What impact do environmental graphics have on the workplace

What is environmental graphic design? In the context of environmental graphic design, a range of elements are brought together, and integrated by the designer, to achieve a specific overall effect. The key goal is to give the viewer a sense of connection to a space and to engage his or her attention. To transform spaces into memorable, unique phenomena, environmental graphics make use of both function and form.

Why Environmental Graphic Design Matters

The Gensler Research Institute recently commissioned an Experience Index report to evaluate the influence of design. The report found that the quality of people’s experience was strongly affected by the design of physical spaces. Moreover, it found that this effect was quantifiable. The report produced the following statistics, based on its survey of over 4,000 individuals across the United States.

• When stores or shops had unique design features, shoppers were far more likely to share their experiences on social media. In fact, ten times more likely.

• When individuals found that a space they visited was ‘well designed’, their experience rating was almost twice as high as those who found the space ‘poorly designed’.

In this context, environmental graphic design can offer you several major advantages. To find out what they are, read on.

STRENGTHENING BRAND INITIATIVES

Brand recognition is essential. It is what makes you known and familiar within the community. Moreover, real brand recognition requires across-the-board consistency, from your website to your social-media messaging. It should even be reflected in the signage on your door. In fact, relatively simple measures, such as the consistent use of colours, have been shown to improve brand recognition by a remarkable 80% or more.

Environmental graphics can strengthen brand power for the clients, actual or potential, who visit your premises. To attract the attention of passers-by, they can also be displayed in your windows.

Environmental graphics should reflect the mood and vibe you want to achieve, and they should encapsulate your overall brand message. Simply sticking the company logo on your office walls will not do. For instance, if your business wishes to convey a state-of-the-art, ultra-modern image, relying on old-fashioned paper signs is hardly going to impress. You should use clean, sharp designs, emblazoned on modern surfaces and materials.

DIRECTIONS MUST BE CLEAR

Wayfinding is one technique that businesses can use to implement environmental graphic design. When you want to identify different areas, or simply guide your visitors, avoid tired, conventional signs. Why not use creative graphics instead?

This is especially valuable if have numerous visitors coming to your site, or if you occupy a large building with various levels and corridors. Visitors will appreciate clarity if they need to find specific work areas, but why not use the opportunity to send a message?

Offices, lifts, restrooms, etc., don’t need to be identified with boring, text-only signs. Use bright environmental graphics to do the job. You can put these graphics on walls if you wish, but you needn’t be limited to traditional options. You might also put directions on your floors or even suspend graphics from your ceilings.

This has various benefits. Well-placed graphics will help visitors navigate your premises with greater ease, but they will also give an impression of innovation and modernity. Aside from anything else, your staff will be able to proceed with their work more effectively if they are not constantly interrupted by visitors seeking directions.

Furthermore, clear, original signage improves safety and security. It can prevent people accidentally strolling into areas where they do not belong.

IMPROVE MORALE IN THE WORKPLACE

The wellbeing of your staff can be improved by environmental graphic designs. The latter make the working environment a more fun and relaxing place. Extensive research has shown that happier workers are more productive, and an attractive workplace, supported by engaging graphics, certainly makes staff happier.

Moreover, high morale is not simply a question of the feel-good factor; it has tangible results. Data suggest that businesses that invest time and effort in bolstering staff morale can see profits rise by as much as 21%.

Common sense, as well as empirical research, show that employees produce their best efforts when they feel good about working for you. By contrast, flat, grey, uninspiring workspaces can depress productivity and morale while increasing absenteeism. This is especially true when so many hours are, by necessity, spent indoors. What’s more, workspaces that demonstrate creative flair do not only improve performance and mood. They can also provoke workers to draw on their own creativity to generate new ideas.   

 If you wish your staff to be proactive and creative, and to stretch the boundaries of their everyday performance, choose strategic designs accordingly. A creative workplace generates a creative mindset. It can stimulate new approaches to both problems and opportunities.

TO ACCESS THESE ADVANTAGES, WHY NOT GET IN TOUCH TODAY?

The more you understand about environmental graphics, the more you will see they are a sound investment.

Contact me to explore the full range of my environmental-graphics services, and find out how they can be incorporated most effectively into your own workplace.