revisioning retail

weeks 13, 14, 15 : WRAPPING IT UP

2009-11-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

Please note updates [as discussed in class 11.18] in RED below:

1961 magazine ad for handi-wrap : courtesy of pink ponk

As outlined in class last Monday, for your final presentation, you are to create 3 information/inspiration folders (one for me, one for Joe Erba and one for yourself) that detail your schematic ideas for The Hatchery based on the following topics we have studied this semester:

branding
materials
display
fixture design
merchandising
programming + space planning
marketing
concept

While 'concept' as listed independently, remember that it should weave all the pieces of the puzzle together. Not staying true to it, puts your work in jeopardy of lacking cohesion and focus. The folders are due ~~Tuesday, November 24 at 5pm~~ no later than 1 pm, Monday, November 30.

In addition, as the final critique will be in the form of an exhibition, instead of creating a powerpoint presentation, as initially discussed, you will need to create an 18"x24" poster that speaks to your project as a whole. This portion of the final project is due at the ~~beginning of class Monday, November 30~~ posted in the exhibition space [TBA] by noon on Wednesday, December 2. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about this on Wednesday.

M [11|16] : workday, desk crits with Tommy

W [11|18] : workday

F [11|20] : workday

M [11|23] : workday

T [11|24] : folders due by 5pm

W [11|25] : thanksgiving break!

M [11|30] : final deadline for folders : 1pm

W [12|2] : final exhibition, posters must be up by 12noon

red shoes on air

2009-11-02T06:14:00.000-08:00

Congrats Red Shoe group!

week ten, part two | OPENING THE HATCH

2009-10-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

image by vaXine

Now that you've freed your mind via writing, you are to continue 'hatching' your ideas through sketches. Consider the many scales at which your concept can be present -- including, but not limited to : accent lighting; ambient lighting; color; ceilings; entryways; floor fixtures; floor layout; in-store displays; joints and details; level changes; materials; product adjacencies; promotional graphics; props; store facade; signage; texture; wall fixtures; window displays...

For Wednesday, November 4 [at 1 pm], illustrate your ideas about these many facets and more by taking us on a guided pictorial tour through your space via a minimum of 10 images on your blog. In this series of annotated and rendered perspective sketches, explore light, color and materiality within The Hatchery. Use notes to speak specifically about your choices and how they reinforce your concept.

Consider this a brain dump. You can change your ideas as you go along, the key is to getting them on paper. Prior to sketching, if you have not already done so, you may find it helpful to create an inspiration board that speaks to your concept with a broader brush. The images on this board can provide much guidance in the decisions you make while sketching...including, at a most basic level, what color marker to use for what.

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Finally, among your final deliverables for The Hatchery Project will be a detailed information/inspiration folder. This exquisitely crafted anthology will reflect both the brand of your retail space and your design aesthetic from layout to size to construction. Envision this piece as something that UNCG can use in generating interest in The Hatchery, as well as a supplement of your own portfolio – something you can take with you to any job interview. You will need to make three copies of this piece (one for yourself, one for Joe Erba and one for me) so it is a good idea to consider early on how you will execute this artifact and the information you will include in it: process, drawings, specifications, inspirations, etc. ~~One specific piece of information to be included in this folder is a CD highlighting your final proposal.~~

F [10.31] : a spooktacular workday
M [11.2]: Salvation Army Select
W [11.4] : Salvation Army Select, Opening the Hatch Due on Blog

week ten, part one | FREE YOUR MIND

2009-10-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

take a tip from en vogue...

Chances are that you already know much more about how the Hatchery will take physical form than you think you do. Hidden deep within the recesses of your mind are lots of ideas waiting to get out. Your objective today is simply to release them, or in other words, free your mind!

Expanding upon your case study analyses, inspiration investigation and process thus far, spend the next hour writing a narrative that begins to speak to your conceptual framework/intent. What are the pieces you have so far? How do they work together? How do they tie back to the functions of the Hatchery? Greensboro? It may help if you approach this assignment through the eyes of guest visiting for the first time. What do they see from the time they approach the space to the time they exit with [hopefully] shopping bag in hand? Consider the entire space, but focus at length on the retail experience.

