How Office Space Design Can Impact Corporate Culture and Brand Image

It is now universally acknowledged that our physical surroundings play a profound role on our mental state. So obviously, office space design can influence our productivity and corporate culture. From interior design to furniture to space branding, every aspect of your office design can affect your company and your team.

An enterprise that takes pride in its workplace and its workers will invest time, money and effort to create an office that motivates its people and engages its visitors while simultaneously building brand image.

Office space design is more than some partitions & wall finishes, some strategically placed art works & sofas or company logos plastered liberally throughout the office.

Some basic aspects that make a difference include:

Layout design:

The first step is understanding who you’re designing for. Who are your workers and how do they work? How do they interact with each other? What are your corporate values and how can they reflect in office branding design? When staff, clients or visitors visit your office, they need to feel your culture, engage with your brand, and leave with your brand etched in their mind.

Most offices today follow an open plan, as a layout that promotes team spirit, nurtures creativity and provides flexibility. It’s important to design the office space thoughtfully, facilitating the flow of energy and creativity. It’s also essential to provide for storage, private workspaces, washrooms, canteen and other practical needs. Good knowledge of space utilization and space management is required.

Comfort:

We spend the better part of life at work; more than 40 hours per week in office. So naturally, feeling comfortable is essential for overall wellbeing and productivity. Office designers need to build in elements that build a sense of comfort — such as ergonomic furniture, sit-stand desks, flexible work spaces, lounging or breakout areas, writable surfaces, safety systems, appropriate lighting, cooling, etc.

Lighting:

Lighting is a vital element of office design. Poor lighting adversely affects wellness and productivity while fluorescent lighting can increase stress levels and cause headaches. Research shows that working in artificial lighting makes people drowsy and exposure to natural light makes them feel alert. So ideally, natural light should be incorporated as much as possible.

Modern office automation helps control lighting in offices. Whether your lighting system includes incandescent, fluorescent, or LED lamps and luminaires, modern controls allow you to enhance comfort, ensure the safe navigation of spaces, and save energy.

Accoustics:

Brainstorming is the buzzword today, so facilitating this activity is an important aspect when defining your office space. But when people come together to share ideas, it can get really noisy — especially in an open plan office which is the popular choice these days! Therefore it’s advisable to create areas where teams can huddle without disturbing the other teams who need a quiet workplace. Booths, movable partitions, high-back chairs can help keep the noise down.

Off-work zones:

Every worker needs short breaks from the office routine. No one wants to be glued to their desk from the time they arrive to the time they punch out. Today, with greater proportion of younger people in the workforce and with the emphasis on creativity and innovation, people need a zone to ‘break away’ from work. Providing a private space for quiet contemplation and separate breakout area with comfortable seating for discussions, pool table, chess board or even a small gym will help refresh spirits, uplift mood, maintain wellbeing and make employees feel valued.

These are some of the elements involved in creative office space design. It’s a challenging field calling for multi-disciplinary skills such as architecture, interior design, graphic art, construction, and many more. An experienced agency such as InSpace Designs can help.

For office interiors, our team of Architects, Interior Designers and Space Designers develop office spaces that connect the users with the brand. Our fully integrated Interior Design Services provide end-to-end Workplace Solutions in terms of Layout Feasibility, Material Specifications, Furniture Selection, etc.

We specialize in designing exclusive spaces for a variety of peer group requirements such as break-out areas, telephone booths, linear or specialized workstations, conference rooms, huddle spaces, etc.

InSpace design also handles Workplace Technology with skill. Contemporary spaces require high-efficiency services paired with optimal ergonomics. Human-centric Lighting, HVAC, Fire and Safety, Access Control and Surveillance, Automation Solutions, etc. play an important role in workplace welfare, ensuring high efficacy throughout the employment lifecycle. Our comprehensive vendor management guarantees high-quality service implementation; while everyday processes like Lighting/HVAC, etc. can be streamlined with Automation Solutions. Energy Consumption Reports can also be generated that enable the user to conserve energy based on reported usage.

As a strategic brand consultancy, InSpace Designs has the experience to design and execute spatial branding as well. With a mix of strategic thinking, meticulous planning and creative designing, taking into consideration every aspect that can create ambience, uplift mood and influence productivity, InSpace Design delivers effective workplace branding.

