Glass Dry Erase Boards

Part II: Whiteboards and Doodling in the Workplace

by Team Clarus on May 2, 2012

Social Media giant, Facebook Inc. is one of the companies taking advantage of the doodling trend, and are incorporating whiteboards, glass whiteboards and even chalk boards on all sorts of spaces around its office to spark creativity. Everett Katigbak, a communication designer at Facebook, says “the hand is the easiest way to get something down,” and the company’s office is filled with doodles ranging from statistical and mathematical equations all the way to cat and dog cartoon sketches. In fact, most of Facebook’s office walls have been coated in dry-erase paint or glassboards to promote creativity at every turn.

Other companies are also realizing and reaping the benefits of doodling. Software maker, Citrix Systems Inc opened a “design collaboration” workspace in its headquarters last summer, where they encouraged their engineers and other employees to put down the smartphones and gadgets and to pick up a marker. Not all employees have loved the idea, especially those who believe they are less artistically-inclined or creative than their colleagues; however participants at Citrix are encouraged to start off meetings with drawing a self-portrait or simple sketch to get their more comfortable with the idea. Many managers love the idea, and think its natural to want to illustrate your point. For that reason, Citrix has surfaces covered in whiteboards and glass whiteboards, to make doodling easy. They even take the idea one step further and keep pipe cleaners and foam balls handy to help create 3-D models.

Still, some companies haven’t had the greatest transition with the concept, and have created workshops for managers to learn the simple ideas of doodling for communication. Spectrum Health System in Grand Rapids, Michigan held a workshop for technology managers to learn the ins and outs of what they call “visual problem solving.” This workshop showed managers that even simple images like stick figures and arrows can help explain the complexities of the healthcare industry. For the sake of time and simplicity, many companies encourage rough sketches and doodles, since you’re only trying to convey an idea, not paint a beautiful picture.

All kinds of companies are realizing the benefits of sketching and adding visual representations to their offices. Turner Broadcasting System Inc. drew a Turner Classic Movies tree, which branched out in three different directions, helping show the direction the brand was going. This simple exercise yielded over 200 ideas and many employees felt the visual was extremely powerful.

About Clarus Glassboards: Clarus is the leading manufacturer and innovator of glass whiteboards and glass visual display products. For more information about clear dry erase boards and our other glass architectural systems, please call 888-813-7414 or visit www.clarusglassboards.com.

Part I: Whiteboards and Doodling in the Workplace

by Team Clarus on April 30, 2012

Humans have always communicated through drawing; it’s one of the most primitive, yet effective ways to communicate across the board. Interestingly enough, most companies have lost sight of this fact and their form of communication has moved to a more black and white, pen and paper system. More recently, even, with everything going towards web- and computer-based systems, we’ve come close to eliminating the need for pens entirely. So how do employees unleash their creativity on a keyboard? They don’t.

Many companies are recognizing that we may have taken our smartphone, social media and internet obsessions just a few steps too far, and we’ve nearly eliminated the use of the old-fashioned pen and paper. For this reason, many companies are taking a step back and encouraging their employees to pick up a pen…or better yet, a marker or crayon! That’s right, many companies are encouraging the use of visual note-taking and brainstorming to help not only convey your concepts to colleagues more effectively, but to unleash their pent-up creativity.

Many large companies are jumping on the doodling idea. Companies like Zappos and HomeAway Inc., have reported that they’re hiring “graphic recorders,” which are consultants who sketch the ideas being discussed in meetings and conferences, to help give employees a visual and keep them engaged in the conversation.

HomeAway, a Texas vacation-rental company, hired the “graphic recorder” to help guide meetings with visual sketches and shorthand. The VP of human resources said that the aim was to “capture ideas using images” and that the meetings were much more fun and beneficial than being surrounded by spreadsheets and emails all day. The graphic recorders trained employees at HomeAway to use doodling more for communication, and their glass marker board still hangs at the company’s headquarters, as a fun reminder of how powerful visual communication can be.

Studies have actually shown that doodlers retain more information than nondoodlers. One psychology professor at the University of Plymouth in England explains that the logic is that doodling takes just enough cognitive energy to prevent employees from daydreaming or drifting off. Not only does doodling keep employees focused, many proponents of the idea say that doodling helps simplify communication, fuel collaboration and generate new ideas. Doodling is also extremely beneficial for companies with global colleagues, since images can help break down culture barriers and communication issues.