This is a free write, meaning your composition can take any shape. It must, however, be posted on your blog. At 2:30 you will read and respond to the writings of the classmate listed below and above you on the blog list. In your comments to your peers be sure to include constructive criticism that can help them in the days to come.

We will meet in the conference room at 3:00 where we will discuss the next phase of this project.

shoes on the move

2009-10-28T06:32:00.001-07:00

When you have a moment, check out the photos Tim has kindly taken of our Salvation Army Select efforts thus far. They are filed in the drop box in the Revisioning Retail folder. Thanks Tim!

week nine, part two | BIG, BOLD, BALLSY IDEAS

2009-10-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

The past few days have required you to think concretely. The challenge is to now take what you know and use the other side of your brain (the one we love) to think abstractly.

For the next week, let your mind wander, exploring ideas of what The Hatchery can be, with the goal of generating a plethora of ideas through models, drawings, magazine clippings, inspiration boards, blog posts, etc. Be creative. Be thoughtful. Think conceptually.

While you’ve defined a program that can serve as a guide --- do not let it fall in the way as a burden, preventing innovative solutions. It’s imperative that you begin this process outside the box as it will be much easier to reign yourself back in later than to spend the whole time working within the box’s square boundaries.

If you find that, along with your concept, comes a change in the branding of the Hatchery (as expressed by Ashley) this too is ok. Be a visionary.

F [10.23] : workday + desk crits
M [10.26] : workday + desk crits

week nine | GET WITH THE PROGRAM

2009-10-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

'...and in last place' by Tim Norris

Eight weeks down, seven to go.... Makes your heart race a little, doesn't it? And just like with any good competition, the speed picks up towards the end. During the next three weeks your time will be divided between finishing up things with The Salvation Army Select and diving head first into The Hatchery. It is imperative, now more than ever, that you balance your time in and out of class to give your best to both of these meaningful opportunities.

But on to your immediate goal : Based on the information you uncovered in week 7 | TAKING STOCK, define the programmatic requirements for the Hatchery (with special attention to the retail, collaboration and client meetings spaces). Over the weekend, craft a bubble diagram utilizing your best graphic skills, that reveals your thoughts regarding these needs, as well as the resulting hierarchical, spacial and adjacency considerations. This should be posted both at your desk and on your blog.

display by last year's retail studio

For Wednesday, October 21:

Building on your initial programmatic investigation, dig deeper to uncover all the detailed information necessary to move forward in the schematic design of the Hatchery. As a general rule, think of this information as all the research that would typically belong in a formal programming document (Don't know what all that entails? Time to do some research). Create a visual system within the studio for organizing the information you find. This system should be legible from a distance of 5 feet and speak to the project at both macro and micro levels. For this exercise, err on the side of providing too much information. As always, use your best graphic skills.

A little tip : you may find it best to complete this phase in small groups or even as a class.

shoe box store seminar

2009-10-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

Our studio has been invited to an IIDA sponsored Retail/Hospitality Forum event featuring a presentation by Joe Baer, founder of ZenGenius LLC. Baer's career encompasses several years of progressive and innovative leadership in the Visual Merchandising and Special Events industries. He is a creative entrepreneur and creative force.

What is the difference between Visual Merchandising and Interior Design? How can learning more about visual merchandising improve your design work and create additional opportunities for retail and service projects? Understand the basics and guiding principles of visual merchandising and improve your skills as an Interior Designer.

This information session will include a review of the Retail Industry, history, terms, trends and great examples of how retail merchandising and interior design are being used in tandem to create extraordinary retail experiences. In addition, your skills and knowledge will be put to the test with hands-on quick merchandising exercises and an exciting visual challenge.

You have two chances to attend this seminar (next week!) :

Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Triangle City Center
6:00 pm registration
6:30-8:00 pm presentation, refreshments
Cameron Village Shopping Center
Former Talbot’s Kids Store
438 Woodbern Road
Raleigh, NC 27605
RSVP: iida.nctriangle[at]gmail[dot]com

Thursday, October 15, 2009
Charlotte City Center
11:30 am registration
12:00-1:30 pm presentation, lunch
Apostrophe Lounge
1440 S. Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28203
RSVP: Erna Perelle, eperelle[at]gmail[dot]com

Cost :
$5 Student members
$10 Student non-members

RSVP's were due....well, yesterday. However, we'll talk about this in class tomorrow and if enough of you would like to attend, we'll see what we can do...

