The beauty of office art is that it can give your space a sense of personality. It can reflect the culture and values of your company or organisation, express creativity through its design, and create an ambiance that inspires productivity.
The benefits to having quality work in your office are many--increased morale, better health, increased engagement with employees, choosing the right artwork for your space is, therefore, a crucial aspect of creating a good atmosphere at work. In this article, we will discuss 7 steps you need to take when having the very important task of selecting art for your office.
Image: Artelier At Consultancy
Step One: Set the Tone
The first step, as with anything you are putting together for your office is to determine what type of atmosphere or "tone" you are trying to create. The tone might be defined by your company's personality and culture. The art you acquire should seamlessly reflect the qualities and values of your company.
For example, if your company is at the forefront of technology you might want to incorporate pieces that feature technology or have a futuristic feel to them. If your culture values innovation, you might want art pieces featuring the latest in modern design and style, or if your business values creativity, then using bold colors and abstract shapes can help express these concepts through art. The tone of the space should reflect who your company is as well as its vision going forward.
Image: Artelier Art Consultancy
Step Two: Identifying locations for the art
Before purchasing artworks it is important that you decide key areas around your office where you would like art to be displayed. Identifying key locations will help you figure out the dimensions of the artworks you will need. Some areas of your office might be better suited for murals or large artworks, while others might work well for smaller pieces.
When deciding where to put the artwork, you will need to consider what type of lighting is in each area and how it affects the way various works are displayed. You will also want to think about if the art you are purchasing needs to be lit in some way and how that would affect your overall design. Depending on the mood or tone you are trying to create in your space, lighting can be a great way to highlight the right pieces and enhance their effects.
Step Three: Determine a budget
Having an idea about how much money you are willing to spend on office art is important because it helps you narrow down your options. Depending on the size of your space, location, and type of artwork you are looking for, prices can range from hundreds to thousands or even millions of pounds. Getting an idea about how much money you have available will help determine what types of pieces are feasible based on your organization’s needs and budget.
It is also important to have a budget in mind before you start looking at art as it will eliminate the temptation to overspend. If you realise that you have underestimated the cost of the type of art that you are interested in, then you can always reevaluate with your team and adjust the budget accordingly.
Step Four: Types of art to consider
There are many different types of artwork you can incorporate into your office--from paintings, murals, and other traditional forms, to contemporary sculptures, kinetic art, or even digital installations.
It might be a good idea at this stage to consider hiring a competent art consultant who can help you navigate the process of finding relevant, high-quality artworks at a reasonable price. A good art consultant should have a database with thousands of artists in all genres and styles at hand. If you would prefer to do this yourself then you may look at online galleries, Pinterest, or even local art fairs for unique pieces that match your budget and style.
Image: Artelier Art Consultancy
Step Five: Purchase or commission artwork
Once you have identified artists you like it's time to purchase the art! You can purchase ready-made pieces that will fit well within your designated space or commission an artist to make bespoke pieces.
If dealing with larger spaces a mural could be a consideration. Commissioning artists is often the ideal scenario so that you can have something truly bespoke and unique tailor-made for your office interiors. If your office however is more focused on the bottom line and cost-cutting, then purchasing ready-made works can be a great option.
Most corporate artworks will need to meet the needs of your company culture as well as comply with health and safety standards. If you are planning on commissioning artists for specific pieces, it is advisable that you hire an interior designer or art consultant who can liaise with the artists to ensure you get a great final result.
Step Six: Installing the art
When installing artworks in your office it is best to hire out a specialist team of art hangers and movers who can take into consideration the type of wall you have and the size and weight of your artworks. When installing a sculpture, be sure to have it mounted securely so that you can prevent accidents.
Framing is also an important consideration, it can easily be overlooked but can make a big difference to the final look and feel of an artwork. If you are purchasing ready-made artwork, then a well-selected frame can also add a personal touch to the piece as well as making it archival.
Step Seven: Maintenance and care of your art
Once the artworks have been installed the last step is to take into account long-term maintenance. For rare and precious pieces extra care may be required such as monitoring the moisture and temperature of the room although a good frame should protect most works.
You will also need to have an up-to-date inventory of your artworks which can be maintained either by internal staff or your trusted art consultant. In the long run, you will want to swap out pieces, acquire new works and grow the company's art collection over time.
It is important to have a yearly budget that will help grow and maintain the company's art collection over time. Creating a culture within your office that appreciates and values art by organising exhibitions and events around art will help sell the value of having a budget for the art collection to those in charge.
Final thoughts
There certainly is a lot to consider when being in charge of sourcing art for the office. Whether you work in a small office or a large corporation, adding art can have a significant impact on all of the stakeholders involved. The task can however often be complex and multi-layered, and so getting the help of an expert can be invaluable. Someone who lives and breaths art will anticipate a lot of unforeseen aspects of commissioning art saving you a lot of headaches and helping you navigate the process. This will ensure that the final result is impressive, properly installed while staying well within budget.
If you are interested in having some assistance with your collection here at Artelier we are specialist corporate art consultants. We take the time to listen and understand our client's needs in order to find the artwork that will fit within their budget and style. You can find out more about how we can help you by visiting our dedicated corporate art page or getting in touch to speak to one of our art consultants today.