What do Google, MIT and Nordstrom have in common — besides that is, being globally-recognized brands and class leaders? Well, if you head out to Mountain View, Cambridge or Seattle to visit their respective headquarters, you’ll see something on the walls that will catch your eye, capture your attention, engage your emotions, and even educate you on something useful and relevant. No, I’m not talking about flat screen monitors, electronic banners, or posters. I’m talking about wall murals.
Basically, wall murals are large print-based graphic decals affixed to (as you might assume) walls, but also to windows, floors and ceilings as well. Depending on the material, it’s also possible to place decals on the exterior of a building, and some businesses even use these in place of conventional signs. And as for design possibilities: virtually anything goes, from colors and fonts, to graphics and logos, to size and shape, and the list goes on.
Just as the creative possibilities are pretty much wide open there are many ways to use a wall mural. Here are some of the most common applications:
- To promote a product, service, event, etc. It’s even possible to add a QR code (or several), and businesses can use mobile geofencing to proactively inform people when they’re within close proximity of a wall mural.
- To liven up an environment or space that, frankly, a lot of people don’t necessarily want to be in (e.g. hospitals, airports, dental practices, courthouses, etc.).
- To display products in a compelling, larger-than-life way in a storefront display area. This even works for B2B companies that want to show what finished products look like (i.e. a company that manufactures warehouse safety equipment can have a mural showing workers wearing or using the equipment).
- To boost employee engagement. Instead of generic artwork that nobody notices, or motivational posters that stopped motivating anyone around 1998, wall murals can tell a compelling story or send a colorful, creative message that can boost morale.
- To celebrate a milestone or achievement, such as quality certification, 10-year anniversary, and so on. Putting a timeline on this kind of wall mural can also be a good idea.
- To cover up a less-than-attractive (read: ugly) wall. In this way, a wall mural is like next-generation wallpaper.
- To direct customers on where to go (e.g. “for the best wings this side of Buffalo, take the next exit, turn right on Main Street and head straight for the Dancing Chicken”).
The Bottom Line
While wall murals aren’t new, they’re growing in popularity because in addition to standing out for all of the right reasons, they’re relatively inexpensive compared to other marketing and communication options (e.g. billboards, conventional business signs, etc.), and they’re also removable — so if the message no longer applies or there’s a desire for something different, it’s simply out with the old wall mural, and in with the new.
