the art around you

karen klucowicz • Sep 29, 2021

corporate interiors branding

When is the last time that you really looked around your place of business to see what image it is reflecting? Do the walls need a fresh coat of paint? do you need to replace signs? do you need to edit, purge or update? Take some time now to consider your space. I'm putting on a different hat today and want to share my past life experience as an interior designer and now as a full-time visual artist to motivate your consideration when branding through your interior.
STOP.  Look around your space.

There is of course a whole psychology of colour that you can investigate and you have probably already done that to a certain extent in branding your business. You brand with your company logo and you must extend it to project a corporate image that is reflected in the furnishings of your space, the paint on the walls, the art and accessories you display. This is the art of interior branding. Given that I am all about art I'm going to focus on that here. It is critical for any space. The art art on display must be visually comfortable and appeal to as many people as possible that frequent your place of business — both your team and clients. 

What's on your walls? Let's consider the art (you know me, I'm all about that!).

"Don't limit your challenges. Challenge your limits."

"Inspirational" posters? Words (those quotes that stick in your mind) and photo's (of shiny, happy people), can inspire and motivate reflection, action and confirmations. In business the posters you can use to do this are so common now that they have lost their effectiveness (no offense intended printers, writers and photographers). If you feel that words are critical to emphasize an idea you want to convey - look for unique presentations. In a past life when designing a conference room, I did a compilation of three images - each were photography based but unique to a meeting space intended for people to gather, share ideas and communicate. The trio was: an excerpt of text by and a photo of Martin Luther King Jr.; a fun photo of Salvador Dali with the title "what makes you tick?"; and a photo of Einstein with a definition relating to invention. These posters were oversize, grouped together and had great impact on the visitors!

I recently saw a photo posting of a little girl that was mimicking the pose of a sculpture of a ballerina! 
That's the power of art — it inspires response. 

When seeking art for your space, consider your corporate vision or mission for people to land on - find a piece that conveys the meaning without words. Your team will contemplate it longer, consider the elements within it in more depth, they won't feel you're preaching, and that will resonate with them longer! Take the time to tell them about how the piece or pieces relate to the company.


All about concept.


For clients? sure give them photo's of your products or your team but add a visual arts piece that will make them feel comfortable and gear them up for meeting with you. It does not have to have anything to do with your business and it should not be one of those million of common images with no distinction – recognizing budget plays an important role in 'decorating' your space recognize the value art can bring to it, and invest in an original painting or photo that supports a living artist and is then unique to your brand. Investing doesn't have to mean expensive - local art groups, studios, and individual artists put work out there in totally accessible budget ranges.


What's your story?


For your team... You want to project a vibe - a visual story that tells your story and invites them to participate in it. Find art with imagery rooted in concept and presented in colours that convey what you want people to feel about your business and how you want your team to feel at work. The way they maintain their space will be influenced by the interior branding you do. It can be formal, casual, fun, conservative, creative! So many possibilities. You can create a rhythm of energy from the moment they walk in the door til they get to their workspace.

What is their story?


If you've been working remotely and over various video platforms, you will have noticed what is surrounding the people you're chatting with (even the virtual backgrounds tell a story). While much of what has been around them may be reflected in the spaces they occupied in office, there will also be other clues to tell you what motivates them, makes them feel good and/or makes them productive. Plain white walls, family photo's or abstract art — you've been given an opportunity to bring some of that to them at work!


You'll be responsible for the common areas to the space, however, I encourage you to allow the individuals to be individuals and bring some of their own personality and motivation to their workspace. You may feel a family vacation photo or a superhero poster aren't appropriate to your corporate brand but what if those pieces give the person a visual break in the day or incite a feeling of strength or even added incentive to perform well? Not to mention ice-breakers between team members and even with clients.

Art is critical. What we surround ourselves with and what people see we surround ourselves with, project an image and invoke feelings - consider it.

Live the power of art.©


p.s. the original art featured above are by local artists [ Jill Birks, Lee McCarthy, Angela Zheng, Tracey-Mae Chambers], all available for sale through studio k2 price ranges from $75 ~ $400 = affordable! Reach out to me if any work for your interior (karen@studiok2.ca).

p.p.s. studio k2 has a team-building virtual event (1 hour) "concept journaling to seeing" that will get your team members to consider the why's of your art, their own art and explore their critical thought process! It's a great break in a day and affordable! A great activity to consider for a holiday 'gathering'.

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