Brand identity can be defined as the unique visual aspects of a brand that influence how it is perceived. These visible elements can include colour, design, logos and much more. Incorporating brand identity through office design creates an aesthetically pleasing environment, however, it can have a much bigger impact on aspects such as company culture, your employees and your clients than you might think.

The first thing that springs to mind when talking about a brand is a logo. A company logo is the one of the strongest visual assets when it comes to a brand. Brand logos are instant brand recognition in today’s world; they create familiarity and are most business’ identities, they help differentiate you from the competition and can create brand personality. It is important to consider that a brand is not just a logo, and a logo is not the only thing that represents your brand! A brand is built on various aspects such as company beliefs and values, physical and digital presence and your brand voice.

In today’s blog, we are going to discuss the benefits of bringing your brand to life in your workspace and how this will affect both employees and clients alike. We will show you how you can ensure your brand shines through using clever office design and will provide inspiration from our past projects.

Who will benefit from creative office branding? 

Employees and Colleagues 

When done effectively, incorporating brand identity into office design can foster a strong company culture, enhance employee engagement and productivity, and boost morale. In fact, research shows that office design can improve employee productivity by up to 21%, and that’s where we come in! The environment that your employees work in has a massive impact on how they perform. With modern challenges of attracting and retaining the best talent, having an outdated, dark and/or an uninspiring office space does not work hard for your business and your potential goals for the future.

It’s no surprise that companies are now embracing elements of fun into their office design, which naturally effects how and where your branding is incorporated within your space. While aspects of traditional branding will always be timeless within office design, such as signage and including certain company colours, ensuring you add in fun elements can help to set you apart from your competitors and attract new talent, especially the up-and-coming Gen Z.

Clients and External Visitors 

There is more to your brand than your website, social media presence and your marketing campaigns. Your brand identity must reflect into your office design, too. As soon as a client or guest walks into your office space, they should align with your brand. As well as inspiring your team, allowing your brand to shine through office design should impress your guests and clients, as well as reinforcing your unique identity and expertise within your field. Clients should feel reassured when entering your office space, and excited at the possibility of working with you. All of this is possible through injecting your brand identity into your office design.

 

Ideas to bring your brand to life! 

Before you redesign your office space, make sure that you are happy with your existing branding. If you are not happy, don’t worry! It is common to reassess your branding when considering an office move or refurbishment – the two often go hand in hand.

Some may be surprised at how much of your brand is incorporated when designing a workspace! A company’s workplace is an extension of its brand, sending visual messages and cues to employees and visitors alike. Here at Ben Johnson Interiors, we implement and express your brand through office design by deep diving into your brand identity as we get to know you. Let’s explore some ideas on how to bring your brand to life…

Brand logo 

Your logo should be the focal point of your office. Think about where to position this and consider the impact it may have on employees and clients. If you have clients that come into your workplace for meetings, think about positioning your brand logo in the reception area so it is clearly visible, familiarity enhances the feeling of trust. For employees, showcasing your logo in the workplace can create a sense of unity and belonging as it can serve as a visual representation of your values and missions. What you don’t want to do however is overuse your logo, as this can quickly become repetitive and less impactful.

Environmental responsibility and sustainability were both key considerations for Firmenich. We positioned their logo in the sign in area on an acupanel acoustic slat wall, incorporating natural textures, sending a clear message about their brand and providing a great first impression to all visitors. 

As soon as you walk into the Keepmoat Homes office in Leeds, you are greeted with a feature wall with their logo. The additions of greenery send a clear message of their brand identity. 

Colours 

Using a consistent colour palette that compliments your branding is key within office design. In recent years we have seen a shift from only using very specific brand colours within office schemes to a more subtle touch when it comes to colour schemes. That being said, we have worked with many clients over the years who have stuck with their brand colours throughout their office scheme and the results still look great to this day.

Every business is different in terms of the level of brand colours they choose to incorporate. Your employees know where they work, so exclusively using brand colours within your design can sometimes feel outdated. Using your brand colours hand in hand with a complimentary colour palette can be more impactful when it comes to getting your brand out there.

Take a look at our previous blog post on colour and psychology to find out more about how different colours can create a different atmosphere, and the psychological benefits each colour can have.

Appleyard Lees are patent lawyers, their predominant brand colour is green. To maintain a professional look, we utilised pops of green throughout the office design rather than going all out, this included adding lots of planting into the office.

Reward Finance came to us with a very exciting brief for their office design in Leeds. Wanting to add abit of fun into the office whilst still maintaining professionality, we gave a subtle nod to to the purple and green elements of the brand without going overboard. 

Furniture 

Furniture is a great way to set the tone of your brand as well as communicate your company culture and values and is a fundamental aspect of the brand experience. Functionality will always be a priority for furniture, but it is important to choose pieces that align with your brand. The furniture market is vast and we can cater to any brand identity, be that professional and sleek or modern and quirky.

The same furniture product can be made to look entirely different using the array of fabric choices and colours on offer; this way you can choose something that is functional, as well as reflecting your brand. Using sustainable materials can also be a powerful brand statement, why not demonstrate your commitment to sustainability by opting for recycled materials or eco-friendly fabrics.

For Circus PPC, we wanted to bring their brand personality to the forefront through their office design, demonstrating a young, fun digital agency. For their terrazzo countertop in the break out area, we made use of quality fabrics made from recycled ocean plastic and eco-conscious options. 

Product Placement 

Some of our clients produce physical products, and displaying these tastefully within their office spaces is vital. Your brand identity would not exist were it not for your product, so in order to boost your brand visibility it is important that we celebrate your product within your office design.

Displaying products in unique ways, particularly in client facing areas, is a fantastic way to not only get your product out there, but also your brand. See some of our previous examples below of great ways our client’s display their product within their office space. 

At the Mayborn office in Newcastle, you will find a unique chandelier in the reception area made out of baby bottles, this bespoke joinery item was a huge hit with the Tommee Tipee team! 

The Tommee Tippee logo displayed was made from 800 recycled coloured baby bottles, a creative way to show off the brand. 

 

Looking for an Office Design company in Leeds or Newcastle?

If you’re thinking about transforming your space and want to find out more about embarking on an office fit out or design project, get in touch! Our friendly team are here to help guide you.

As well as covering Yorkshire and the Northeast, we have experience working all over the country for several clients in different sectors. From healthcare fit outs to education design and office refurbishments nationwide, we are here to help create your amazing space.