by Jeffrey Sklaver

Why don’t more designers specify art? It isn’t that they don’t appreciate art — indeed, I believe that they do: many designers come to the profession from a visual arts background. The problem is that art is viewed by many businesses as a nicety and not a necessity. The design community needs to educate its clients as to the importance of including art in the scope of work for the reasons described below. They also need to make their clients aware that even if they may not be considering purchasing art before moving into their new or renovated space, by at least planning for it in the design stage, they can avoid costly retrofits later, especially for any lighting or bracing that might be required.

*Designers, Architects, and Project Managers typically rely on working with Art Consultants for this interior design portion of their projects.

A corporate art consultant is an art professional with a range of education and expertise in design, art history, art printing, and art resources to help their clients — business owners or corporations — procure anywhere from a single art piece to a multi-piece installation and/or to develop an entire long-term art program. Their extensive skill set includes understanding blueprints, making art presentations, collaborating with artists, and overseeing projects and purchases to their final completion.

Art consultants work by connecting collectors, corporations, and artists to find the right piece for space. Working with an art consultant will also help when it comes to ironing out the details of the contract, such as payment, transportation, insurance, installation, and other issues that may come up during the transaction.*

Here are four reasons designers should specify more art, more often:

In the case of large, open, collaborative areas, art is being used to break up and define a space. The chosen works are typically larger pieces to better hold the larger walls. In these areas, designers are incorporating feature walls for art. Designers are also using more kinetic sculpture to take advantage of high ceilings and murals for large expansive areas. The larger open spaces also allow for use of more art glass and innovative light installations. Textile art is also being used to soften the feel of a space and as a sound-buffering agent.

Art is also being used as a focal point for lunch and lounge areas and other third spaces where people congregate for collaboration and flexible working.

Additionally, with the decrease in the number of individual offices has come to the growth in the number of meeting rooms, huddle areas, and quiet rooms where people needing privacy can get away. These rooms also require art.

The type and style of art are selected and how it is being displayed is also evolving. Traditional landscapes are giving way to contemporary abstracts to better complement contemporary workplace design. There is also a growing use of photography — especially black and white photography and photographic abstracts — because of their contemporary feel.

An office’s design only goes so far in identifying how a company wants to be perceived by its employees and clients; art increases the visual cues. A law firm that does a lot of international business might want to have art that reflects that scope. A lobbying organization in Washington might want dynamic photos of the Capitol, the White House, or iconic images of the monuments to remind its clients of their proximity to the seat of power. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities use art (primarily nature and landscape images) to provide a calming and peaceful distraction from an inherently stressful environment.

It’s also an effective branding tool: the right art can support a company’s corporate identity, history, values, and mission, and create a sense of place and purpose.

Properly executed, art energizes and personalizes a workspace. It reflects an attitude, sets a tone, and — more importantly — ties together all the design elements. It is also a critical component — on par with light, air, ergonomics, and quiet spaces — in the ongoing conversation about methods for making employees feel better about their environment and be more productive at work.

Working with an art consultant will also help when it comes to ironing out the details of the contract, such as payment, transportation, insurance, and other issues that may come up during the transaction.*

While furnishing and lighting are effective ways for meeting the physical needs of the employees, art meets their emotional needs. In a  survey conducted by the Business Committee for the Arts and the International Association of Professional Art Advisors of more than 800 employees of 32 companies that displayed art in the workplace, 94 percent of respondents agreed that art enhanced the work environment; 78 percent said that it contributed to reduced stress;  64 percent saw increased creativity and productivity, and 67 percent said that it enhanced morale. As a result, art should be part of any discussion regarding health and wellness initiatives in the office.

Art is a great wayfinding tool, where colors and images can be used to visually reference an area or location. The Financial Services Roundtable named its conference rooms after U.S. presidents in its new D.C.  offices. In addition to signage, it commissioned a graphic design artist to create large colorful, contemporary, representative pieces of each president that are prominently displayed in each conference room, bringing color and character to space.

At the end of the day, it is incumbent upon the design community to begin discussing art with their clients at the outset of the design process rather than leave it as an afterthought and a potential missed opportunity.

Credit: https://workdesign.com/2015/03/why-dont-more-workplace-designers-specify-art/

*Added note