For office design that can transform your office, contact InSpace today.

Workspace Branding: an essential element of Corporate Interiors and fitouts

Today, across corporate offices and other workplaces, companies are creating deeper engagement with employees and visitors through environmental graphics.

Environmental graphic design combines various design disciplines to connect people, brand and culture in a physical space. It uses elements of graphic, interior, architectural, landscape and other types of design to transform a space and make it more meaningful for the people who visit or use it. 

Corporate office branding with innovative environmental graphic design is a powerful tool to tell a story that supports your corporate vision, builds a sense of belonging, and reinforces brand uniqueness.

Why have branding in the workplace?

According to statistics found in the “Impact of Office Design on Business Performance” by the British Council for Offices, the workplace environment accounts for as much as 25 percent of job satisfaction, and can affect performance by as much as 5 percent for individuals and 11 percent for teams.

Studies have shown that an office that reflects the company’s culture, values and brand promise, fosters a more productive, united and satisfied team. It enhances employee understanding and adoption of business objectives and company values, as well as reinforces why prospective clients and employees should work with you. 

In our sensory overload society, it is more important than ever to develop a consistent and clear expression of what an organization values and represents. Office space design agencies can help organizations maximize their brand expression opportunity in their physical facilities. By strategically and creatively integrating brand with interiors, workplace branding designers can mould the user experience in three dimensions, using every space to tell a story and build the brand. 

Office branding, the Interics way

At Interics Designs,  we use different concepts to brand and build your office space. Taking a strategic and integrated approach, we build content and design that resonates with all stakeholders on both emotional and logical levels. 

Interics Designs’ division IN-SPACES uses different media and materials, develops themes and visual language, designs original installations to create a unique space that instills pride, boosts confidence and builds brand.

Interics Designs’ specialised IN-SPACES solution covers the overall office branding and office environment using graphic design, interactive design, informative design and 3D design. The complete package is designed to extend and elevate the brand experience, create a ‘wow’ factor that is impressive and inviting.

Some crucial elements include:

-Fascade branding for brand impact at the entrance

-Wayfinding/signage systems to facilitate navigation and provide clear, concise information

-Murals and installations that infuse original aesthetics with bland office spaces

-Workstation wall branding with wall graphics to create vibrant, motivating work spaces

-Cafeteria branding to add spice to refreshment breaks

-Recreation/Breakout zone branding 

For large multi-nationals and Indian conglomerates, across corporate offices and regional offices, IN-SPACES systematically integrates brand image in space, designing environments which are both engaging and communicative. One of the few global environment branding design firms in India and in the business for over two decades, we have developed a unique delivery system that ensures high quality outcomes with sound time management and cost effectiveness in execution.

To discover how space branding can make a difference to your corporate workplace, contact us at www.smartexhibitiondesign.com and www.intericsdesigns.com

5 Ways in Which Exhibitions Can Help Your Brand

In a world where technology and data have made almost all business processes electronic, there is an undeniable distance created between manufacturers/ marketeers and their customers. Marketing teams often manage operations without leaving their desks. Exhibitions help to bridge this gap.

5 Ways in Which Exhibitions Can Help Your Brand

Trade shows and exhibitions serve as a platform for companies, consumers, professionals and industry experts to come together, share information, network and build business relationships. Across the world, exhibitions are an essential part of product marketing and brand building. In emerging markets like India, they serve as influential catalysts for industrial and commercial growth.

So how can exhibitions help your brand? Let’s discuss some of the ways exhibitions can benefit your brand.

1. Showcase your brand

Exhibitions offer businesses a platform to create a lasting impression and engage customers in a way that is more impactful and memorable than most other marketing media. Companies can showcase their brand, promote their brand values and strengths with creative exhibition booth design. With eye-catching product displays, immersive virtual reality experiences, unique giveaways and other promotional ideas, customers can better experience your brand.

2. Face-to-face interaction

Research, marketing, advertising, taking orders, deliveries, answering queries – almost everything today can be done digitally. However, customers still want ‘real’ interaction with the brands they are buying. They want to meet real people and build real relationships. Exhibitions offer this opportunity to introduce yourself and your company, personally present your product or service, listen to customer opinion and build ‘real’ customer relations.

