The Art of Productivity: Can Digital Art Help Bring People Back to the Office?
As organisations continue to encourage employees back into the workplace, many are asking: what makes an office worth the commute?
According to award-winning research from Sharp's global integration partner, Kinly, the answer may lie in creating workplaces that are not only functional, but inspiring. Their The Art of Productivity study, based on insights from 1,000 office workers and 425 enterprise AV professionals, explores how technology, design and digital experiences can influence productivity, wellbeing and workplace satisfaction.
The findings challenge traditional thinking about workplace technology. Rather than simply supporting meetings and communications, displays and AV solutions can help create environments that boost focus, stimulate creativity and encourage employees to spend more time in the office.
The research was recently recognised with Gold for B2B Campaign of the Year at the PR Moment Awards 2026, highlighting both the quality of the research and its relevance to organisations rethinking the future of work.
The challenge facing today's workplaces
As employees have become accustomed to highly personalised home working environments, many offices have struggled to keep pace.
Kinly's research found that 34% of workers would consider leaving a job because of a dull or uninspiring workplace, rising significantly among younger age groups. At the same time, 77% of AV professionals believe that thoughtfully designed, technology-enhanced workspaces can boost productivity.
These findings highlight an important challenge for organisations seeking to encourage employees back into the office. The workplace must offer more than a desk and a meeting room, it needs to provide an experience that supports focus, collaboration, creativity and wellbeing.
Technology as a creative tool
To bring these findings to life, Kinly transformed the launch of The Art of Productivity into an immersive event at the London Stock Exchange. Research insights were brought to life across the venue's iconic digital screens, including vast LED displays by Sharp. As content evolved throughout the space, attendees were drawn into a compelling visual narrative that transformed research data into an engaging and memorable journey.
Kinly also hosted an art gallery experience where visitors could explore the findings through a guided audio tour. Digital artworks were showcased on Sharp MultiSync® large format displays, uniquely presented on artist easels to blur the boundaries between technology and traditional art. Together, these installations transformed the report into a multi-sensory experience, demonstrating how technology, workplace design and visual environments can influence focus, creativity and productivity.
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Why this matters for organisations
At a time when organisations are investing heavily in attracting employees back to the office, the quality of the workplace environment has become an increasingly important consideration.
Whether displaying digital art, company storytelling or other visual content, professional displays have the ability to transform underutilised spaces into environments that feel inspiring, welcoming and purposeful. In doing so, they can support employee wellbeing, strengthen organisational culture and brand identity, improve communication across shared spaces, and encourage collaboration and creativity.
Importantly, these benefits extend far beyond traditional meeting room applications. As Kinly's research demonstrates, display technology can influence how people feel, interact and perform within a space, making it a valuable tool for organisations looking to create workplaces where employees can do their best work.
Storebrand Group: Harmony and collaboration in the workplace
At Storebrand Group’s office space in Stavanger, Norway, two giant LED walls elevate the central staircase space with images from nature, generating a sense of tranquillity, whilst providing multipurpose functionality as presentation screens.
Bringing workplace experiences to life
Sharp has long believed that display technology should do more than simply present information. It should help organisations create meaningful experiences.
Whether deployed as large format digital canvases, collaborative workspaces or immersive visual installations, displays have the potential to transform how people interact with their environment.
Kinly's award-winning research provides compelling evidence that workplace design, technology and human experience are increasingly interconnected. As organisations continue to rethink the future of work, the ability to create engaging visual environments may become an important differentiator in attracting, retaining and inspiring employees.
Congratulations to Kinly on this well-deserved industry recognition and for helping to drive an important conversation about the future of workplace experience.
Explore the full research findings here: The Art of Productivity by Kinly