Art and storytelling are inseparable. No matter what type of art it is, there’s always a story behind it—that’s where part of its beauty lies. And in this form of storytelling, art serves as the exclamation point to a sentence, as pointed out by IDr. Janlyn de Leon, PIID, Design Manager for Hurray Design. Just as this punctuation mark is meant to emphasize emotion and evoke strong feelings of happiness, excitement, and even melancholy, the artwork is also created to establish an emotional connection to its owner.

Putting artworks in your home completes your personal space’s visual narrative, as they’re like the puzzle pieces that give a clearer picture of how your home reflects your personality. “Art is subjective… Choosing art is very personal,” quips renowned visual artist and sculptor Jinggoy Buensuceso. There may be several factors that must be taken into consideration when deciding on an artwork to purchase or invest in, but it ultimately boils down to whether a particular piece speaks to you on a deeper, meaningful level. 

Here are more things we learned from Janlyn and Jinggoy in their “The Art of Selecting Art” webinar:

1. Choose an artwork that makes you happy. In the same way, Hurray Design’s mantra focuses on “design made happy,” an artwork you’ll decide to use as an accent in your home must be something you’ll be happy to see every day. Artworks are usually strategically placed where you can most appreciate it—be it in a common area or your private room. So, if they don’t inspire, motivate, or uplift your spirit in any way, then ask yourself, “What’s the point of displaying them?”   

2. Get to know your commissioned artist. Jinggoy has an insightful tip when you’re exploring artists to collaborate with. It’d be better if you work with an artist you personally know. Jinggoy says, “When you have an artist commissioned for an art piece at home, it’s like inviting that person into your home forever.” It’s important that this artist is somebody who is welcome in your home.

3. Decide whether you want an art piece that mainly serves a visual purpose or functional art. A hybrid artist, Jinggoy excels in creating both and constantly blurs the line between the two in order to put forth unique pieces. He has iconic creations such as the origami and topography which are primarily statement-making, decorative accents. But he also has masterpieces that are utilitarian, like the Doodle Chair. Consider both options and decide which you feel best complements an area in your home.

4. Are you going for real art or commercial art pieces? Jinggoy admits this is a sensitive topic, but one that must be tackled when you’re filling up your home with artworks. Whether you’ll go with real art or commercial art pieces is a decision dependent on factors like budget and your preference. Real art is something that can’t be easily replicated as it’s one-off; since it’s handmade, no two artworks can ever be identical. It’s an investment piece that you had customized for yourself, and therefore something very personal. Despite it being the more expensive option, there’s also the fact that an artwork’s value increases over time. Commercial art pieces, though affordable and readily available, are mass produced so they’re not unique to you. But then again, if their aesthetic makes you happy, then that’s all that matters. 

5. Lighting is very important. Especially if you invested in an art piece, you must make sure it gets highlighted the best way possible. With Hurray Design, it’s a part of their process to consult the artist on how best to highlight their creation. As Janlyn says, it’s not just about hanging or placing an artwork. In Jinggoy’s case, to ensure his artworks are best showcased, he would even do site visits to see where the light comes from and what kind of shadows it will cast. Jinggoy says that working with nature is something that’s very poetic for him.

To learn more about how to pick out designer art pieces for your space, then watch the full webinar here.