Cultivate a Stronger Brand through Biophilic Design

One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” - William Shakespeare

From lush rainforests to amber sunsets and vermillion canyons to erupting waterfalls, people are instinctively drawn to nature. It’s just how we were made. Marketing and search data backs that up as well. Search interest of the term “biophilic design” has been consistently increasing during the last five years, including a spike in 2023. The meaning of the word, biophilia (similar to biophilic design), comes from several Greek words: “bios,” which means life, and “philia,” which means love. When you put those concepts together, biophilia is our affinity, interest and connection to the natural world around us.

With an innate desire for nature design in our spaces, businesses are taking this deep need to heart and incorporating greenery inspired from the outdoors. Brands have also begun adding natural elements throughout more urban environments. As a result of this trend, modern interior decor is becoming a beautiful marriage of aesthetics and functionality. Here are some ways that you can incorporate this trend into your space.

Make Business Grow with Biophilic Design

Bring biophilic design into your building with several visually stunning options depending on your need. Living walls, artificial greenery walls and moss decor are a few of the many ways to cultivate a naturally designed space.

Living and Greenery Walls

Living walls and non-living greenery walls can bring a room to life. They have different care needs, with living walls requiring more maintenance. While lush tropical plants might be a style fit for a balmy, Florida location, there are other options for a desert climate such as succulents, which require much less water. With decor styles such as desert bohemian, the popular choice of a succulent wall can incorporate a variety of plants for a colorful installation.

For a similar look with lower maintenance and lower cost, artificial greenery walls are a smart option. They can remain outside in the sun without being damaged, and they require no pruning or watering. They’re also a perfect choice for outdoor patios at restaurants or event spaces, a delightful backdrop for photographs with friends.

Living walls bring the outdoors in and reduce noise levels, enhance the air and regulate temperatures. Photo by Scott Webb

“Greenery has the ability to soften spaces, introduce dynamic elements, and even change with the seasons. Incorporating living plants or preserved moss can enhance air quality, and interestingly, they have been shown to reduce noise and help regulate temperatures,” shared Brian Boehm, Vice President of Technology & Supply Chain, FASTSIGNS International, Inc.

Moss Decor

A third popular option that has taken off in the world of biophilic design is Moss Art. Torrie Savage and Paula Bartlett, who began The Savage Way to provide eco-friendly Clean Graffiti Art, were later drawn to enter the Moss Art space from the inspiration of a client.

The Savage Way founders love sharing the creative and healing benefits of Moss Art. Photo credit: The Savage Way team

Moss comes in various types including reindeer moss, whole moss, mood moss and more. It can last a long time as long as you don’t hang it in direct sunlight which leads to fading. Moss has gone through a preservation process, so even the greens are dyed back. Moss used at companies like The Savage Way is made naturally without harmful chemicals.

"Nature is a huge part of my life and something that I seek out daily. In our overly-technological world, I like to touch grass to keep myself grounded. When we began offering Moss Art almost a decade ago, it truly became the perfect combination of arts and advertising…Using plants to create logos, artwork and green walls in a corporate environment allows us to have a real impact on keeping that connection to nature alive,” shared Paula Bartlett, Co-Owner of The Savage Way.

Why Moss Art?

With the moss industry market projected to grow, Savage knows the rise in popularity is absolutely necessary for our society. While this trend has been big in Europe for years, having nature inside truly does something to our psyche, according to Savage, which she is seeing catching on here in the U.S.

“We spend so much of our time indoors, and if we can help cultivate more wellness, that’s wonderful. It’s been really cool to be a part of an industry that creates a sense of calm for people, even if it’s subconscious,” said Savage.

The Savage Way creates an aesthetically pleasing space for a Charlotte, NC restaurant. Photo credit: The Savage Way team

Moss is incredibly durable and affordable compared to fully living walls. If you incorporate a full greenery wall, the maintenance with watering, drainage and staff would require a large budget. And while moss has to be strictly installed indoors, this responsibly sourced option is truly unique, providing a conversation starter or photo background that creates community and elevates people’s mood. In addition, it’s a sustainable option as some types are air purifiers, which reduce the use of electronic systems.

“I love seeing it in corporate spaces, because it sets a different tone. Hopefully we see more people understanding what we’re doing and incorporating that. We need our workspaces to work for us - and make us happier,” Savage shared.

Incorporate Natural Design Elements and Texture

Give Many Nods to Nature

Biomorphic design is the part of biophilic design that can also include the styles, shapes and patterns of materials to mirror things seen in nature. Whether it’s a shell pattern or curves that mimic the rings of a tree, incorporating these types of design shapes creates an innate connection between people and nature. These natural design elements can resonate on a deeper level as they are more harmonious and fluid in nature.

An orthodontic studio brings the calming feel of nature design into their office space.

Another aspect of this trend involves utilizing elements that come from or look like things of the earth. For example, a business’ monument signs might be created in a more cost-effective way with material made to look like stone. Wooden signs, wood-styled graphics or overlay films can be used on a variety of surfaces such as walls, windows and doors. This helps carry the natural atmosphere further and create continuity throughout a space.

Visually Illuminate Your Space

Light is a pertinent yet overlooked aspect of biophilia that can quickly capture attention and elevate the customer experience. It can cast playful shadows and add a textural quality, keeping the eye engaged and delighted, especially when paired with a greenery wall. Not only does light enhance custom signs and visuals, it can impact us on a psychological level. Lighting is both powerful enough to increase our emotional intensity or calm us. Natural lighting has also been proven to improve mood as well as boost alertness. So whether you want to create action or slow the pace for people who enter your space, you can effectively utilize light to bring about a desired reaction.

Case Study: How Biophilic Design Enhanced a Church's Mission in “Green City”

A transformative greenery wall becomes a focal point to highlight a church’s ongoing mission.

FASTSIGNS transformed Christ Community Church’s space with an innovative greenery and wood wall, blending storytelling and design to support their mission in relocating Indonesia's capital city. The project’s challenge lay in installing 3' x 3' artificial plant tiles without interfering with aluminum stand-off barrels for an acrylic map. Careful 3D planning and precise alignment brought the vibrant “Green City” installation to life. Faced with last-minute lighting needs, FASTSIGNS adapted, installing accent lighting to emphasize textures and shadows. Beyond a visual display, this centerpiece fosters engagement and supports the church's ongoing mission and community involvement.

Add Naturally Inspiring Color Palettes

Color is a valuable tool for marketers to leverage in biophilic design; it can mean all the difference in making an impression. According to Review42, colors influence up to 90% of an initial impression. From significantly impacting our behavior to influencing emotions, science proves the value that color brings. Earth tones such as browns, blues, greens and more continue to experience popularity in the design world. In fact, well-known paint companies love to highlight their annual colors, and many are often inspired by nature.

Color is an important part of incorporating biophilic design into a space. Photo credit: Cottonbro Studio

Create a more colorfully immersive experience with custom signs and graphics from FASTSIGNS.

Leverage Biophilic Design for your Brand

With our desire for connection to the natural world, biophilic design is the method for bringing our favorite outdoor elements into our work and living spaces. By incorporating greenery, natural color palettes, light and organic shapes and textures, you can communicate care, create impact and build a deeper bond with anyone who enters your space.

Stay tuned for part two in our series on biophilic design, where we will share how biophilic design is one key to unlocking workplace wellness.

Want to discover how to visually transform your business? Contact FASTSIGNS to find ways that biophilic design can help convey your brand message and build a stronger brand presence.