Many of us struggle to find artwork for the office. The many styles and options can make your head spin.
In recent years, it has become more important than ever to know how to coordinate wall art for your office.
Gone are the days of the grey cubicle. A younger generation is revolutionising how the office looks and what we expect from the workplace.
No one is mourning the death of the drab office, but it can make interior design more difficult.
In this guide, I will give you the ins and outs of picking a photo print for the office. Soon, you’ll have a beautiful office that works for you.
Why Choose Abstract Art? It Spurs Creativity
 Surprised, framed and hanged on wall, from The Colours of Emotion series, 2019, Bryce Watanasoponwong |
One of the first things you need to decide is the style of artwork. If you are trying to find wall art for the office, abstract art is your best bet.
Why?
Abstract art spurs on creative decision-making. Unlike more representational fare, like landscapes, an abstract fine art photo can give the viewer a million different interpretations. When we look at these, our brains search for meaning. Over time, we continue to find new patterns we never saw before.
This effect of abstract art has begun to fascinate scientists, like the Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Eric Kandel. By bringing this kind of artwork into the office, you benefit from this creative boost.
Tell the Story of Your Brand Through Office Art
Your company’s brand is one of its most valuable assets. It’s what sets you apart. It’s your connection to your customers and while it can take a long time to secure, it can be damaged in a second.
So when asking, “How to pick a photo print for my office?” You should really ask, “What photo print matches my brand?”
Buying art with this in mind can unlock the full strength of your brand. Potential customers and partners can visit your office and immediately see what you’re about. Your values and mission come alive on the walls.
And it can also be helpful for members of your team. The art will help them connect with the company every time they go to work and remind them why they do what they do.
Abstract photography offers a much wider array of possibilities for projecting your brand. Because abstract photography often contains recognisable elements, you can get a little more precise.
Lean into Colour Psychology
 Ecstatic, framed and hanged on wall, from The Colours of Emotion series, 2019, Bryce Watanasoponwong |
While your brand might influence your artwork’s colour (see above), you can also use it to supercharge productivity in a workspace, encourage relaxation in the break room, and build cooperation in a meeting room.
How can you do that with abstract photo art?
Colour psychology studies the mental states produced by colours.
Some promoters of colour psychology have been known to overstate their claims, but the effects of colour on our brains are real and well-established.
For instance, a team of British researchers found compelling evidence that the colour red heightens our focus and accuracy. Meanwhile, blue helps with creative tasks.
Colour influences us. And your office wall art is one of the best tools available to you.
Go With Quality over Name
 Anticipative, framed and hanged on wall, from The Colours of Emotion series, 2019, Bryce Watanasoponwong |
You don’t need to pay a premium for work by a big-name artist. In fact, you are better served by going a little off the beaten path.
Abstract photo prints for the office are a chance to bring character, brand, and the power of colour into your workspace. You don’t want to distract from that with a big name. A famous work of art becomes its own overwhelming presence.
What’s worse is they can cost a significant amount of money. The truth is, photography prints are often economical — but you’ll probably need to ditch the biggest names in the field to save money.
Where to Get Affordable Abstract Photo Prints Online
At this point, you have a good idea of what you are looking for or at least the right questions to ask.
But now it’s time to buy the art. If you are looking for affordable abstract art for the office, you are in luck. With online art selling, things have never been easier.
There are plenty of great places to buy art, including:
- Society6
- Artfinder
- SaatchiArt
- Paper Collective
- Minted
- Absolut Art
If you are looking around and still having trouble, be sure to check out my guide to buying photo art.
The Colours of Emotion
Take a look at my series The Colours of Emotion, as I consider the nature of emotion and its relationship to shape, pattern and colour as a metaphor for understanding the human condition that connects us all. The work in this series reflects my feelings as I embarked on a creative journey for this project.
Interested in a limited edition piece of artwork from The Colours of Emotion series curated for The Other Art Fair Sydney - delivered to you? You may check it here.
In Closing
Now it’s time to decorate your office. How exciting! You’re about to transform your workplace into a more productive, creative, and cooperative space. You’re going to project your brand and reinforce your values and mission. And you’ll probably do it for less money than you’d expect.
Happy decorating!
 | About MePhotographer and visual storyteller based in BangkokBRYCE Watanasoponwong is a Thai-Australian photographer and visual storyteller. He is interested in producing a narrative series that evoke emotion and make a personal impact. Becoming more involved in how is photography is... read on |
