Artwork that uplifts space and experience

Open Universities Australia (OUA) engaged Mahé Design to elevate key areas of their office through considered artwork and environmental design. The aim was to create work that feels modern, calming, and supportive of OUA’s people and purpose, integrated naturally into the space rather than reading as branding.

The existing artwork, created in 2016, had brought colour and positivity to the workplace, but OUA were ready for a refreshed visual language that reflected who they are today. The new direction needed to feel contemporary and refined, sit comfortably within open-plan, high-traffic areas, and align with OUA’s values without feeling promotional. A site visit informed the approach, allowing the artwork to be designed in response to light, materials, scale, and movement throughout the office.

The artwork was developed as a connected system rather than a series of standalone pieces. Subtle references to OUA’s brand were expressed through form, colour, and balanced composition, creating work that feels supportive and considered. Each piece was tailored to its specific location, with size, flow, and environmental context guiding the final outcomes.

A key feature of the project was the reception artwork, designed to create an immediate sense of connection for visitors. Drawing inspiration from a bead maze, the concept uses flowing wire pathways threaded with rotating beads. Each bead represents a university partner, while the pathways reflect the many directions students can take, emphasising choice, flexibility, and guidance without a single prescribed destination. The surrounding space was kept intentionally light, allowing the reception desk to remain the focal point while the artwork enhances the experience.

The final suite of 15 artworks supports OUA’s spaces in a way that feels calm, confident, and inclusive. Soft, organic forms and restrained use of colour create a welcoming environment, while the design language quietly reflects the journeys and connections at the heart of OUA’s community. The result is artwork that elevates the workplace and communicates values through experience rather than words.