It’s easy to become distracted while sitting at your desk. But what if that distraction were more meaningful? What if it actually stimulated creativity, helped you to refocus and ended up boosting productivity? That is the idea behind Monesk, a monthly subscription service featuring new art that can be displayed at your desk.
The company was launched in 2020 amidst the Pandemic when most of the world began working from home. Founder, Mark Baur wanted to give people something to look forward to each month as a small opportunity for discovery and offer access to new art at a time when museums and galleries have closed. He spoke with us about the concept, launching in the time of Covid-19 and how he stays focused and positive with all that’s going on around us.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for Monesk?
It started when I was trying to come up with a way to market my baby brother’s art he was making on his iPhone. I’m a big proponent of the arts and figuring out ways to support artists. It started with the question: What would I want? What would compel me to subscribe? I quickly realized it could be a whole new category of art for the place we spend our most time—at our desks. It breaks up the monotony of our work day, reminds us to be mindful, expands our knowledge and supports the arts all at the same time.
Q: What have been the positives and negatives of launching during the pandemic?
The response to Monesk’s tiny desk art has been wonderful, but it’s overwhelmingly positive when people actually get it in their hands. I’ve had all kinds of thoughts about customer booths in areas with high foot traffic where we could distribute samples, but social distancing during the pandemic makes that difficult. So we’re trying to figure out digital alternatives that are just as compelling.
Q: How do you choose the artwork?
We have an art curator who is an artist herself and well-educated on what makes art good. As subjective as art is, we want our subscribers to trust we know what we’re talking about as we select the art that will sit on their desks. We look for pieces that move us, and then look for a consistent message across their body of work. Then we look at the artist themselves and for inspiring stories that inform their work.
Q: How has art helped to enhance your work from home space?
It’s really made it neat to have something new each month. I love being able to take my eyes off my screen for a moment, look at the art and see something I hadn’t seen in it before.
Q: Studies show meaningful distractions can help boost productivity. Have you discovered any other productivity boosting tips that you can share?
I generally have three kinds of books I read on an ongoing basis, all at the same time: Biographical, business-related, and inspirational / spiritual. If I find myself feeling anxious or getting in a rut, I pause and read a chapter in any of the books I’m reading. Helps to ground me in the bigger picture that we’re all a part of. And that takes away some of the pressure to perform, which is so often a barrier to productivity.
Mark Baur
Media Professional
Bauer has more than 10 years editing and production experience and is an advocate for fair compensation in the arts.