week seven | TAKING STOCK

2009-10-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

logo by Ashley Boycher

Already have some marvelous ideas 'hatching'? Eggcellent! Store these in your mind and sketchbooks for safe keeping as we turn our attention this week to clearing up details that will shape the way we work the remainder the semester.

| precedent research |
Building from the examples Ashley noted in her presentation, you are to identify and analyze 10 environments that share qualities (in style, substance and/or theory) to that of the proposed Hatchery. As in your previous case study investigation, you should include a range of examples, both near and far. These may be traditional retail stores, galleries, museums, offices, bars, coffee shops, pop-up stores...you decide. Focus on spaces which present opportunity for flexibility. Present your findings in an organized, image-heavy, clearly-labeled [and cited] blog post.

| site visit |
Get your cameras and tape measures out! As our access to the site is limited, during this week's scheduled visit, you will need to capture as many photos as possible, as well as take detailed measurements of the space (as specified by Ashley). You are then to use this collective information to create AutoCAD and SketchUp files for the studio's use. These files are to be saved under the Revisioning Retail folder on the Drop Box.

| inventory investigation |
What products make up the Hatchery? This is an extremely important element of the design puzzle, as without this knowledge, it is impossible to sculpt a clear vision for the store. Investigate, explore, postulate. What departments on campus are likely to produce something that would be sold in the gallery? What form would these items take? Refer back to your precedent analysis: what items do other university-related shops house? Compile your ideas in an illustrated list on your blog. Consider a campus photo hunt as one way to define and illuminate this list.

All three pieces of this week's puzzle are due (in the aforementioned places) no later than 1 pm, Wednesday, October 14.

M [10.5] : ashley boycher presentation
W [10.7] : site visit : 318 South Elm
F [10.9] : work day
M [10.12] : fall break!
W [10.14] : TAKING STOCK assignment deadline

installation inspiration | LOUISE NEVELSON

2009-09-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

Tommy passed along the name of an artist whose work we should all have a look at as we move forward with our store displays: Louise Nevelson. Described as a Russian-born American Abstract Expressionist Sculptor, much of Nevelson's work revolves around the idea of grouping unlike objects and creating unity with color...sounds familiar doesn't it?

See many, many examples of Nevelson's work here.

WHAT'S RED AND WHITE AND MAKES A STATEMENT?

2009-09-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

Found these posters from The London Design Festival in keeping with our SA Select concept. Have a look here and get inspired.
via Race of Style

SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING T-SHIRT

2009-09-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

Which happens to fall during our class time :
Given our interest in t-shirts and, more broadly, the journey of clothing this semester, this might be a nice lecture to sit in on. Let me know if you want to take some time tomorrow to attend this talk.

week five | PRODUCT PLACEMENT

2009-09-21T06:05:00.000-07:00

photograph by [auro]

THE ART OF DISPLAY

Feeling inspired? Based on what you’ve learned this morning on your tour of Anthropologie and the new Salvation Army Select your job this weekend is pretty simple…

DREAM.

But not just any dream, a BIG dream for what you can bring to the Salvation Army Select. How do you make this store truly one of a kind? How do you make used goods feel special? How do you challenge the preconceived notions of thrift stores? How do you make a statement that encourages people to talk about the store with their friends?

For Monday write a Haiku, do yoga, dance the Electric Slide, compose a symphony, take a hike, shop ‘til you drop, bake a cake, see a movie, get a massage, ride a train, swim the English Channel, fly the friendly skies, roast marshmallows, take a nap…FIND INSPIRATION.

And then SHARE that inspiration with us via a beautiful [and thoughtful] presentation of sketches and photos on your blog.

M [9.21] : group discussion; guest presentation
W [9.23] : mid-week review
F [9.25] : guest review
M [10.5] : promotion wrap-up

week four | being SELECTive

2009-09-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

rendering by Debbie Nestvogel + Matt Jones

PRO:NOTIONS

As you enter the job market, you will often find that your versatility is your strongest asset as a designer. Particularly in small firms, you will wear many hats, some days as a interior designer, others as a branding strategist, and yet others as a pillow fluffer… This week you will put on your marketing hat, moving away from store fixtures to store promotion.

