The information age has created one particular design element change that has affected every type of office desk. Even executive desks for those at the highest level of management reflect the idea that they simply are not using a great deal of paper. We are well into the electronic age and our office furniture admits this. The traditional rectangular mahogany executive edifice with built in file drawers is to some extent almost obsolete. Surely for banking firms and legal entities the solid wood “We have been here for 200 years and will remain so” appearance is of value. But consider this form to be more of a stage prop than a functional need.
As a worker in the field of information technology, I sit behind a desk specifically created to accommodate my working on a computer. Make no mistake, even Warren Buffet has a keyboard and screen in front of him. Modern executive office furniture is built open at the legs to allow constant pivoting and movement from screen to screen. Papers not completely out of use and file cabinets will be around for at least another century or so, but make no mistake when we think of files now we think of places on our computer that hold electronic documents and applications.