3. Learning

Exhibitions offer a great learning experience. You can interact with customers and encourage feedback which will help you gain insights to improve your product or service. You also get a chance to study the competition, update knowledge, listen to industry experts at seminars that are organised at the trade show, and generally get the pulse of the market or industry.

4. Targeted marketing

Generally, exhibitions are organised for a specific industry, so exhibitors can participate in the ones most relevant to them and their offering. Here, brands can showcase their products and technologies to a niche audience. Unlike advertising, where money is spent on a more blurred and mass audience, trade shows are more specific and relevant. Visitors are people who are interested in your industry and specifically looking for the products on display.

5. Product launch

Exhibitions can be used as soft launch pads for new innovations and product upgrades. Feasibility can be put to the test. If the new product does not appeal to the niche audience at the trade show, it will most probably not work in the market. Also, such launches can help garner invaluable feedback so companies can modify and tailor their innovations before the hard launch.

No wonder that many companies now consider business exhibitions and trade fairs a vital element of their marketing strategy. Point to remember is that participation is not a guarantee for big sales, but it will definitely contribute to brand building. Overall, considering the many advantages and benefits to be gained, exhibitions deliver good return on investment.

8 Tips for a Successful Exhibition in India

Exhibitions and expos are growing in popularity as more and more businesses experience the advantages of participation. An exhibition is an ideal platform to promote products and services. It gives manufacturers/suppliers an opportunity to engage with clients and prospects face-to-face. It’s an arena to build brand and develop customer base. It works as a test market for new innovations, and as a forum for networking and studying the market. 

8 Tips for a Successful Exhibition in India

Exhibitions and trade shows is a fast-growing industry worldwide, with Germany leading with two-thirds of the global market share. In India, there are over 700 major trade shows being organised every year, generating business of Rs.65,000 Cr.

Through the year, in cities and towns across the country, there are trade shows and industry expos being held. However, participation in a trade show can be expensive. So if you want results, and good return on investment from your exhibition in India, we have some tips to help you pave the way to success.

Tip 1: Select the relevant trade show

There are different trade shows for different industries. Pick the appropriate one for your business. Research the show, check how reputed it is, which companies participated and how many visitors attended in the previous year, analyse whether your TG will be attracted or not, etc. This background study will help you decide if a particular exhibition is right for your company.

Tip 2: Appoint a creative exhibition stand designer

The look and design of your stall is critical to attract eyeballs and footfalls. Your competitors will be at the show too, so your exhibition stall design should stand out in the crowd. Plan the layout in a way that facilitates circulation of booth traffic; ensure the trade fair booth design represents your brand appropriately; use creative gimmicks, interesting colours, materials and lighting to attract attention. Hire an experienced expo stand design agency that will create and execute a bespoke exhibition stand that enhances brand value and draws more visitors – in the city or cities required.

Tip 3: Keep collateral ready and handy

Plan all the marketing collateral you need for the show. Business cards, brochures, promotional leaflets, branded giveaways, etc. should all be designed and printed in sufficient quantity for the show. If your product and trade show TG warrant vernacular communication, have your leaflets translated and printed in the relevant language to improve reach.

Tip 4: Make bookings in time

Whether it is registration and stall booking or travel plans to the city of the trade show, it makes sense to do it early. The best spots, the closest hotels, air or train tickets – all such bookings should be made in advance for best results and maximum savings.

Tip 5: Appoint & train staff

A trade show is the most interactive marketing tool. It’s a platform to meet and communicate with potential and existing customers face to face. So naturally, your stall staff should be the best. Cordial and hospitable, knowledgeable and convincing – your staff should be well trained for the trade show. They must be fully aware of the company’s exhibition strategy, the products on display. Train them in advance; practice typical questions and answers with them. Explain dos and don’ts. They should be able to obtain information that facilitates lead generation and follow-up.

 Tip 6: Gather & annotate leads

Gathering leads is one of the main objectives of a trade show booth, so make sure you gather as many as you can. When interacting or handing out leaflets or gifts, get the visitor’s business card. Based on your reading of the visitor, make notes on the card or a separate diary, about special points you may have discussed, any follow-up plan you may think of, additional information promised, etc. This will come in handy after the trade show as reference for communication.  

