Art in the workplace can often be a dull affair. Black and white pictures of grey cities with inspiring quotes and a few unhappy-looking pot plants are what we have come to expect as standard decoration in our offices. But studies have shown that having an alluring and inviting office can increase the productivity of its workers, and more importantly, improve their overall happiness.
The research group Identity Realism found in their 2016 study that despite the trend of offices to encourage a clean sanitised workspace, with the idea being to discourage distractions to allow the workforce to concentrate, the reality is that an enriched and decorated space is a far more effective encouragement to an employee.
Study groups from the University of Exeter found that people working in visually appealing environments (furnished with art or plants) were 17 percent more productive than those working in dull, colourless spaces, according to one study. These stats show that there is a definable increase in creativity from the employees when they have visually enriched environments. Creative employees are better employees, so it is in the best interest of the employer to ensure their workplace is engaging.
What art to choose
Art is naturally a subjective subject, so it can be tricky to pick what kind of art you want to have to decorate your office. Here are some things to consider when making the decision.
- What kind of workspace you are in. Is your office a creative space? Is there a wide variety of people from different backgrounds? It’s important to remember that everyone has a subjective opinion of art so tailoring can be tricky.
- What is your budget? Designing an office can be expensive especially if you intend on fully outfitting it with a unique style. Keep in mind how much you want to spend and what your goals are. Planning is always key at this stage and communicating with your outfitter can help get a picture of what you need.
The effects of content, texture, scale and positioning will all be addressed when making art decisions for the workplace. Green foliage, a view to the horizon, a gently flowing body of water, and grassy regions interspersed with clumps of deciduous trees are common features as they are very general and are unlikely to be too displeasing to anyone’s sensibilities.
Abstract art can also be great for decorating a workplace but can be a little more challenging, or in the case of some modern art, potentially dull. Offices are often adorned in abstract sculptures that lack meaning or aesthetic value to those that work there, instead of serving only to make a grey space even greyer.
Branding
Another great use of office decoration is to brand your place of work. When starting out with a company you may want to make yourself stand out with good graphic design that will put a stamp on your brand. Having a clear company design and aesthetic, even just a colour scheme, can really help make your company stand out.
When designing your office space, the most common way to integrate branding is through placing your logo and/or company name throughout the office and on objects, but it can be achieved in more subtle ways. Having a consistent colour scheme and a minimalist style can help to cement your company’s look and feel without spending too much on design.
Office culture
While art has been shown to improve creativity and focus the minds of workers, ultimately it is indicative of workplace culture, which is what should be solidified prior to taking any action with decoration. Having a workplace where people feel comfortable to put up their own individualised pieces of decoration or mementoes is a sign of a healthy work environment and can work great in tandem with a relaxed office atmosphere.
Ultimately an attractive workplace in tandem with a healthy working environment is going to ensure that your employees produce better, more creative work. This should be a priority for companies that want to motivate employees and show them that they are not just part of a company, but also a community.
If you are looking to revamp and refurbish your office, get in touch with the team at HE Interiors.
