Why does design matter in a retail space? And, how does it effect your customers experience? A creative studio in Helsinki tries to answer these questions by building a pop-up cafe with suspect furniture and fixtures. Like an episode of Candid Camera, the cafe is rigged with poorly designed furniture waiting to fail. Unsuspecting patrons are challenged with the uncomfortableness of good and bad design. And the Internet is involved.
Source: core77.com
An illuminating illustration demonstrating Apples dedication to design theory and practice in everything they do. via IFOApplestore
Source: ifoapplestore.com
What is your store communicating?
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.
GlobalShop 2010
Creative Solutions is packing up for a road trip. We will be attending this year’s GlobalShop held in Las Vegas. The first time we attended was in 2006 in Chicago and were blown away by the amount of resources there. We’ve been yearning to go back to see what’s new ever since.
GlobalShop hosts the latest vendors in retail and store design. Everything you need from lighting to signage and mannequins to fixtures. It is a visual merchandisers heaven.
Take a look at some photos of previous shows. We will be micro-blogging while there and will upload tons of photos upon our return. Follow us on Twitter, @iheartcs, for more images and tips from seminars we will be attending.
Alesco Booth
Infinity Booth
Musak Booth
This would be a dynamic, living backdrop to a store window or a great use for unused tenant spaces. The project is called Window Farms and is the brainchild of NY artists Britta Riley and Rebecca Bray. (via Cool Hunting)
Wonderwall & Nike Town
An interview with Masamichi Katayama of Wonderwall for their new design work at Nike Town - Harajuku, Tokyo. (via coolhunting)
Pantone Color of the Year 2010
Pantone Color Institute®, the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, unveils PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise as the color of the year 2010.
It is described as “an inviting, luminous hue”. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green.” This color of the year will evoke thoughts of tranquility while restoring the “sense of well being”.
Whether or not it calms and relaxes you, Turquoise pairs well with any other color in the spectrum while it creates excitement to neutrals and browns.
Pantone® colors are used in ever aspect of design. From fashion, home decor to paint colors and special events. Take a look at some pieces that we began spotting at the end of 2009 and the first few days of the year:
Both pieces from Jonathan Adler.
Dayna B. cut glass votive set, Sears.
Shine Citrine Pendant, Candalabra
Graphic Tote (Hawai‘i designer), Maliko Design via Lei Chic
Eva Mendes in Michael Kors
Wafer Cake, via Martha Stewart Weddings
Supplements NY, 800-631-3844
With Love flower note, Hammerpress
Color Trends for 2010
If you are thinking of starting off the new year with a fresh look for your store, home or office, Pantone has released their 2010 forecast for this year’s hottest color trends for Home and Interiors.
Pantone Color Institute is the leading color authority for over 45 years. Their forecast of colors are used in fashion to home decor and from paint to wedding decorations.
Here are three palettes that we find interesting:
Green Market:
“The need for healthier and more artisanal foods has grown from traditional farmers’ markets to greenmarkets. Found on country roads or urban lots, these visually appealing and tastetempting sites invite us to stop and sample a broader and more diverse selection of goods and goodies. From Tomato Puree and Beaujolais with the tang of Super Lemon or bite of Apple Green, to the more exotic flavors of Dijon, Paprika and Chutney, Greenmarket contains representational hues that entice and appeal to both the eyes and the taste buds.”
Gatherings:
“Inspired primarily by the continent of Africa with its vastness and complexities, Gatherings brings together a compilation of colors that demonstrate the uniqueness of the region. Artifacts and handicrafts reflect a creative boldness that is expressed in a panoply of appropriately named colors: Cypress green, Smoke Blue, Sand and Oasis mixed with the magic of Twilight Mauve, the piquancy of Lemon Curry and the heated glimmer of Copper Coin.”
Galaxy:
“Purveyor and source of light, the mysterious Galaxy is well reflected in a palette that truly illustrates the harmony of hue found in the nocturnal sky. Mirroring the colors of the earth, the greens, called Greener Pastures and Peridot, are powerfully contrasted against the deepest extraterrestrial blues, silver and stormy violets. Brilliant sprays of turquoise and a radiating orchid tone enhance the atmosphere, while Rich Gold embodies the energy and splendor of the epicenter of it all – the sun.”
If you would like a more in depth look at all color trends for 2010, take a look at the video above. The video clip begins with “Design and color trends are not conjured up in a crystal ball. They are the result of much observation of the surrounding natural world, as well as the influences that will impact the world of the future. They include social issues, the economy, technology, lifestyles and playstyles. Diversions and entertainments and most importantly, the needs, moods, fantasies and aspirations of consumers that are then translated into appropriate styling, colors and combinations.”
Festival Lighting
If you’ve headed down to Ward Warehouse recently you may have noticed a little more festivity. The center contacted Creative Solutions to design a lighting layout for their concourse. This was a great first project with them.
After extensive measuring (the walking tape measure is our new best friend!), we drafted a hang point plan and materials list needed for the project.
Being environmentally conscious, we recommended the use of LED lights. They consume 90% less electricity and the bulb life is estimated to be 50,000-100,000 hours.
This is a great way to update a property, store front or window. During the holidays or special events, the clear bulbs can be replaced with colored ones (i.e.-4th of July add red and white, for Christmas incorporate red or green.)
May you have a Festive Holiday!
Holiday Planning
Visual tools are so helpful when planning out an installation. It focuses our time and energy on the necessary elements needed, but it helps our clients envision the end result. Here is an example of how graphic illustrations come to life.
This is the option that was chosen for Ala Moana Center’s stage holiday decor.
Here is the final look!
A few tweaks here and there and it’s a perfect fit.
For more planning ideas, take a look at our other post Ala Moana Center Stage. We use a working model for this year’s Shop a Le’a event.
