of Hope
There will be a bit of a learning curve. It’s OK. Have patience. And remember, you’re never too old or too young to learn new tricks. If you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to us or ask a friend or colleague who may be learning the same thing.
Stay Safe.|
-The OP Team