Published on:

04 June 2024

Updated on:

04 June 2024

Read time:

2 minutes

Julie Hattersley

Design Director

Lee Parsons

Marketing Director

A company's brand encompasses far more than just its logo and colour scheme; it's the overall perception that customers, clients, and employees have of the organisation. One often overlooked aspect of branding is the design of the workspace.

The physical environment in which your team works and where you welcome visitors can have a profound impact on how your brand is perceived and experienced. In this article, we'll explore the role of branding in office design and share insights on how to effectively integrate your brand identity into your workspace.

Authenticity is key

First and foremost, your office design should be an authentic reflection of your company's values, culture, and personality. It's essential to avoid the temptation of simply imitating the design aesthetics of other well-known companies, such as Google or Apple. While it's perfectly acceptable to draw inspiration from their innovative approaches, blindly copying their style may not align with your own brand's unique identity.

Instead, focus on creating a space that embodies your company's values, workstyles, and brand personality. This authentic approach will result in an office environment that feels genuine and truly represents your business.

Many organisations recognise the need for strong branding in the reception and lobby for instance, however they may prefer that the staff areas such as kitchens, breakout zones and collaboration zones are more informal to provide relaxation and fun which in turn promotes social interactions and well-being.

Engaging employees through branded design

One of the primary reasons to integrate branding into your office interior design is the impact it has on your employees. When staff members work in a space that visually and experientially reflects the company's brand, they are more likely to feel connected to and aligned with the organisation's mission and values.

This sense of identification can boost morale, productivity, and overall job satisfaction. By surrounding your team with brand-relevant design elements, you reinforce the idea that they are part of something larger than themselves and contribute to the company's success story.

Making a lasting impression on visitors

Equally important is the effect that branded office design has on visitors, whether they be clients, partners, or potential recruits. The moment someone steps into your office, they form judgments and impressions about your business based on what they see and experience.

A well-designed space that seamlessly incorporates your brand sends a powerful message about your company's professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to its values. On the other hand, an office that lacks branding or feels disconnected from your company's identity can leave visitors confused or unimpressed.

Remember, you only have one chance to make a first impression, and your office design plays a significant role in shaping that initial perception.

Crafting a workspace that embodies a company's unique identity is both an art and a science. It's about understanding the essence of the brand and translating it into a physical environment that inspires, engages, and tells a compelling story. Our role is to create spaces that not only look stunning but also make employees proud and leave a lasting impression on everyone who walks through the door.

Julie Hattersley, Design Director

Leveraging office relocation or refurbishment

When embarking on an office relocation or fit out project, seize the opportunity to enhance and refresh your brand's presence in the space. Collaborate closely with designers to ensure that your brand is carefully woven into the fabric of the new office environment.

Share your brand guidelines, discuss your company's values and culture, and work together to create a design brief that prioritises brand integration. By making branding a central focus from the outset, you'll end up with a cohesive interior that accurately reflects and reinforces your corporate identity.

Strategic branding on a budget

If budget constraints limit your ability to infuse branding throughout the entire office space, strategically prioritise customer-facing areas for maximum impact. Reception areas, meeting rooms, and client lounges are prime locations to showcase your brand, as these are the spaces where visitors will spend the most time and form lasting impressions.


Allocate your project budget wisely in these key areas, rather than spreading it too thinly across the entire office. A strong, concentrated brand presence in customer-facing zones will have a more powerful effect than a diluted brand experience throughout the space.

Creative brand integration

When it comes to specific design elements, there are numerous ways to creatively incorporate your brand into the office environment. Glass surfaces, such as partitions or doors, provide excellent opportunities for displaying branding graphics or messaging.

Applied filmwork can feature your logo, tagline, or other brand visuals, and can be easily updated or removed as needed. Similarly, painting accent walls or columns in your corporate colours can make a bold statement and reinforce your brand palette. However, be mindful not to overdo it with an excessive number of visual brand elements, as this can appear heavy-handed and detract from the space's overall aesthetic.

Balancing branding and employee wellbeing

While branding is crucial in the office design process, it's equally important to provide employees with brand-free zones where they can relax, recharge, and socialise. Breakout areas, cafes, and lounges should be designed as havens where staff can momentarily disconnect from the corporate environment.

These spaces offer a valuable opportunity for employees to mentally and emotionally unwind, fostering a sense of community and promoting work-life balance. By keeping these areas brand-neutral, you demonstrate respect for your team's wellbeing and create a supportive, inclusive workspace.

Conclusion

The role of branding in office design should not be underestimated. Your workspace has the power to tangibly communicate your brand's values, culture, and personality to both employees and visitors. By authentically integrating your brand into the design of your office, you create a space that inspires your team, impresses your clients, and reinforces your company's unique identity.

Remember to prioritise branding efforts where they will have the most impact, while also providing brand-free zones for employee wellbeing. Ultimately, a successfully branded office environment will contribute to your company's overall success by attracting top talent, boosting staff morale, and leaving a lasting positive impression on everyone who enters your space.

Meet the Authors

Having worked in the Design and Build industry for almost two decades, Julie has built an illustrious portfolio that reflects talent, creativity and an effortless ability to create inspiring workplaces. Taking pride in her involvement through every step of the design process, Julie is inspired by her clients and relishes dissecting a brief to get to the essence of what will provide the end users with the best experience and improve their working days.

As Marketing Director, Lee is a strategic leader dedicated to building brand awareness and driving business growth. Lee excels at developing innovative strategies that engage audiences. His passion for storytelling and creativity enables him to craft compelling narratives that resonate with target audiences. Lee is focused on devising integrated marketing campaigns that achieve key business objectives.