Tip 7: Create pre-event buzz

Trade shows are a big investment. It pays to create a buzz around your participation to draw the right people to your trade show stall. Think digital. Send emailers and messages to existing clients inviting them to the upcoming exhibition. Create ads or banners on your website and social media sites. Set up meetings with attendees at your booth, days prior to the show. Pre-event marketing can help ensure a great turnout for your exhibition stand!

Tip 8: Start early

Planning and preparation is imperative for a successful exhibition stall. Whether working with an agency to design a custom-built exhibition stand, printing marketing collateral, executing the pre-event marketing plan, preparing for the particular location – the earlier you start, the better the outcome. Even finding out more about the location of the trade show, facilities available in the area, timelines and deadlines, distances, cultural aspects, etc. – can help you be better organized so you minimize problems and errors at the show.

Whether you are using the show to unveil a new product, simply draw attention to your brand and business, or you are trying to network for business partners, vendors and new customers, keep these tips in mind, and you’re sure to achieve your goals and have a successful trade show.

How to Choose an Exhibition Stall Designer for Your Next International Event

Planning to participate in an international exhibition stall designer? Targeting the top 10 trade shows in Europe? It would be ideal if you could appoint a stall design partner in the city/country you’re exhibiting in. However, finding, assessing and negotiating with a local exhibition stand design company is not exactly a cakewalk. Language can be a problem, rates may be too high.

How to Choose an Exhibition Stall Designer for Your Next International Event

It would be so much easier with an expo stand builder who can provide service in the country of the trade show. There are many international exhibition partners but selecting the right one is crucial. Here are some simple tips to evaluate the exhibition stand design & build company before entrusting it with your next international trade show stall. 

Global service

It is absolutely crucial that your international stall designer has global reach. International shipping is difficult and expensive especially since exhibition materials can be really heavy. Find out if they have connections in the country where you plan to exhibit. If they have stall construction facilities there, great! But if not, they should at least have reliable local partners who have the facilities and experience to deliver your stall in a timely and professional way. Ask for details about these foreign vendors or partners and check their track record for quality and design.

Proven portfolio

Take the time to go through the agency’s portfolio and see how many international exhibition stall designer they have handled. Ask for references and take feedback from their clients. This will give you an idea of their capabilities and quality of service.

Check out their designs. Remember, you’re spending a lot of money and time on this international exhibition, so you want a booth design that helps you stand out. You need an agency that can deliver creative exhibition stand designs that will make an impact on the international stage, so the agency should have world-class design skills and be abreast with latest global trends in exhibition design and construction.

Printing service

You will need to carry flyers, business cards, brochures and pamphlets for the exhibition, and ideally, if you’re participating in a country where English is not the common language, your material should be translated and printed in the local language as well. This helps you connect better with the exhibition visitors and lets them know that your brand is professional and keen to do business. If the same agency can provide this related service, you benefit from single-point convenience.

Every exhibition is a platform for your brand and your marketing. In foreign countries, the stakes are much higher. You are not only competing on a global stage, you’re investing a huge amount of money, time and manpower costs. Partner with the right stall design partner to ensure your brand benefits, and you get timely, hassle-free service, and the biggest bang for your bucks.

Pre-Exhibition Marketing Methods to Ensure More Footfalls at Your Stall

Participating in a trade show is a serious business. For companies, it’s a platform to promote their brand and expertise, and usually involves a hefty investment. Rent for the exhibition booth space, the cost of creative exhibition stand design and installation, travel and accommodation expenses incurred by company staff attending the trade show, free give-aways and other expenses – they all add up to a fairly large number. So naturally, you have to get good return on investment.

Pre-Exhibition Marketing Methods to Ensure More Footfalls at Your Stall

Whether you are looking for sales leads or to create a buzz for your brand, whether yours is a custom built exhibition stand or a modular design, success depends on getting the right people and the right volume to your booth.

Plan ahead

Research has shown that about 70% of attendees usually make a list of the stands they plan to visit long before they enter the exhibition hall or convention centre. Most individuals visit trade shows with the intent of finding products, services, and solutions so they have a predefined plan for the stalls they will visit during the event. Hence, it is necessary to ensure that visiting your exhibition stall becomes a part of your target audience’s agenda. To do that, they must be notified about your participation in an event in advance so that they are persuaded to visit your stall.

Here are 4 marketing methods to increase the footfall at your exhibition stall and maximize the return on your investment.

