Deck the Walls

What office art says about your company

At most companies, the chances of entering someone’s private office and seeing a velvet Elvis portrait or a print of dogs playing poker is slim. Organizations are supporting their business brand or culture by choosing artwork to draw attention to a space, create drama or set a uniform tone.

Some companies are using art in nontraditional ways as a tool to tell their stories, says Gina Molinaro, furniture account manager with OM Workspace^®.  

For example, Molinaro worked with a housewares business that created a lobby sculpture by printing colorful images on the plastics used in its products. Lisa Whitaker, also a furniture account manager for OM Workspace, recalls a firm that had artistic renderings of DNA made for a conference room to reinforce its cellulose products.

When designing for a healthcare setting, artwork has the power to transport a person outside a space.

“I want the patients who enter the spaces I design to look at the artwork and take themselves away from the reason they are there,” says Kristen Ericson, a senior project manager – interior studios at CDH Partners in Marietta, Ga. 

“Art is one of the most important things when decorating an office because it gives personality to the space,” says Doug Kerwin, president of South Brunswick, N.J.,-based Metaverse Corporation.

Metaverse is one of the largest artwork wholesalers providing Web site function and content for private label sites, including the OM Workspace Office Art Center. With the click of a mouse, there is access to artwork that can provide cohesiveness to an existing space, set a tone or reflect company values.

The site is set up as a virtual art gallery. By clicking on one of the categories that describe the kind of art available, such as “abstract” or “cityscapes,” users can view pieces that fit their selection criteria. Companies can look for art based on color or a specific artist, or even explore artwork that has been recommended for a specific type of space, such as a doctor’s office or corporate lobby.

Regardless of how a piece of artwork originated or where it was purchased, art provides an emotional connection between a company and the people who enter the space. 

“Even though it’s not home, artwork makes a space feel more comfortable,” says Molinaro from OM Workspace. “If you’re in a sea of cubicles, your eye can be drawn to pops of color in artwork. It can be uplifting to not just those visiting, but also those working there.”