When MarCom Group began planning the move to our new headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, one major priority emerged for the design of the new location. This space should reflect who we are: A team driven by creativity, teamwork, and the colorful world in which we live. So instead of hiring an outside design firm, our award-winning creative team took the lead in creating the look and feel of our brand new home.
And right at the heart of that vision stands a bold, bright, and thoroughly captivating mural, conceived and crafted by our own Matt Corrado, Associate Creative Director and accomplished muralist himself. As it turns out, the creation of a piece like this is similar to the work we do every day: It’s a little bit of art, a little bit of strategy, and a lot of collaboration.
From Empty to Inspiring
“The whole thing happened naturally,” Matt said. “With us having a new space, Bryan Clark, Vice President of Creative Services, and the creative team were given the opportunity to build it out how we wanted. Rather than bringing in another company to design the office, we got to do it ourselves, which was exciting. It felt like we were handed a blank canvas.”
Matt is no stranger to large-scale mural projects, and his experience in the medium made him the clear choice to bring our new walls to life. “Bryan knew I had that background,” he said. “So it was a no-brainer to make it bright, vibrant, and fun. We wanted to do something that represented MarCom Group’s creativity.”
A Blend of Pop Art and Brand Sophistication
A graphically inspired pop-art approach provided the foundation for the design (think Lobo meets Roy Lichtenstein for all you art enthusiasts out there). Equally important, of course, was placing the MarCom Group brand front and center. “We pulled in all of our brand colors and the MarCom Group logo,” Matt explained. “It’s a mix of that pop-art style and our identity as an agency. The goal was to create powerful visual symbolism that reflects the nature of our work.”
A Collaborative Effort
Like most things at MarCom Group, the mural wasn’t a solo endeavor. Over the course of its creation, several teammates lent a hand to get the project across the finish line. The family trio of Deb, Bob, and Lauren Rainford picked up their brushes to help complete the signature “M” logo at the mural’s center. “They actually got hands-on,” Matt said. “So they’re part of the mural too. That was really fun. At the end of the day, we’re all a team.”
The Centerpiece of a New Chapter
The completed artwork is now the pièce de résistance of our new Arlington office, serving as a visual centerpiece and a monument to who we are: a passionate, inspired, and talented team worth more than the sum of its parts. It is the first thing people see when they walk into the office, and they will remember it when they leave.
We can’t wait to officially open our doors on Thursday, November 13, and welcome clients, partners, and friends to experience the new space for themselves. We would say, “Make sure to check out the mural,” but … you can’t miss it!