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Visual artwork is more than a decoration. It can strengthen a company’s culture and reflect its history and identity, enhancing employee experiences and making an impact on clients and visitors.
However, to accurately reflect a company’s core values and make powerful statements about its mission and purpose, some key factors need to be considered. The type of art, application, media, and the use of materials, colours, and space all play a key role in corporate artwork projects. Only by getting these elements right will organisations achieve successful outcomes and communicate who they are, effectively and impactfully, through workplace art installations
Different businesses will naturally be inclined towards different forms and styles of art, with the specific artwork creating a particular impression on the viewer. This impression should be tailored to your business and brand, and carefully aligned with how you want your company to be perceived.
Media and marketing companies tend to lean towards artworks that are expressive and playful in nature, promoting creativity and innovation. Such artwork is likely to be abstract, featuring dynamic gestures and bold uses of texture and colour.
Insurance, legal, and finance firms, on the other hand, often want something more sophisticated, serious, and traditional, in line with the ambiance and aesthetic of professional services. For such companies, artistic representations of famous city skylines or architectural landmarks may be popular choices, creating links with centres of commerce and corporate activity.
Tech companies might want to incorporate LED screens into their workspace to display moving image art and create an immersive visual experience. Such innovations reflect the dynamism and entrepreneurial flair of tech culture, articulating bold, forward-thinking ideas to employees and clients.
For new or startup enterprises, lower-cost options may be necessary. By sourcing artwork from up-and-coming artists or recent art graduates, companies can achieve the desired aesthetic impact without exceeding their budget.
By contrast, established businesses with deeper pockets may desire more credible, collectible pieces that reflect and enhance their reputation. Looking to tap into conventional perceptions of corporate success, these businesses might present their artwork as an investment or prized asset, conveying financial strength and confidence.
Of course, each company is different, and we shouldn’t be too specific or prescriptive about artwork selection. What’s important to recognise is that, within these general trends and assumptions, what works for one company may not work for another – corporate identities and personalities are unique, and so too are the art styles that will resonate with them.
Within your workplace premises, the spaces you select to exhibit your artwork will be critical. The type of space you choose, and the function and dynamics of that space, will determine how an artwork is perceived. Location is key, as each space will create a unique impression, so you’ll want to tailor your artwork to maximise the impact of the environment.
Receptions
Reception areas are vital spaces for workplace artwork. As the initial point of arrival within a building, they help to formulate first impressions of a company or organisation. Artwork within reception areas, therefore, plays a key role in shaping those impressions, enabling you to achieve high visibility and set the tone for your work environment.
The significance of this location should not be underestimated, and artworks selected for receptions should be treated as statement pieces. Typically, large-scale paintings, featuring strong forms and bold colours, work well in these spaces. Indeed, receptions present a chance to showcase your brand identity and leave a lasting impression on the viewer. Whether it’s a client crossing the threshold for the first time or an employee arriving to work each day, this unique vantage point holds huge potential for reinforcing company values.
Boardrooms
Boardrooms are exclusive, formal spaces where important decisions are made and C-Suite meetings and presentations take place. They are, therefore spaces where your company will want to make a strong but dignified impression, calling for more serious artwork that conveys authority without any harsh distractions. Corporate photography, classic paintings or minimalist illustrations are known to work well here, communicating integrity and professionalism and encouraging elevated business discourse.
Hallways and corridors
While hallways and corridors are transitional zones, they can still present an opportunity for artwork to be installed. They can therefore be leveraged to enliven people’s journey from A to B within your building. Across these spaces, well-chosen paintings or photography can enhance the overall atmosphere, brightening moods or gently reaffirming brand values, as people transition through your workplace.
Meeting rooms and open workspaces
In meeting rooms and open workspaces, artwork can be used to energise, motivate and inspire employees and other key stakeholders. These spaces are your engine rooms of creativity – and by installing thought-provoking and engaging pieces, you can help stimulate ideas and encourage problem-solving and teamwork. Conceptual or abstract art is a good option for these areas, with ‘colour psychology’ (see below) employed to evoke the particular emotion.
When considering your artwork options, there’s a variety of media to choose from – for example, painting, photography, printing, textiles, sculpture or digital art. Different media will be suited to different types of spaces, and your selection should align with your business’s core interests, characteristics and focus areas.
Applications, meanwhile, refer to how your artwork is presented and displayed – for example, whether it’s framed or frameless, mounted onto Dibond, hung directly onto the wall, or a sculptural piece installed on a plinth. And once again, your choice of application should correspond to the ambiance you want to create. A vintage picture frame, for example, might help to communicate traditional corporate values, while frameless artwork might work well in a contemporary office space, perhaps suggesting an unconventional business mindset.
Within your workplace, certain spaces will provide opportunities for specific media and applications. Flat walls lend themselves to traditional, framed fine art, such as painting or photography. Curved walls can support bowed LED screens to display moving image visuals. As an alternative, a graphic wall wrap can be used to make the wall impactful. Large open spaces are perfect for sculptural installations, enabling you to create a statement piece, focal point, or encourage a particular flow of movement within a space
Whatever your choices, you must consider the material of your walls, as this will dictate the type of media and application that can be displayed. Load-bearing walls, which provide core structural support, will be able to withstand heavy, large-scale paintings and LED displays. Plaster partition walls or ‘stud walls’ might not, and could crack or crumble under pressure. Remember – workplace art is meant to lift people, not bring walls down! So, make sure you check before you install!
If your workplace art is to faithfully reflect your business, you need to consider its psychological effect on the viewer. What kind of impression do you want your artwork to have? How do you want it to make people feel and behave?
The psychological impact of art is the focus of an experimental science known as ‘neuroaesthetics’. This field of study assesses how art can stimulate positive changes in the human brain, leading to intensities of feeling and unconscious appreciation of qualities such as light, colour and form. These responses often have strong causal links with reduced stress, enhanced mental wellbeing, improved mood and greater workplace cohesion.
Similarly, ‘colour psychology’ refers to the impact of specific colours on human feelings and behaviour. The colour blue, for example, is known to promote stability and calm. Yellow is associated with optimism and cheerfulness, while green is linked with balance, safety and growth. Conversely, red is known to stimulate passion and energy.
Both neuroaesthetics and colour psychology can be applied to artwork to cultivate an emotional response in keeping with your corporate culture and desired workplace ambiance. More generally, they can help to generate positivity and create happy and productive work environments. In line with these psychological impacts, artwork can also create profound associative links which leave a lasting impression on the viewer. Artwork that features historical references or classical elements can nurture trust and credibility. Vibrant, abstract or nature-based artwork is known to enhance creativity. And water-themed art or minimalistic compositions can promote relaxation, helping to create a calming atmosphere.
Artwork can also be used to reference a building’s historical context, making links with industrial or cultural heritage to create a sense of place and belonging. In addition, showcasing locally significant artworks, or supporting local artists, helps to forge connections with communities. This in turn promotes inclusivity and cultural awareness, perhaps reinforcing key values or dovetailing with a company’s charitable engagements. Similarly, art can be deployed to celebrate business partnerships, achievements and historical milestones.
By considering all the elements discussed in this article, you can ensure your artwork provides a true reflection of your business. In this way, you can begin to optimise the benefits of art in the workplace, generating lasting value for you, your employees and your company.
Get in touch to learn how we can provide workplace art tailored to your business.
Spacial Artworks
110 Lodge Hill Road
Guildford
Surrey
GU10 3RB
07738658166
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