About Clarus Glassboards: Clarus is the leading manufacturer and innovator of glass whiteboards and glass visual display products. For more information about clear dry erase boards and our other glass architectural systems, please call 888-813-7414 or visit www.clarusglassboards.com.

Healthboards: Hospital Glass Dry Erase Boards for Patients and Staff

by Team Clarus on April 11, 2012

Hospitals have long used whiteboards for patient rooms, nurse stations and critical care areas to make sure the staff, patient and patient’s family were all on the same page. While whiteboards can become worn and used in a few short years, there is a new product out for hospitals that is not only a more durable and long-lasting product, but is actually anti-microbial and non-staining as well. These healthboards are made from a tempered glass and there’s no end to the design options you can choose from.

Healthboards can be placed outside each room to help keep track of patients’ needs, or inside their room to help them better communicate with the hospital staff. Some of the most popular healthboards are made to celebrate a new baby! Since these healthboards are made from glass, they can have custom designs placed in the background, like a stork or cartoon baby. These boards can have printed questions, such as baby’s arrival time, their height and weight and how mom is holding up.

Another great use for a healthboard is to use it as a communication tool between the nursing staff and their patients. Make it a habit for your patient to wake up every day and report how they’re feeling and any new symptoms they may be experiencing. This boards work great, since it can be difficult for nurses and staff to get around to each room, especially when their patients are alert and awake, so these boards can help bridge the communication gap.

Healthboards can also be used in the staff-only sections of a hospital, and can help doctors and nurses keep track of whose shift is on, which rooms or wings of the hospital belong to each person and daily or nightly responsibilities. These glass dry erase boards can also be used to display the names of those on staff, for patients and families looking for a specific nurse or doctor.

Healthboards are a much better option than the typical whiteboard because they give a clean and professional look, allow for custom designs to be printed, and come in various shapes sizes and colors. The streak-free and stain-free glass help keep the boards looking fresh and new for their entire lifespan. These glassboards are installed into the wall and can give off a polished and branded look to any hospital.

About Clarus Glassboards: Clarus is the leading manufacturer and innovator of glass whiteboards and glass visual display products. For more information about clear dry erase boards and our other glass architectural systems, please call 888-813-7414 or visit www.clarusglassboards.com.

Installing your New Glass Marker Board

by Team Clarus on April 10, 2012

So you’ve finally purchased your first glass whiteboard! While it’s extremely exciting to receive the oversized package in the mail, it can be a bit intimidating for the less than handyman types. However, have no fear; installing your board is a simple and quick process! First thing you will want to do is make sure you have all your hardware and tools:

Hardware – Depending on the size board you received, you will be supplied with either four or six of each of these items:

Wall Anchors
Screws
Standoffs

Tools – You will need to supply your own tools, including:

A drill
Level
Tape Measurer
Blue Tape
Screwdriver

Step 1: Template Now that you’re ready to mount your glass board, you will find a paper template the exact size and shape of your board. You will use this template to decide where your board fits best in your room. Use your level to make sure your template is centered and level and use your tape to hold it in place. You can leave the template up and drill through the pre-marked holes, to ensure accuracy.

Step 2: Drill and Anchor Drill at each pre-marked hole; for smaller boards, you will only have one per corner, but larger boards will have two extra standoffs for support. Once you’ve drilled your holes, remove the template and screw in the wall anchors.

Step 3: Install Standoffs Your standoffs hold the board in place, but don’t affix it to the wall, which gives depth and creates a modern look. Your standoffs need to be screwed into the wall anchors. Make sure your standoffs are firmly installed into the wall.

Step 4: Insert Thread Studs Your standoff should come in three pieces: your anchor piece that gets screwed into the wall, the thread stud and washer that cap off the anchor piece and your standoff caps, which finish off the look and secure the board in place. After your standoff anchors are screwed into the wall, screw the thread studs into place using your hand.

Step 5: Hang your Board Finally! It’s time to hang your beautiful glass board! It’s always smart to have at least two people hang the board, especially if you’ve purchased a larger board. Line up the holes in your glass marker board with the standoff pieces and simply screw on the standoff caps until they’re firmly in place. Voila! You have your board installed in a matter of minutes!

