Cubicle Accessories?

Given how the furniture fits in my cubicle you should probably be looking under "dungeon."

But to stay on topic, I have not seen any sort of light blocking partial "roof." I've got my monitor stuffed under the one overhead to cut down on glare.

I've never seen what you're asking for, but I know a dozen folks that would love a part of their "cube" covered for glare and noise reduction, so I called a friend of mine who works at a Herman Miller R & D facility / Manufacturing plant about your question.

No one makes a "Cover' or "Roof" for your cube because of fire code issues...I know it's rediculous, but you would need to add a sprinkler head in a lot of municipalities to reach the underside of the guarded area (like the floor under your desk is any different), so Cube manufacturers stay clear.

If your problem is glare off your monitor, you might make a hood to fit over the screen, out of cardboard or something. I got to thinking that if you do it right, your boss can't see that you are playing "DEATHWORLD" rather than the spreadsheet you are supposed to be working on. Now if we can figure out how to hide the joystick...

Bill

If for your computer monitor, try some of those full page size sheet lifters that come with good quality 3-ring binders. They're black plastic or fiberboard and can be taped together to make a 3-sided glare shield. If for the whole cubicle, it will depend on how liberal your corporate culture is. Personally, I'd prefer some Army surplus store camoflage netting, but that's me.

I have been thinking about this issue for some time - see my earlier comment on the "monitor visor". Many cubicle rats suffer the same problem - their desk happens to be oriented at the perfect angle. The place on the desk for the monitor is lined up perfectly to an overhead flourescent light fixture, causing maximum glare and discomfort. There's a potential market out there for these types of designs. Think about it - a semi-closure that not only blocks the annoying glare, but also prevents the pesky co-worker giraffes from always peeking over the other sides of your space, wiping their noses all over your cubile. Something that can reduce the background commotion and voices of the office crows, so you can actually concentrate on work.

I've had a rough design in mind for a partial cubicle cover - kind of a cross between a palapa and a tiki trellis. The materials would basically consist of some fake or treated bamboo, and some of those bamboo mats they sell in the beach shops. Cut it to size for your cubicle, attach it all together, and you have created something that will make everyone in the office envious. Add the pictures and low level lighting of your choice - you'll look forward to going in to work. Just imagine the reduction in stress!

I was thinking more in the way of a partial cloth covering that wouldn't get in the way of standing up... would be semi-transparent enough so that you wouldn't feel like it's a cave, but with enough diffusion of the overhead lights as to eliminate all glare...

Back in the day, when I had an office, I never used the overhead fluorescent lights, instead using those "torch" style lamps that just flood light upwards... Worked great to create plenty of light, but no direct line of sight to any bulb!!! WHY is it that office fluorescent fixtures have these lame ass diffusers on them?

"WHY is it that office fluorescent fixtures have these lame ass diffusers on them?"

Answer: You can have it good, fast, cheap - pick two. They picked the second two.

cubeshield:

http://www.lulu.com/content/541448

Hey try this link. I was looking for the same thing when I came across your question.

http://www.lulu.com/content/541448

Try www.cubeshield.com interesting concept

Recently my department was moved to a new building that was previously a manufacturing floor. The ceiling is three stories high and has lamps that hang down and are every spaced 20 feet apart for the whole length of the building. If you look up you will get an imprint of hundreds of white spheres burned into the back of your eyes. Within the first week of employees being there people were going home with headaches. I on the other hand get migraines. By my third week I was running to the bathroom to throw up more than I was sitting at my desk. Although I had already brought the problem up to my director, HR, and safety rep nothing was being done. I had bought a "cube shield" but the way these lights were spaced made it impossible to to block them out. An industrial workers comp rep was sent in to do a light study and found the light's were inadequate there wasn't enough light in the building to meet half the industry standards. From what I understand the plan is to replace the lighting in 6 to 9 months.

There is an empty office on my floor where I could be placed as a temporary solution. I had requested if I could move into it. But that was denied. They are very weird about who gets to go into an office. The solution they came up with was to move me to the second floor, to a different department, until the lights are fixed. My first interactions with the manager on that floor was having him tell me he "didn't want to move me" there but is having to. I'm not looking forward to my new environment. I will be isolated from my peers, and labeled a trouble maker. It really sucks because I truly love what I do, I generally can't wait to go into work and program. But now I dread the idea of it.

Anyway that's my whining for the day. If I could have a half shield up over my cube it would solve the whole problem. But they can't do that because it violates safety regulations

I got a CubeShield (http://www.cubeshield.com) a few weeks ago. It's like a tent for my cubicle. No more glare from those overhead lights. I highly recommend investing in one!

John B.