When you bring clients into your office, what do they see?

Just as your website aids in telling your company’s story, your workspace is communicating your story too, and you want it to be intentional. Over the past ten years working as an Environmental Designer for corporate clients, I’ve discovered there are a few keys to unlock a workspace that is both inspirational and reinforces your company’s brand.

1. Be clear on what you are trying to achieve and create a plan.

Investing the time in the planning stages will save you time and money in the long run. Think about what you may want to promote about your company or communicate to your employees and/or clients. Collect images on Pinterest, Instagram, etc. to help determine the message and design direction you would like to create. Use this inspiration to create a mood board, so you have a visual representation of your ideas to share with your team.

2. Determine the overall look and feel of your space.

How? Your company’s brand style guide is a great device to enlist when designing your office space. This manual helps to interpret your company’s mission, both visually and verbally. Don’t have a style guide? This would be a good time to call your designer to help you create one – you’ll find this useful across this and all of your marketing communications. A style guide provides direction on the usage of your logo as well as standards for your blog, website, advertisements, marketing materials, and yes, your office environment as well. Make good use of your color palettes, slogans and taglines that are in your guide.

3. Determine what your company needs by understanding what story you are trying to tell and to whom you will be telling that story.

If you’re launching a new campaign, why not showcase the hero product in your office lobby? When clients come to your office, let your work speak for itself by having it on display. Want to boost company morale? Consider showcasing employees’ achievements on an Awards Wall!

4. Show me the money, or lack thereof...

Don’t feel overly restricted by a tight budget. Designing a creatively branded workspace can be both transformative and cost effective. Determine the timeframe on how you want to roll out the project. Larger projects can be broken down into phases. Executing the project in phases can help with sticker shock. The main thing to keep in mind is, stay true to your company’s brand style guide.

As you continue to grow, the elements you add to your office will feel related, and your overall appearance will be cohesive. Something as simple as a coat of paint in your company’s colors on a lobby wall can be a step in the right direction toward branding your office space. Then, when budgets allow, you can have your company’s logo produced and mounted onto that wall – another reason to develop that style guide if you haven’t yet!

5. Closing thoughts on Implementation.

There are various ways to incorporate your brand into your workspace. If you are ordering wayfinding, cubicle, bathroom, or office signs, use your company’s colors and fonts. Banners and/or wall graphics can be produced and mounted inside or outside of your office.

If you plan on showcasing a new product in a few months, you can use a magnetic graphic, cling, or semi-permanent vinyl that can easily be transferred out when a new campaign starts. There are many material and design solutions that can help your company stay relevant without breaking the bank.

The possibilities are endless, and partnering with the right design firm through this process will make all the difference. A design firm can offer turn-key solutions, reduce management time on your end, and create greater accountability for getting the job done on time and on budget.

When looking for a design firm, check to see if their portfolio shows a high level of quality in both the design and final execution. Making sure the installation is precise is key to your success.

If you feel like you need help to hash out some concepts, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!