Project - A Melbourne Dental Clinic

Whether you realize it or not, the moment a client walks through your doors, they begin forming an impression of you and your business. Your workspace tells a story, conveying information about your professionalism, capabilities, and work style.

See how we improved the customer experience at a renominated dental clinic in Melbourne.

Background

Endodontic Associates is a highly professional clinic in the heart of the Melbourne CBD. Associate Professor Mark Evans and business partner Dr Jeff Ward have helped their patients with specialized Root Canal Treatments for many years. Mark is also heavily involved in teaching postgraduate students at The University of Melbourne.

When we saw their rooms for the first time, we immediately noticed the bare walls in the entrance/waiting area and two outdated images on the reception wall.

Mark and Jeff had thought about adding wall art several times, but with a busy work schedule never got around it.

That’s when Wallgood took the lead.

Curation

Mark and Jeff were looking for a minimalist approach, other than that left the curation entirely up to us. With this in mind we looked at suitable artwork, taking the genre of their profession, the existing elements of the rooms, and the location of the clinic into account.

We suggested three options each for the entrance/waiting area and the reception. These could be combined in any way.

They were presented as digital mock-ups so Mark and Jeff could visualize the art work in place.

Entrance/Waiting area

Option 1

We suggested photographs by Ulrike Perkins from the series Woodlands. Ulrike's unique forest images are colorful and engaging. Most of them are taken locally. The abstract interpretation reflects the essence of our beautiful Australian forests.

Nature scenes are known to have a calming and relaxing effect on the nervous system. The colors and style of this series fit in well within the existing elements of the space. 

They are printed on vibrant archival paper and mounted behind high quality plexiglass. The finished artworks have non visible hanging attachments and appear to be floating on the wall, giving an elegant and professional look.

Option 2

Alternatively we proposed photographs by London based artist Mark Cornick from the series Fathom. The abstract seascape images were taken at the Cornish Coast.

Again the colors match the interior and these simple and open ocean scenes have a calming and pleasing quality.  Their wide horizon helps expand the room.

The images are printed on archival cotton rag and hung in classic black wooden frames for a more traditional and sophisticated look. 

Option 3

A third  - non photographic - option were artworks by Sydney multimedia artist George Hall. George’s work is fluid, colorful and uplifting. His paintings reflect the dazzling colours of Australian nature. He incorporates layers in mixed media, acrylics, collage and glazes.

The images are engaging, while also having a calming and grounding effect.

The square images Gradual Land and Garden Series are limited edition reproduction prints, signed by the artist and framed in simple black wooden frames. The large picture named Silent Grass is an original artwork on canvas, surrounded by a raw oak frame. 

Reception

Option 1

These medical rooms are situated in the heart of Melbourne. We wanted to reflect this unique location with a beautiful photograph by local artist Jono Marthick. The image of a tram - iconic for Melbourne - could have been taken just in front of the building. The magical lighting is an eye catcher and easy conversation starter.

The images are printed on archival cotton rag and framed locally using beautiful raw timber. 

Option 2

This was an addition to Option 1 above. Adding another photo from the colorful series Woodlands would result in a consistent and elegant look throughout the space. 

Option 3

Alternatively we suggested a photograph by Canadian artist Daniel Castaguay, called The Entrance. Daniel is a true master of capturing the life and soul of the streets. Transmitting an emotion is the essence of his photographic work, bringing the viewer into a story and leaving space to imagination.  

The image is printed on archival cotton rag and framed locally. 



The finished rooms

Mark and Jeff liked the local aspect of the tram image for their reception area and chose the abstract seascapes for their entrance/waiting area. What a beautiful final result!

Thank you Mark for the wonderful review:

”Uli was very patient with us, as we were very indecisive about what was needed to improve our waiting room and reception area. She gave us several options, all of which would have worked, and we are thrilled with the final result. We never felt pressured and the artworks have really lifted the look of our practice as patients enter the waiting area. Uli's curatorial skills are spot on, and the number of pictures and their placement is perfect. We could never have put together artwork in such a way ourselves and I can highly recommend Wallgood.”

The power of colour on our mind, mood and behaviour

Colours are more powerful than we think. They influence our thinking, inspire our decision-making, and impact our moods. 

62-90% of a first impression is due to colours.

Colours can make us feel happy or sad, tense or relaxed. They can give us a sense of security and confidence. They can even provoke hunger or boost our energy. These reactions are rooted in psychological effects, biological conditioning and cultural imprinting.

Lets see how different attributes of colour can effect our brain and behavior.

1. Warm colours

Red, orange and yellow are considered warm colours. Warm colours often evoke feelings of happiness, optimism and energy. Red draws attention like no other color and motivates us to take action. Orange is a youthful and energetic color, it is optimistic and uplifting, adds spontaneity and positivity to life and encourages social communication and creativity. Yellow makes learning easier as it affects the logical part of the brain, stimulating mentality and perception. It inspires thought and curiosity and boosts enthusiasm and confidence.