As we discussed on Friday, donations, sponsors, and customers, as well as community and university support, are key to the success of the new Salvation Army Select store. As a result, the time is right to draw on the skills you’ve developed both as a student and as a consumer to help this cause.

Over the course of the next three weeks, you will each generate, create and promote one idea for raising awareness about the new store. Your idea, which must have some physical component, may focus on drawing more donations, bringing more attention to the work of the Salvation Army, showcasing the partnership between UNCG and the Salvation Army, highlighting community partners, etc.

Salvation Army’s slogan is “doing the most good” – as you develop ideas I challenge you to ask yourself, is this plan “doing the most good” with the time and means available?

If you determine that the efforts of more than one person are needed for your idea to be a success, by all means, engage others. However, be aware that you will all be evaluated on the amount of time and energy that went into your idea AND its response.

M [9.14] : brainstorming…
W [9.16] : pitch your idea! group discussion with ivan cutler
F [9.18] : anthropologie, salvation army select
M [9.21] : group discussion
M [10.5] : promotion wrap-up

detailed delivery

2009-09-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

Check out these drawings by Greneker Solutions, a company that's mission is to provide retail clients with "exciting solutions, conceptual ideas and manufactured products." While it appears that Greneker is most known for it's production of mannequins, I enjoyed looking through it's portfolio of "thematic presentations." What was most impressive to me were the drawings used to illustrate some of their themed fixtures and interactive displays.

Look how clearly the designers' ideas come across. These are the quality of drawings we should all attempt to produce in order to explain the details behind our ideas this semester.

mark your calendars

2009-09-11T09:04:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, September 30 at 6 pm Bill Grant, President and Creative Director of Grant Design Collaborative, will speak about *branding* in a keynote address at the Triad Design Leadershop. The event is *free* and will take place in Harrison Auditorium on the campus of N.C. A&T State University.

Please join me for this learning opportunity.

blogging tips : themes

2009-09-11T06:06:00.000-07:00

I've noticed that many of you are tweaking the layout of your blog based on the feedback you've received. Cheers to this. Way to follow through! Remember this digital interface will serve as your first impression to many people.

With this in mind, I thought you'd be interested in this article on blog themes over at Blogging Tips.

time stops for no one

2009-09-10T12:40:00.000-07:00

Chances are, if you've done any searching, you've already found this link. But in case you haven't, here you go! May these examples inspire you to sssssssssssstttttttttttrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeecccccccchhhh the ways in which you calculate time.

I look forward to seeing your BOLD ideas tomorrow.

week three | HANDS ON

2009-09-09T00:50:00.000-07:00

photo by Helga Weber

Who forces time is pushed back by time; who yields to time finds time on his side. The Talmud

Time is literally of the essence in this short project.

Drawing inspiration from the story of your retail space, as revealed through your materials board, your challenge this week is to design three options for signature timepieces for the space that speak to the essential qualities of your conceptual framework.

You are to present your ideas through a series of high-quality rendered orthographic views. These drawings, complete with helpful annotations, are due on your blog.folio for presentation at the beginning of class Monday, September 14.

F : mini-review with a minimum of 5 sketches/models, guest presentation
M : project deadline + presentation

digital paint samples

2009-08-31T12:09:00.000-07:00

In class today I shared with you one of my favorite blogs: Making It Lovely. I really enjoy the way Nicole Balch, the author, approaches presenting material inspiration and hope you will take note of her techniques as you move forward with your projects this week. Many of you were curious about how Nicole created the paint splotches on her boards... Lucky for us, Nicole has shared her secret here.

developing a color palette

2009-08-31T12:05:00.000-07:00

Along the same lines, I think you might find this post from a past 5th year studio helpful.

PHOTO:SHOP

2009-08-31T12:01:00.000-07:00

I've found that a good place to begin a project like this one to compile images that speak to the qualities you are seeking. Check out these inspiration boards courtesy of Style Me Pretty as...well...inspiration! While these are geared around weddings, you can see how they begin to paint a picture of qualities that could easily be translated into an interior environment.

Don't forget to record these early stages of your design process on your blog. They are just as important as the final results.

week two | INSTAMATIC SCHEMATIC

2009-08-31T09:44:00.000-07:00

carpet tile design for Mannington by IARc alum Heather Miller, read more about the concept behind Heather's design here

Image and perception help drive value; without an image there is no perception. Scott M. Davis, Brand Asset Management

In your first assignment you investigated and developed a personal brand. This week you will test how a brand can be expressed in materials.

