ART IN PUBLIC SPACES -
 Transforming Public Spaces With Art Versus Décor
by Michaell Magrutsche © 2007

Corporate image and branding have never been more important than in today’s business world.  The public spaces of a business, specifically the lobby, reception area and corporate conference room most frequented by clients, customers and visitors, are an extension of that company's image.  Each time a prospective customer enters your building; an almost immediate impression of your business is created.  Because such first impressions can be so critical to your company’s image, the appropriate message must be conveyed.  The proper utilization of art can serve as an important tool in enhancing your image and personalizing your public spaces.

The art displayed in your business should make a statement that your company is modern, open-minded, and creative.  It should create an uplifting effect on the workplace and demonstrate a human touch.  This can be accomplished by displaying eye-catching, engaging and bold artwork. Unlike the typical business environment, art can be utilized to express individuality and differentiate you from other companies.  In the majority of businesses today, art has been relegated to the same status in the décor as that of a lampshade or the drapes.  Your art should attract your visitor’s attention.  By emphasizing a bold piece of art, your visitor will receive an enhanced image of you and your company, and they will be more prone to remember your business in a favorable light. 

Today’s method of displaying art in businesses is outdated.  The art is exhibited ineffectively, thereby missing the potential opportunity for image enhancement.  Businesses spend millions of dollars establishing a brand and an image, but often ignore the message conveyed by the artwork displayed in their public spaces.  Therefore, the value of their important message space is diminished and their art is reduced to the basic function of wall covering.  Most corporate decors are bland and leave vague impression similar to that of other corporate environments.  Since the average person forms an impression of you and/or your business in approximately two seconds, when a client or customer enters your office, he gathers conscious and unconscious impressions very quickly.  The more attention you devote to your business environment’s design scheme, the greater the value of the message communicated about you and your company.

Although art is a familiar sight in the workplace, designers generally use it as a mere component in the overall design.  By relinquishing control to the interior designer, an opportunity to enhance your company’s image is sacrificed.  Art should be displayed as a focal point of your décor and should be selected based on its stimulating, thought -provoking aspects.  Art should be capable of standing on its own and it should make the design visible instead of the design hiding the art.   Your art will then be noticed for its own unique qualities and not viewed as an accenting element.   

Art should serve as more than a diversion from the less pleasant visible aspects of your office, such as computer cables.  By displaying bold art, you freshen your office atmosphere.  Properly displayed art can shift your guests and employees out of their daily monotony, and offer them a new outlook.  You should display thought-provoking art, which can also stimulate creative thinking and initiate conversation.  By personalizing you art choices, you demonstrate an open mind to innovative ideas.  The art you select can be integrated into your company’s overall branding/marketing efforts, and should reflect your personal values and ideals.  Art can make a creative statement and express your unique point of view.  Through your personalization, your visitors will leave your place of business with a favorable recollection. Therefore, you should participate in your art acquisitions to ensure that a positive image and personal touch is conveyed. 

Your company’s public spaces provide visitors with their initial impressions of you and your business.  Since first impressions are so important, it is imperative that these spaces reflect the appropriate image.  Most businesses display their art incorrectly and, therefore, lose the potential benefit of enhancing your image.  Businesses spend millions of dollars on corporate image and branding, but often disregard the message conveyed by the artwork displayed.  Delegating your art purchases to an interior designer sacrifices an opportunity to enhance your company’s public image.  By displaying bold art, you can freshen the office atmosphere and break up the daily monotony, inspire conversations and stimulate creative thinking.  

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for samples of my music go to:

  www.michaellmusic.com

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