How to communicate brand values within the workspace
When brand values are displayed beautifully and thoughtfully in an environment that lives an breathes them, they can be very powerful
I am 100% sure that everyone who has worked in an office environment has either come across or is currently sitting in an office where company values appear in a mural across a wall or lovingly framed around the working space - perhaps as part of a gallery wall. Whilst we can all probably agree that having brand values set out within a space is probably important, is it the right approach?
It’s certainly not wrong. Seeing and reading company values in the office space is one way of reminding employees and visitors of what you stand for and those carefully constructed values shouldn’t only live out their lives in pitch slides. The whole point of company values is that they should be attributes of the company, actions and behaviours that people are living and breathing. Framing these or vinyl decals on walls is one way of showcasing and reminding people of what you stand for but this is quite literal and it shouldn’t be the only depiction in the office space. When they are the cherry on the cake of an office designed around brand values, they can be an incredibly powerful element of the design.
Ultimately, your office space serves as a tangible expression of your brand and company values. By creating an environment that reflects these elements, you can strengthen brand identity, engage employees, leave a positive impression on clients, and differentiate yourself in the marketplace.
For an office setting, it’s good to ask what the physical manifestation of your company values might be. Living and breathing company values is what you want your people to do. If your space can actually represent and facilitate them, you’ll have a much better chance of seeing them implemented in day to day life.
Realising brand values is an especially complex task and that’s why it’s incredibly important that the starting point is being very clear on what your values are and which are most important to enhancing the productivity and culture of your organisation.
In order to demonstrate, let’s take just two quite typical company values and see how they could physically manifest in a space just in terms of layout / space, colour and style. Bear in mind that the suggestions here relate only to the design of a space, ongoing activities should be employed alongside to truly deliver a well rounded employee brand engagement strategy.
Value 1: ‘We are collaborative’
How could spatial layout support this value?
Open and Flexible Spaces which might include shared workstations, collaborative zones, and common areas where people can easily gather to exchange ideas. Open spaces also provide clear visual pathways making it subconsciously easier to imagine interacting with others
Breakout Spaces that give employees a chance to step away from their desks and engage in more relaxed discussions. These spaces can stimulate spontaneous interactions and idea-sharing.
Variety of Spaces with different sizes and functionalities to accommodate different types of collaboration, from one-on-one discussions to larger team meetings.
Seamless Technology Integration to aid virtually inclusive behaviour ranging from interactive whiteboards, large screens (which aren’t placed right at the end of a meeting table), plenty of video conferencing facilities which are all support by good acoustics.
Collaborative Furniture: Selecting furniture that promotes interaction is important. Items like communal tables, modular seating arrangements, and collaborative workstations can facilitate group work and discussion.
Shared Workspaces where multiple team members can work together. These spaces can include large communal tables or collaborative benches, promoting interaction and idea exchange.
Acoustic Considerations - proper soundproofing and noise control measures can help minimise distractions and ensure that discussions remain focused.
Incorporating Nature: Biophilic design, which integrates natural elements into the workspace, can enhance collaboration. Greenery, natural light, and outdoor spaces can improve mood and boost creativity, which are essential for productive collaboration.
A variety of open breakout spaces at MVF Global encourage different types of collaboration
Soft colours provide the base palette whilst earthy colour accent the lounge space to create a warm, welcoming and friendly space
How could colour or style support this value?
Creating a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere can enhance collaboration. When people feel at ease in their surroundings, they are more likely to engage in discussions and contribute to group activities.
Soft and neutral colors like beige and light gray can create a calming and focused atmosphere. When team members feel relaxed and centered, they are more likely to engage in collaborative discussions without feeling overwhelmed.
Warm and welcoming colours, such as shades of yellow and orange, can promote open communication and social interaction. These colours can create a friendly and approachable atmosphere, making employees feel more comfortable sharing ideas and engaging in conversations with their colleagues.
Value 2: ‘We push ourselves to be innovative’
How could spatial layout support this value?
Office layout plays a crucial role in supporting innovation by creating an environment that fosters collaboration, creativity, and free-flowing exchange of ideas. Here are some ways office layout can support innovation:
Open and collaborative spaces that can facilitate spontaneous interactions and idea-sharing among employees.
Dedicated innovation spaces which are equipped with tools, whiteboards, projectors, and writable surfaces to facilitate ideation and visual representation of concepts.
Informal meeting areas, such as lounge areas, breakout zones, or coffee corners can foster casual conversations and impromptu discussions.
Collaborative technology, such as interactive displays, video conferencing systems, and virtual collaboration platforms, can bridge the gap between geographically dispersed teams and enable seamless idea-sharing and brainstorming sessions.
Encouraging personalisation gives people the ability to express themselves is empowering and motivating
Flexible and agile workstations including standing desks, quiet booths, and breakout spaces, enables employees to adapt their surroundings to the nature of their work and individual work styles, which can enhance creativity and problem-solving.
Designated think spaces where employees can retreat for focused, uninterrupted work can support deep thinking and concentration.
Integration of nature and biophilic elements have been shown to reduce stress, enhance cognitive function, and stimulate creativity, all of which contribute to fostering innovation.
Iterative design and prototyping areas to allow teams to experiment, test ideas, and refine prototypes.
Flexible furniture, integrated tech and whiteboards create a dedicated innovation space at BenchSci’s London HQ
Different styles of meeting rooms in different colours engage and inspire employees in a variety of ways and foster different types of innovation
How could colour or style support this value?
Specific colours like blues and greens are known to stimulate creativity and innovation as they are associated with a sense of calmness and tranquillity, allowing employees to think more freely and explore new ideas. Incorporating these colours in collaborative spaces can foster a conducive atmosphere for brainstorming and creative discussions.
On the other hand, bright and vibrant colours like yellow, orange, and red can create a sense of energy and excitement which can help promote active participation and engagement during collaborative activities. However, it's important to use these colours sparingly and in strategic accents, as excessive use can lead to overstimulation and distraction.
Stylistically, biophilic elements, like natural textures and greenery, have been proven to enhance creativity and innovation. Artwork and graphics can add visual interest and spark creativity, it also shows what you value.
If innovation is important, then celebrate it, take opportunities to showcase the company's innovative achievements, projects, or prototypes or the work of others.
With style or colour, it’s important to avoid monotony. A monotonous and dull workspace can stifle creativity. Introduce variety in colour and style to keep the environment fresh and engaging.
In summary
As the examples prove, there is no one answer for how to communicate brand values within a space and what the above responses aren’t doing is looking at the balance of different brand values within the space - another challenge! However by structuring what’s key to manifest and support in the workspace, it can be much easier to narrow down and guide the design of the space itself. The better this is done, the more supportive and tailored to your brand, the office space will be.
The benefit? A office space that not only supports and helps positively shape your company, but one that should look and feel totally different compared to your contemporaries just like your actual brand does in the marketplace.
Author: Nadia Themistocleous, Lead Interior Designer
Nadia has worked with Trifle* since 2016 and has been the interior lead for some of our most ambitious projects to date including MVF, BenchSci and TriliTech. Prior to Trifle* and managing her own interior design company, she worked for a decade in advertising and the music industry creating and executing creative campaigns and events. She is passionate about translating our client’s culture, identity or ways of working into the spaces they inhabit ensuring that every space created for our clients is as unique as their business or home is.