A guide to choosing artwork for your workplace
Insight
A guide to choosing artwork for your workplace
While including too many potential distractions is generally a no-no when it comes to office design, art can provide the kind of interruption that is to be encouraged in the workplace.
By offering a respite from the sometimes repetitive patterns of day-to-day office life, art in the workplace has in fact been proven to boost productivity, reduce stress and have a positive effect on workers’ overall health and wellbeing.
Whatever your style, enriching your space with a painting here or perhaps even a sculpture there is sure to add a vibrancy that inspires employees and reflects who you are as a business.
In short, it’s the perfect way to make your workplace feel like home.
Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and not everyone’s personal tastes are the same, which makes picking the right pieces a tricky business.
With that in mind, here are a few tips for what to look for when choosing the finishing touches to your space.
First impressions count
The reception area is prime real estate when it comes to displaying artwork and the ideal spot for making a proud statement about your business.
Why not choose a piece that will spark conversations among staff and clients to help put people at ease and encourage social interactions as soon as they enter the space.
Just bear in mind that first impressions really are everything. So be sure that whatever you choose to display in this area is a good reflection of your brand values and culture.
Clever curation
As we move through life, we continually mould and shape our homes through a process of editing. We add things we pick up along the way and find new homes for things that no longer serve us.
In this way our homes become a true expression of our unique personalities and the journey we’ve been on.
And there’s no reason that workplaces should be any different. After all, they are just as much a reflection of the people who occupy them.
Incorporating artwork that can easily be swapped and moved around as you evolve is perfect for keeping your space bang up to date and in line with who you are as a business.
Set the mood
Design trends come and go. So many businesses choose to keep things neutral to ensure that their workplace design stands the test of time.
But that’s not to say that colour can’t still play a starring role in your scheme. You can easily add visual interest to blank walls without needing to commit to a full paint job by having some fun experimenting with colourful artwork.
What’s more, adding the right colours to your space can have a profoundly positive effect on the emotional state of your staff, while influencing certain behaviours and shaping perceptions of your business.
Swot up on colour psychology before selecting your artwork to ensure that the hues you introduce into your space give the right impression while enhancing, rather than detracting from the mental wellbeing of your employees.
For example, while the colour red is associated with strength and passion, it can often appear aggressive or be interpreted as a sign of danger. Probably not what you want clients to think as they walk into your reception area for the first time.
On the other hand, an art piece that incorporates soothing blue tones will convey a sense of trust, intelligence and reliability. Blue is also a great colour to include in spaces that are generally used for tasks that require mental clarity and quiet concentration.
Green, with its natural associations, is of course the obvious choice for spaces where rest and recuperation are the name of the game.
However, the odd pop of yellow or orange would be ideal for inspiring happy vibes and creativity in areas where staff come together to socialise and collaborate.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that colours that work for you personally may not have the same effect on everyone. So sticking to conventional wisdom about which colours inspire what feelings and behaviours is often the safest bet.
Subject matters
When choosing your artwork, it’s vital to consider the emotional response that you are hoping to encourage among staff.
We often talk about the mood-boosting effects of incorporating natural elements into the workplace through biophilic design. But if you don’t fancy the added responsibility of keeping a living wall, well, alive, you can still bring the outside in with artwork that makes viewers feel closer to the natural world through its use of colour, forms, patterns or textures.
There is also something to be said for striking the perfect balance in terms of the complexity of the piece. A moderate amount of visual interest is to be encouraged, whereas pieces that are too simple, or too complex in colour or pattern can frustrate viewers and quickly turn into the wrong kind of distraction.
Put it to a vote
Art is subjective so the likelihood of pleasing everyone is pretty slim. However, you can up your chances of choosing something that appeals to the masses by letting staff have their say.
Not only will this relieve some of the pressure of making the decision yourself, it will also improve staff engagement by getting them involved in shaping their surroundings and allowing them to choose a piece that they find truly inspiring.
Shop around
If you think that adding artwork that inspires and motivates employees while being a perfect reflection of your brand must be eye-wateringly expensive, think again.
There are plenty of options out there that don’t necessarily involve shelling out on a bespoke masterpiece. Of course that is one option if budget allows.
Have fun shopping around. Check out online marketplaces like Artfinder which offers a huge range of original pieces including abstract paintings, sculpture and photography from around the world. It also has a dedicated service for interior designers on the hunt for artwork for their clients.
Pay a visit to the Affordable Art Fair which showcases a hand-picked selection of stunning contemporary artworks.
Or, if you can see yourself wanting to update your artwork on a regular basis, many corporate art suppliers offer art rental services that are great for keeping your space fresh and costs to a minimum.
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