2. Cool colours

Cool colours include green, blue, and purple. Cool colorus are usually calming and soothing and stand for trust and security. Green is universally associated with nature. It is a generous, relaxing color that revitalizes our body and mind. It balances our emotions and leaves us feeling safe and secure. It also gives us hope, with promises of growth and prosperity. Blue - associated with the sky and water - has a calming and relaxing effect on our psyche. The color stands for trust and loyalty, confidence and security. Purple - a mixture of blue (calm) and red (intense) is often used to help spark imagination and creativity. It is also associated with royalty and luxury.

3. Energizing colours

Strong and bright colours can boost our energy and make us feel more alert. These colours stand out from their surroundings and grab our attention. Red, the most dynamic color by nature, tends to be the most stimulating one. It causes the body to pump out more adrenaline and speed up our heart rate. Purple and yellow can have a similar effect. Being surrounded by energizing colours stimulates our minds and can encourage conversation and collaboration.

4. Calming Colours

Cool colours like blue and green and pastel colours have a calming and relaxing effect. Green is present in most of the spaces we visit when we want to feel relaxed like parks and quiet forest. Neutrals like white, beige and grey can also make you feel calm. The fewer colours are combined and the more simple they are presented, the more calming they will feel.

5. Happy colours

Happy colours are bright, warm colours like yellow, orange, pink and red. Pastel colours can also have an uplifting effect on our mood. The brighter and lighter a colour, the more happy and optimistic it will make us feel. Combining multiple primary and secondary colours is another way to create happy emotions. Think about a rainbow!

Art in the workplace - How to choose it?

A picture is worth a thousand words, so think about what you’re trying to say…

There’s something about office art that really informs you about where you are and it’s power is often underestimated. It sets the scene- or alters it. It tells a company’s story and it evokes feelings of comfort, excitement and even much of the time, a feeling of quality. Office art is about so much more than making a room look pretty.

The art – or absence of it – in your workplace communicates volumes about you and your business, sending strong messages to your staff and clientele.

So what to consider when choosing the right artworks for your business?

1. Choose Office Art That Reflects Who You Are

Your artwork can say a lot about your company or business, so make sure you choose pieces that covey the right messages. For example, for conservative careers like law or finance, still life, landscapes and tasteful reproductions of well-known pieces offer professionalism, formality and a sense of security, while vibrant colours and pop art could reflect youth and enthusiasm for creative industries such as advertising and design work. If creativity, innovation, and open conversations are elements of an organization’s purported culture, the placement of engaging artwork can help substantiate these values and make them visually available.

2. Location is important

When considering artwork for your reception or meeting rooms, be bold. Strong colours, oversized works, striking sculptures and an interesting subject matter will all grab attention and provide easy conversation starters. Works with a touch of humor can also help set people at ease. Abstract art has a unique quality of provoking radically different views, emotions, and opinions among those looking at it. That’s why abstract pieces have proven to be a good choice for collaborative work spaces since it has the power of unlocking people’s creative potential without distracting too much from the discussion and issues at hand. Common spaces and break out zones are places to visit when employees need a mental break, landscapes and nature photographs can evoke a feeling of calm and tranquility. A smaller office can feel much more generous by adding a large nature scene to its wall. And don’t forget your hallways either.

3. Consider the effect of colors, patterns and themes

Positively-received artworks have a moderate amount of visual complexity. The same goes for colors and patterns that are not so familiar as to be boring, but not so unfamiliar as to be confusing. Horizontal and vertical lines and curving lines are easiest to process, as are symmetrical images. Warm and bright colours are the best way to create a creative and friendly work environment. These colours bring positive vibes into the office, improve efficiency and focus, and increase brain activity. For example yellow creates a sense of joy while green brings out the creativity in a group. To encourage collaboration within the team, common room and meeting areas profit from a vibrant and energetic look, so think about graphic artworks that are high spirited, fun and creative. Once you are familiar with some general guidelines, you might decide to brake out of those conventions and go for bold and unique approach.

4. Budget

Don’t let the cost of art work be a deterrent. Little goes a long way. Photographic or fine art prints framed properly are an affordably and beautiful way to brighten up any office space. And unlike production-line office décor, art gives you scope to introduce something creative and unique. Think about supporting local art and create a link between your office and the area you are located in. Don’t forget your investment is also tax deductible.

If you can, go big! Choose an original artworks over reproductions and mass-produced prints. Consider purchasing art as an investment. If you buy an original piece from an emerging or established artist, the value will remain, or even increase over time. Commissioning an artwork allows you to suggest brand colours or discuss ways in which the art can effectively represent the brand. Artwork would be a subtler approach to branding without appearing too promotional, since it’s the manifestation of an idea and not just a mere marketing tactic. A commissioned wall mural would be another way to stand out and make your office a memorable one.

