Article summary
- Q: How did the project start? Did you begin from a blank slate, or was there a brief?
- Q: What did the design process look like once you landed on a direction?
- Q: Why does art in the workplace matter?
- Q: Is there a difference between designing a mural for an office versus other spaces, especially since this one is meant to stay up long-term?
- Q: What's been the response to the finished piece?
- Q: Now that it's finished, what do you hope people feel about it six months or years from now?
- Q: Tell me about your mural business, how did you get into this?
As our Raleigh office settled into its new space, we kept coming back to one question: what should we do with our entryway? There’s a big wall visible right from the elevators, which is the first thing people see when they step into Atomic Object Raleigh.
We decided to bring in a local artist, Bella of Dearr Bella Designs, who also happens to be our Office Coordinator, to paint a mural in the space. Throughout the design process, we worked closely with Bella to land on a direction that truly reflects who we are as an office, makes a strong first impression, and energizes the space where we spend so much of our time.
Below is an interview with Bella about the process of turning a pretty open-ended ask into a piece of art that now anchors the whole office.
Q: How did the project start? Did you begin from a blank slate, or was there a brief?
A: “We started with a discovery call. It was a very exciting project because you didn’t know exactly what you wanted, but you had these really good pillars. You wanted the space to feel more energized and vibrant, and you felt the space was a little more corporate than the culture of the team. I had to deep-dive into what you guys do, and make mood boards of what makes software development dope.”
Q: What did the design process look like once you landed on a direction?
A: “It’s a lot of me looking at reference images, a lot of sketching, and a lot of throwing them away. You can do a whole design, and then you put it on the wall and realize this doesn’t make sense with the door right here. You have to take the space into consideration. I also had to create some boundaries for myself, like a timeline. For example, if I have a project that has a shorter timeline, I can’t do a super realistic piece because I know that that’s gonna take more time.”
Q: Why does art in the workplace matter?
A: “First impressions are really important, and art has a way of doing that without words. There’s so much personality that you guys have that there’s no way clients are going to get that just from walking into an office building. The mural is a snapshot of what you guys do. Also, we spend so much time at work, we might as well make this space your own.”
Q: Is there a difference between designing a mural for an office versus other spaces, especially since this one is meant to stay up long-term?
A: “I kept saying, it’s not just my work. I really wanted to represent what you guys do, and not tie it too tightly to moment, in a way where it can’t live with you throughout the year. When designing, if I get sick of a concept after a week or so, that’s probably not it. This one, I can still look at, and I still enjoy it.”
Q: What’s been the response to the finished piece?
A: “I think it’s fun watching people who aren’t in the office peek over while waiting for the elevator. While creating the mural, the security guards kept coming up to use the restroom but would linger for a second to watch. The feedback from the team has also been really positive.”
Q: Now that it’s finished, what do you hope people feel about it six months or years from now?
A: “I hope it’s a part of the office that they’re attached to. If you guys were ever going to move, I want that thought to cross your mind: ‘but are we going to have a new mural?’ I want it to be something that sticks with you.”
Q: Tell me about your mural business, how did you get into this?
A: “My first mural was over ten years ago, but I wasn’t professional when I did that. I did four in high school, and that kind of showed me I really liked it. I started leaning into the professional side in 2022. Before that I studied art entrepreneurship, and then I worked with 321 Coffee. Anytime they would open up a new location, I would design a pair of shoes, and then they would auction them off.
My first big mural was for Shop Local Raleigh, and then I did one for the city of Raleigh on the ground. I then did one for a yoga studio and a food truck. I like really, really small work and then huge work as well.”
Thanks to Bella for this interview, and stop by the Raleigh office to see the mural in person!
