Taking a break from dinosaurs, we wanted to post the 3rd Annual Shop a Le‘a fashion event, held this past March.  CS was hired again to create a fresh look for the stage (click Here to see previous stages).

Tying in with marketing, we elaborated on the floral icon used this year in advertising and GWP’s (gift with purchase).  We took the imagery and enlarged them 1000% to create large scale icons.

Each piece was mounted to a firm substrate and then contour cut.

Giant size puzzle.  We fit all the pieces together on-site. Each element was 4’-10’.

Original version of stage (we had several versions).  We built a working model to scale to ensure that our components would work.

Close up version of model.

Close up of the icons.  We wanted to make them look as if they were floating.

The completed look.

On the home stretch, all of the decor has been loaded in and the environments are being built.  Here are some images of Day Three:

Completed set in the downtown phase.

Have a wonderful weekend.  More posting on Monday.

About to head out the door for Day 3, but wanted to post some images from yesterday.

Headlines:  Dinosaur gives birth to man!

We “upcycled” Pearlridge Center’s christmas trees by turning the bases and frames into willow and hapu‘u trees.

Sneak peek!

It’s been one year since we began this blog.  Thanks so much for your feedback and support, it’s been fun posting our projects and retail info we find useful.  

Our first entry last year was the installation of “Giant Insects” at Pearlridge Center.  Well this year it’s Dinosaurs!  

CS is responsible for creating the environments in which the dinosaurs live. Over the next few days we will be posting photos of our day-to-day progress as we load in all of the props and visuals.

Today was the unloading of two 40’ containers.  All dinosaurs were un-crated, moved into the mall and then pieced together by the Kokoro technicians and Pearlridge Center crew.  Here are a few pix:

Pteranoden over Pearlridge’s Center Court

Before take-off.

T-Rex getting a little help.

Maiasaura Family

The fun continues tomorrow as we begin to bring in the decor and build the environments.

Autodesk, a company that builds Hollywood grade special effects software, has released a browser based web application called HomeStyler. The app allows users to create and manipulate a three dimensional space in real time. Their legacy of 3D experience is put to good use in creating a simple and productive experience within the browser. No software downloads are needed, only a fairly snappy computer with a modern browser. It’s designed for the homemaker, interior designer and architect. Hopefully the list of sponsors on the website means we’ll get to interact with virtual versions of current appliances and furniture.

Roomle is another browser based web application capable of three dimensional space planning similar to Homestyler. Although Roomle may not have big name endorsements like FLOR and Sherman-Williams, it looks like a modest ground-up program with a clean and simple workflow. Highlights: working from uploaded floorplans and the ability to share work in progress within the browser. (Video is in German)

Both websites are fairly new, so allow some time for each company to shake out the bugs. Either way, it’s a win-win for us. Now there’s no more excuses for putting off that remodel. Time to get to work.

Savvy trend forecaster PSFK has released their latest report, this time it focuses on the world of commercial retail. While the majority of the information deals with internet technology trends, some of the major highlights are more community centric: new forms of pop-up shops, group purchasing power and retail stores as curated lifestyle centers. This is not a stat filled street level perspective of the quarterly returns type report, but more of a wish list of good ideas and emerging trends. Take a few minutes to digest what they predict may be around the corner. You might be able to take the rest of the day off because of it.

PSFK presents Future of Retail report

View more presentations from PSFK.

NiceKicks.com is a website for shoe fanatics. Period. They uncover every possible style, color way, prototype and limited release they can get their hands on. From deciphering what NBA players are wearing on the court to blurry camera phone shots of Jay-Z on the town, shoes are their game. In the video above, founder Matt Halfhill explains the transition of the Nice Kicks website into a brick & mortar retail store.

There are plenty of unknown variables in this scenario. Pixels are typically cheaper than atoms and the ability to refresh shelving is harder than refreshing web pages. Motivated to explore past the confines of the digital world the Nice Kicks crew hope to create a store that is equal to the online experience. The upside: your readership can turn into instant customers. The downside: Your readers may live nowhere near your town.

Having your product or brand represented online is nothing new for retail. But the idea of providing a physical ‘portal’ for fans of your blog to connect and interact with each other is an emerging trend in retail. Opposite from the typical shoe store, Nice Kicks is an online magazine providing consumers with information and specs as to who carries the latest and greatest at the mall. Now they plan to be at both ends of the court (cough,cough). Not every website has what it takes to become a real store but some websites do. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more small online businesses transition from bits to bricks in the coming years.

The video above demonstrates a new generation of capsule hotels, overnight lodging similar to motels in the West, being developed in Japan. Sleeping in miniature pods is still a foreign concept to western society but the act of sleeping is equally shared across the Pacific. What the 9 Hours Hotel achieves in this video is the simplification of a very personal activity, going to bed. From the moment you step in, bold graphics guide you through your stay at the hotel, easily overcoming language barriers. What the 9 Hours Hotel gets correct is the attention to each step in the process of turning in. Secured storage lockers, private showers, clean amenities and complimentary supplies help to ease the anxiety of hurried or forgetful travelers.

By creating order and calm in your establishment can go a long way to generating a valuable customer experience. Intimately understanding your core product or service, and how your customer will ultimately want to be treated when purchasing it, will assist you in creating an atmosphere that is conducive to a positive customer experience.

Via Monocle

If your store had a voice, what would it say? How would it describe itself to passing shoppers? What tone of voice would it use to attract your attention? Is it soft or loud? Insane or intelligent?

As your store lacks the vocal ability to convince customers through it’s threshold, storefront and interior decor are the next best thing. Do you know if your store is communicating the right message? Do your customers receive a different message than the one you intended?

The Lomography Store in L.A. is a perfect example of a focused delivery of brand awareness and overall clarity. From the showcase of cameras, to the ceiling-high wall of photos, it is hard to miss the message. The interior is designed to promote the joy of photography; and will charm any passerby who isn’t a Lomo fan already. What may seem like a simple task, is actually the hardest challenge for most retailers today. Many stores will send mixed messages in the hopes of attracting different types of customers, but end up only confusing them (boutique or outlet, high-end or cost friendly, made locally or national reseller, choose one) By minimizing or removing distracting products, services or elements throughout your store can help focus your message. For the Lomography Store, the product display was obvious, but the challenge was to avoid becoming a museum of general photographic history. Lomo photography is a low-entry camera designed to make quirky and original images, the store should reflect that and nothing more.

Stand outside your store (or another) and listen for the message.

Via Kitsune Noir