1. Harness the reach of social media

Social media is a great way to notify your target group that you are participating in a specific trade show. Create posts for your business page on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram and promote your exhibit. You can highlight features of your stall, introduce special offers, share videos of your product and invite visitors to come see/try the product up close.

2. Design a catchy email campaign

When it comes to email, there are two groups to target. Firstly your inhouse database of regular customers, local contacts and solid prospects. Secondly, the registered attendees of the trade show. Organisers will usually give you access to this list, so you can shortlist possible prospects and reach out to them.

Though the most ideal strategy would be to send personalised mails or invites, it may not be practical. In any case, email marketing is a really effective and inexpensive way of informing visitors and attracting leads. Here, rather than generic invitations, try highlighting a fresh offer or product feature that works as a hook to rouse curiosity and build interest in your product or company. 

3. Invest in digital marketing

While promoting your event on social media is free, it can be helpful to leverage paid ads and posts to ensure the right people see your communication through targeting. You could also build an interactive microsite with simple questions, drop-down lists etc. encouraging visitors to set an appointment for meeting at your stand. It’s a great way to ensure potential visitors visit your exhibition booth.

4. Go offline too

In addition to online channels, don’t forget to use every offline opportunity as well. You could publish advertisements in industry magazines to promote your exhibit and make a case for prospects to visit your trade show booth.

There are many companies who prefer to use snail mail too, sending creative invitations and direct mailers. In our increasingly digital world, holding attractive communication in your hand has its own appeal.

Conclusion

When planning your pre-exhibition marketing strategy, it’s worth remembering that even a creative exhibition stand design can draw crowds. But high footfall doesn’t always translate into success. A well-planned and efficiently-executed pre-exhibition marketing strategy can ensure that a high percentage of visitors are from your target demographic so you generate more relevant leads.

Benefits of Custom Exhibition Stand Design over Modular Designs

Best Custom Exhibition Stand Design In India?

Custom Exhibition Stand Design

Broadly speaking, there are two types of exhibition stands: custom and modular. Each has its pros and cons. Modular display stands are built from individual modular parts and usually consist of metal frames, connectors and the business’ chosen graphics. The stands are available in a range of standardized styles, and sizes, and they are simple to put together and take apart. The primary advantage of modular stands over custom exhibition stand design is the fact that they are more cost-effective, and have been designed for mobility and multiple usage.

On the other hand, custom exhibition stands are tailored to specific requirements. They offer scope to be creative with design and display ideas, and to make a statement that is exclusively and distinctively, YOU.

In this article, we take a more in-depth look at the plus points of custom exhibition stand design.

Get noticed

One hardly needs reminding that it’s a highly competitive world out there so you really need to stand out and get noticed. Your trade fair booth design needs to grab attention and attract footfall. With custom exhibition stand design, you get a chance to create something unique and innovative that stands a better chance of getting noticed. With a custom structure, bespoke graphics, strong branding and endless possibilities of videos, animations, virtual environments and interactive games – your custom stand is certain to make your stand memorable.

Build brand

Bespoke exhibition stands are designed with your brand at the heart. Style, graphics, colours, messaging – they can all be used to make your stand distinctive and memorable. A made-to-measure stand is an opportunity to present your corporate identity and brand values the way you want, with powerful messaging to reiterate and enhance your brand positioning. Custom exhibition stall design with creative flair and integrated branding approach will help you stand out on the crowded trade show floor.

Have flexibility

Custom stands can be designed to make optimal use of space. Depending on the stand you have booked, its dimensions, layout, open sides, etc., you can design structures and displays according to your exhibition objectives. You have the flexibility to use the space, map the visitor’s journey and plan displays for better ergonomics and visibility. You can also include features that can be modified and adapted for future shows, so your bespoke exhibition stand is a smart investment for your business.

Conclusion

Whilst a standardised, modular exhibition stand might be more affordable, and you can design panels as creatively as you like, it doesn’t offer the exciting possibilities of a bespoke stand. If you want to create a real buzz; if you want to make your business more eye-catching and memorable; custom exhibition stand design is the only way to go. A custom stand will exploit the benefits of extreme flexibility of design to create a structure that makes best use of given space, attracts the right visitors, achieves your exhibition goals, and builds your brand in the most impactful manner.