Bringing your brand home
Some of the more common elements in company branding include a logo, themeline, corporate identity materials and brochures. All of these go a long way towards projecting your brand outward.
But don’t forget that your work environment is a touchpoint, too. By applying environmental branding to your office, you can reinforce your brand to those within your organization and to visitors alike. Below are a few things we keep in mind when helping our clients undertake this kind of project.
For technology client Concergent, adding a splash of their main logo color to the pillars creates a nice contrast with their desks.
1. Logo colors: Be careful when introducing your logo colors onto the walls, or large signage. What looks good in a logo may not work on the walls. A color scheme that is too bold can be unsettling for employees, and hamper productivity. If you have bright colors, consider a more muted shade. If you have dark colors, mixing in a complementary lighter color can brighten the area.
2. Decor: While it is nice to match the feel of your industry, it’s important that the interior be welcoming at the same time. For example, if you’re in the IT industry, you could hint at your technical identity with brushed metal wall fixtures, or even etched window art of electrical diagrams. But to keep things from being too futuristic and cold, you could warm things up with a complementary wood finish on your desktops, and perhaps some greenery in contemporary plant holders.
There are hundreds of possibilities when selecting your décor, including desk and chair styles, cabinet styles, lighting fixtures, door knobs and more. All can go a long way toward projecting the “new you” to your employees and visitors.
A unique upholstery pattern creates a more friendly, welcoming environment for visitors.
3. Textures: Don’t overlook your carpeting or upholstery when planning your interior. Not only can they be unique patterns in and of themselves, they can create some interesting contrast with your walls, desks and cabinets.
4. Photography: Large-scale presentations of photography can be an eye-catching visual element, but remember that small blemishes that disappear at 4 inches tall can become glaringly obvious when blown up to 4 feet tall.
5. Sketches help: Whether you use a 3D application, Adobe Illustrator or even just a pencil and paper, creating a series of sketches can help you with your decision making, and help your vendors make appropriate recommendations.
Remember, beauty isn’t just skin deep — and your brand shouldn’t be either.