About Clarus Glassboards: Clarus is the leading manufacturer and innovator of glass whiteboards and glass visual display products. For more information about clear dry erase boards and our other glass architectural systems, please call 888-813-7414 or visit www.clarusglassboards.com.

Customized Glassboards

by salesteam on April 5, 2012

Whiteboards are on their way out; they are hard to clean, have problems with streaking and ghosting and are not the most eco-friendly boards to produce and manufacture. Whiteboards were a great first step in revolutionizing the blackboard; they offered a chalk-free, more natural ‘black on white’ surface for teaching.

While the whiteboard absolutely changed the way we look at teaching boards and their potential, they are no longer the newest and most effective product on the market. When it comes to teaching boards, the newest product is the glass whiteboard. These boards are not only extremely durable and easy to clean, but they’re environmentally friendly and contain fewer chemicals than the traditional whiteboards.

So why order a custom glassboard, instead of another new whiteboard?

Durability – If you really get good use out of your whiteboard, it could easily need to be replaced every 5 or 6 years due to   streaking, ghosting and general wear and tear. Glassboards will never have those problems; they never streak, are impermeable to markers, both dry erase and permanent and will never fade or discolor. Since glass boards are made from an incredibly durable tempered glass, they can last for decades.

Design – A custom glassboard gives your office the exact look it’s needed. You have tons of options for customizing your space, including a clear glassboard, a frosted glass one, or a more traditional black or white board. If you really want to get creative, you can opt for a back-painted board or a magnetic glass whiteboard, to get the most use out of the board as possible. 

Branding – Ordering a custom board takes your glassboard from a functional office tool, to a branded office fixture. Customizing your glassboard with your company’s logo or school mascot is a great way to show support, and to show your clients or students that they’re in good hands.

 

Like the look of a clean office space? Opt for the clear glassboard with matching glass storage tray. This tray is compact and translucent, so you can

store your dry erase markers with ease. Staying organized has never been so easy!

One glassboard company, Clarus Glassboards, offers free custom sizing for any of your glassboard needs. If you think your office may be too small or awkwardly shaped to fit a glassboard, all you have to do is give them a call and they can help solve your sizing needs.

About Clarus Glassboards: Clarus is the leading manufacturer and innovator of glass whiteboards and glass visual display products. For more information about clear dry erase boards and our other glass architectural systems, please call 888-813-7414 or visit www.clarusglassboards.com.

Clarus Glassboards is Giving Away Products!

by salesteam on March 13, 2012

      Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter

We are giving away a personal sized Clarus Glassboard in celebration of March Madness to two lucky Winners!

Want to Play?

Good way to enter…

   Like us on Facebook & Write your favorite March Madness team name on our Facebook page.

Better way to enter…

   Get Creative!  Follow us on Twitter and use #GlassWhiteboards in your Tweet about why you should win a Clarus Glassboard

Best way to enter…

   Follow us on Twitter and use #GlassWhiteboards in your Tweet about why you should win a Clarus Glassboard including your March Madness top pick!

Don’t forget that each @reply including #GlassWhiteboards is one entry. You can enter as many times as you want!

Contest ends March 31 and the winners will be announced April 2!

Get Started!

     Like us on Facebook      Follow us on Twitter

Contest Rules

1. Follow @ClarusBoards on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/ClarusGlassboards
2. Send an @reply to @ClarusBoards and use hashtag #GlassWhiteboards
3. Each eligible tweet counts as one entry. Please feel free to enter as many times as you would like. Becoming a fan on FB counts as one extra entry.
4. You must be 18 years or older and be able to verify your age.
5. You must have a U.S. Mailing Address
6. Contest begins March 13, 2012 and Contest ends March 31, 2012 and a 16″ x 20″ Clarus Clear Glassboard will be given to 2  contest winners.
*Note: No purchase necessary to win. The winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries. You must reply to the DM within 48
hours with your mailing address and age verification. We have the right to exclude people who aren’t abiding by our contest rules or the
Twitter terms of service. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours another randomly selected winner will be chosen from all eligible
entries. This contest is is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook or Twitter.

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