Work at the office post Covid - 4 key areas to consider

Covid has changed the way we work profoundly. While it was the norm for most to make a commute to an office on a daily basis, post Covid this will no longer be the default way. We have learned new ways to be productive and keep communicating and meeting with colleagues and clients. While some miss days spent in the office, others got quite used to working in the comfort of their own homes. 

According to McKinsey research, 80 percent of people questioned reported that they enjoy working from home. Post Covid many people will need reasons not to work from home, experts say. Employers will need to offer something more to employees than a desk, chair and computer.

On the flip side dozens of surveys have found a virtual meeting can't replace the effectiveness of face-to-face meetings and group work, nor is it as good for workers' mental health as socializing with colleagues in the office kitchen. 

EY, one of the first big corporations in Australia to send its workforce home in early March, surveyed 4,500 of its employees across Oceania. Almost half (48 per cent) want their homes to be a feature of the future office, with 44 per cent saying they want remote working to become the default. These said they only want to go into the office for specific purposes like client meetings or team building. This sentiment is global. Boston Consulting Group surveyed 12,000 of its employees and found 60 per cent want to choose where and when they work, while international recruitment firm Adecco's survey showed 75 per cent of workers want that flexibility.

1. Redesigning the Workspace

A transformational approach to reinventing offices will be necessary. Instead of adjusting the existing footprint incrementally, companies should take a fresh look at how much and where space is required and how it fosters desired outcomes for collaboration, productivity, culture, and the work experience. Ultimately, the aim of this reinvention will be what good companies have always wanted: a safe environment where people can enjoy their work, collaborate with their colleagues, and achieve the objectives of their organizations.

2. Empathy

Management teams should lead with empathy and demonstrate an understanding that while all of their employees have experienced this crisis, they haven’t all experienced it the same way. Some employees may have conditions that increase their risk of serious COVID-19 infection and may be reluctant to return to the office. 

Likewise, it’s essential to recognize that their staff will need time to adapt to new ways of working post-pandemic. Employees coming back after an extended period of remote work may find the physical layout of their workplace changed and their shift schedule altered. Returning to a workplace may require a mindset shift for those who’ve adjusted to working remotely. 

Employees who continue to work from home will need ongoing support, regular communication and the reassurance, that while others have returned to work, they are still an integral part of the team. 

3. Communication

Providing employees with the chance to make their challenges and concerns known may help management teams identify potential problems with their return-to-the-workplace plans. By enabling real, two-way communication, leaders may turn the COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity to strengthen corporate culture, increase employee engagement and boost productivity and loyalty over the long run.

4. Aesthetics

Last but not least, this transition period might be a good time to reconsider the aesthetics of your environment. While the layout of your office space will most likely see some transformation, have a think about how your overall surroundings could play a vital role as well. Consider adding indoor plants and wall art.  Art can be a great way to add visual interest, spark creativity and motivate people to work in the office, especially in a time when some might be reluctant to return. Looking at something beautiful also helps reduce stress levels which will be particularly valuable in a time of change and adjustment. 

5 reasons you should add artworks to your office spaces

Decades of research has proven, art enhances brain function. Viewing art has an impact on brain wave patterns, emotions and the nervous system. Art can change a person’s outlook and the way they experience their environment.

1. Inspire and boost creativity

Looking at beautiful photographs or paintings increases blood flow to the brain by up to 10%. Brain activity increases and new neural pathways are formed. This can unlock creative potential, inspire and help generate new ideas.

2. Improve employee experience

Art can make a difference in an employee’s welfare and general work satisfaction. Various studies have shown that the way employees experience their workplace changes significantly if artworks are included or removed. Looking at beautiful art works raises levels of Dopamine in the brain, creating a feeling of pleasure and reward.

3. Reduce stress 

Artworks with aspects of contemplation and relaxation can help lower stress levels. Viewing art has shown to increase levels of Serotonin. Serotonin enables brain cells and other nervous system cells to communicate with each other. It helps to regulate mood and reduce anxiety and stress.

4. Increase team work and productivity

Boosting happiness, workplace satisfaction and creativity, while reducing stress levels will inevitably lead to better work performances. Improving your environment also encourages teamwork and emotional connections between team members. A happy place is a productive place.  

5. Set a professional tone

Your office plays a huge role in engaging employees. Pictures and paintings provide a form of communication that can help make your staff feel proud of the values, accomplishments, goals, and the products and services offered by your company. Choosing the perfect artwork can help to tell a unique story about your employees and clients. It widens your company’s footprint and provides a clear feeling of what makes your organization unique.