In an effort to update the shopping center’s image and redirect its appeal to a new market of consumers, the owner of Seasons Greetings Town Centre has hired your firm, Revisioning Retail Design Consulting, to evaluate the possibility of exchanging several of the shopping center’s less-successful chain stores for high-end specialty boutiques. Using given products and concepts as primary reference, your firm must complete a series of conceptual/feasibility studies for new mall stores.

The owner of Seasons Greetings wishes to present your initial ideas, in the form of exploratory material boards (24”x 36” mounted), at a meeting with the shopping center’s board of directors Friday, August 29 at 4 pm. As you will not be present to explain your ideas, it is imperative that your design suggestions speak for themselves with appropriate annotations. Well-executed, high quality graphic and formal techniques are expected in order to sell your design.

Following approval from the board of directors, you will begin a more thorough study of specific store components beginning Wednesday, September 3.

W : mid-week mockup review
F : project deadline

2009-08-31T05:56:00.000-07:00

Throughout the semester you will embark on a number of case study investigations. The purpose of these exercises is to heighten your observation of details in the retail environment, thereby increasing your body of knowledge for future projects. For each case study you must write a succinct 500-word analysis. The analysis should be complimented by a series of quality annotated/captioned sketches and photographs (if allowed by the store : be sure to ask permission!) that expand upon your written investigation. Each case study is to be presented on your blog with appropriate links and citations prior to the beginning of class on its due date.

Your first case study assignment, due Monday, August 31, is to review the material components of five retail stores. How do these materials express the store’s brand? What are key elements? Are the surfaces smooth? Textured? Rough? Reflective? How does the lighting work to highlight particular aspects? Do the materials change throughout the store or stay constant? Be careful in your selection of stores to choose ones with interesting qualities/features as these will be the most helpful to your design development. You can choose to study stores in a variety of locations (malls, downtowns, retail parks, etc.) as well as those found in books, magazines and online (eek...did I just say this?) as long as they meet this criteria. Make sure, however, that you visit at least 3 of the sites in life. Not finding what you're looking for here in Greensboro? Try a little road trip.

week one | BRAND IDENTITY

2009-08-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

photograph by Zombizi

It is never too late to be what you could have been. George Elliot

Much of this semester’s work will be spent developing and refining identity systems, or branding, as this is an important cornerstone of successful retail design. This week you will begin your branding focus with a subject you know best : yourself.

One of the most significant things you can do as a designer is understand who you are as a designer. After all, how can you convey the type of work you do to others, if you don’t first know this yourself? But this is much easier said than done, especially when who you are, your likes and dislikes, vary from day to day – and, certainly, evolve over time. Essentially, you must grab hold of what you’ve been in the past, what you are today, and who you hope to be and go for it!

This week’s project has two parts:

1. You will begin this challenge by first looking to others for inspiration. Each of you has been assigned a designer to research. Read over their bio from the text Women of Design, seek them out on the web, learn what they do. What is their style? How is this translated into their work, websites, etc.? Illustrate a page in your sketchbook with your notes and findings to share and discuss in class on Wednesday. Remember that someone may be seeking you out the same way? What do they find when they Google your name?!?

2. Once you’ve done a little research it is time to turn your attention to your own brand as revealed on your blog. How can you ‘renovate’ this site to better reflect you? For Wednesday, print out a screen capture of your blog in it’s current state, and visually brainstorm three ways you can update it’s look including new font treatments, colors, images, text (and most importantly, the tried and true principles and elements of design). We will review your ideas on Wednesday, working towards digital implementation for Friday.

W : Women of Design Discussion, Brand Idea Exchange
F : Newly Branded Blog Due for Critique
Next F : Professional Input Due

BUY ME. I'M WORTH IT.

2009-07-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

Visual Merchandising: Window and In-Store Displays for Retail
Tony Morgan (London: Laurence King Publishing, 1998)

COMMENT HERE.

2009-07-30T14:09:00.001-07:00

Please leave a comment to this post from your blog by 9 am August 28 so I can compile a list of web addresses. In your comment please let me know a topic you would like to learn more about this semester.