While authenticity should always reign supreme, there’s no harm in looking to the latest corporate design trends to get the creative juices flowing. Have you been curious about how to invest in art for your business but feel unsure about where to start? It can be a major undertaking, but you’ve come to the right place.
In addition to looking great, corporate design trends and curations offer companies real, practical value, making art a worthwhile investment and an important part of your overall branding strategy. Could you use a little help differentiating your business and attracting more customers? Great art can do that. Are you proud of your company values, but need a little help getting the message across? That’s another job for corporate art. Or do you want to invest directly in employee wellness and create a supportive, calming atmosphere that encourages greater workplace satisfaction? The latest corporate design trends can transform your business and lead the way.
But identifying your “why” when it comes to choosing art is only the first step, and now we’re getting to the fun part. From bold murals to quiet abstracts, the latest corporate design trends truly have something for everyone. Just remember to proceed with these words of wisdom from curator Victoria Gildersleeve: “Art is an extension of self expression and fundamental values. Surround yourself with works that enhance that”.
Bright Colors
It may strike you as gimmicky or pseudo-science, but studies have shown that color actually does elicit specific reactions in the brain, impacting our moods and even influencing energy levels. And those stark white walls? They’re actually the worst choice, as their cold and sterile feel can actually have a negative impact on productivity.
There’s a reason why bright colors are one of the top corporate design trends, and curators and designers understand how to harness their power. Do you want to foster an optimistic and energizing environment? Yellow and orange have been associated with creativity and inventive thinking. Trying to reinvigorate the office and get the blood pumping (quite literally)? Red has the power to increase our heart rates and elevate blood pressure, giving our bodies an extra edge when completing a physical task.
If the goal is to create a space that aids deep concentration, then blue is your best bet. Blue has been shown to have a calming effect while increasing attentiveness, making it an excellent choice for folks whose work involves complicated and intricate tasks. And if you’re still looking for a calming, neutral tone with the power to ease anxiety and foster a welcoming atmosphere, green is subconsciously associated with nature and provides a grounding effect.
“And We’re Back!” was curated with color in mind, creating an uplifting space in bustling Manhattan.
Abstracts
Perhaps one of the leading choices for many businesses, abstract art is also a prominent corporate design trend—and it’s not going anywhere soon.
A fantastic option for many reasons, abstract art has a timeless quality as it’s not defined by a particular period, a specific subject, or even, some might argue, the artist’s original intention. Abstracts are emotionally and aesthetically malleable, meaning they’re open to interpretation and eternally appealing, regardless of the latest trends or fashions. Better yet? They are generally considered politically neutral and unlikely to make waves, an important consideration for corporate art.
Abstract art also invites curiosity and conversation, creating meaningful and even personal connections with the viewer. It can be a full mind/body experience which ultimately transcends the work and encapsulates the entire space. For corporate collectors, abstract art can be leveraged to tell a story while influencing employees and customers. In fact, according to the neuroscientist Eric Kandel, abstracts surpass other art forms when it comes to connecting deeply and manifesting heightened emotional responses.
Landscapes and Urbanscapes
In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, landscapes and urbanscapes are a wonderful way to connect an interior with the outside world, which can have a profound psychological impact. Perhaps another leader amongst popular corporate design trends, landscapes and urbanscapes literally bring the outside world in, making those stark corporate walls open up and reminding us of the energy of the city or the tranquility of a babbling brook.
Also generally considered to be a safe choice and non-divisive, landscapes and urbanscapes can be leveraged in many ways when transforming a room. Is your intention to foster a sense of calm and create an oasis in the middle of a hectic day? Then a peaceful landscape might be your best bet. Or are you trying to create a connection between your business and an invigorating metropolitan hub, getting energy levels up and reminding others that they’re part of something bigger? Then you might want to select an urbanscape to breathe new life into your business.
Environmental art
Perhaps one of the more niche corporate design trends, environmental art is no less important—it’s simply a matter of how it’s applied (and perceived).
Once considered a nice perk, sustainability and other environmental initiatives are becoming increasingly important to consumers. The Harvard Business Review states, “we’re on the brink of a major shift in consumption patterns, where truly sustainable brands—those that make good on their promises to people and the planet—will seize the advantage from brands that make flimsy claims or that have not invested sufficiently in sustainability”.
This statement inherently highlights the most important consideration if you plan to invest in environmental art: authenticity matters, and now more than ever, consumers are paying attention and communicating loudly about which companies are backing up their messaging with their actions.
If environmental art is one of the corporate design trends that’s most capturing your attention, just be sure to avoid “greenwashing”, or “the process of conveying a false impression or misleading information about how a company’s products are environmentally sound”. Manipulating and deceiving consumers through unsubstantiated claims is never a bright strategy, and with many consumers citing environmental impact as a reason to support certain brands, falsely leveraging environmental art could actually backfire—dramatically.
Nostalgia
Who doesn’t want to feel the warm and fuzzies? Nostalgic art can look so many different ways, and our walls are all the better for it.
Nostalgia can also unlock a sense of escapism and tranquility by creating feelings of familiarity and, ultimately, safety. Human beings are hardwired to appreciate the familiar, and incorporating imagery that reminds us about the past can inspire calm while subconsciously establishing a sense of history or company longevity.
Nostalgic art is one of the great corporate design trends because it also possesses a unique ability to tap into many of the other aesthetics we’ve already discussed. Vintage photography and lomography feature bright colors and distorted, abstract shapes, and images of familiar places from a different era are always sure to pull at the heartstrings.
Sam Lasseter’s “Oh! Oh! Oreo” nails every detail of the original cookie, making it the perfect piece for where the factory still stands.
Murals
As the old saying goes, “go big or go home,” and a show stopping mural, either indoors or out, can completely transform an environment while communicating your message loudly and proudly. Another bonus? It can also provide an opportunity to work with local artists, which means you have a chance to make a direct impact on your local community—another quality that many consumers appreciate and prioritize.
There are many looks, of course, that businesses can choose from, but some of the most popular are often bold and bright, with a certain “Instagram-friendly” appeal, meaning that people will want to photograph it and share. Hello, free marketing!
From stylized representations of the neighborhood to cute and colorful patterns and shapes, a great mural relies on size to really pack a punch. Mix in a clever concept and professional execution, and you’ll have an artwork that will be cherished by your local community for decades to come.
With so many companies feeling increasingly budget conscious, art may seem like the last thing worth investing it. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, and as the old saying goes, businesses that fail to invest in their brand are being “penny wise and pound foolish”.
Especially with services like Readymade offering expertly curated works that ship right to your door, any business can start upgrading their visual identity, regardless of budget.
So how do you plan to get started? And which corporate design trends have especially caught your eye? Let us know in the comments!
