Denise's Studio: September 2009

saSELECT large display | design specs

we decided as a class that the "collage" design would be the suitable overall design for the new sa SELECT store. for the large display windows, it was decided that 1 mannequin would be in each window--one lady, one man--and they would be visually connected by the notion that each is preparing/dressing for a holiday party. to tell the story, each window will include a dresser/vanity with a mirror (cutout of backdrop). all surfaces will be painted white, and the garments will be made of MANY red shields that will spread over the display surfaces.

so that we can get an idea of scale and general idea of the design, we were each tasked with producing a scaled sketch, image, or model (physical or digital) for next studio. as i put the image together, i began to have reservations. is this a red mermaid outfit gone awry??

question: what is the significance/function for covering various surfaces with the red shields? what are we trying to say?

week 5 | give

the studio was divided into 3 groups--REUSE | GIVE | ???--to capture the essence and purpose of the store within the displays for the large windows, end caps, and smaller displays for the cash wrap and shelves.

this is a small display idea for the SELECT store. bags--for gifts and donation--are made of donated white pillow cases and red shoe strings. the logo was stenciled with red spray paint.

signage/information

display

oh, joy...

hmmm...window displays

we've been challenged to dream up three window displays for the SELECT store.

one rule--keep it very, very simple. one point, one idea for each display. as Alannah Weston stated " Not having too many ideas, having great compostion and really being able to tell a story are so important when designing a window display." as well, it's time for the Christmas displays, so a Christmas element was included. oh....and of course, the red shoes, too!

the first idea was inspired by some of my inspiration images. crisp billowy whites (these could be fashioned from donated sheets, bedspread, etc.), sparkle of light (the Christmas element), a "refound" chair (painted white), and a contrasting merchandise example on a white mannequin. and oh, the red shoes.

this 2nd display idea--a super-sized oh-so-familiar salvation army Christmas donation bucket filled with clothes and accessories. now, where to put the red shoes???.......hmmm, i'll put 'em on top. that should be an eye-catcher.

through the process of the other two ideas, this idea just came to me. an attention-getter, perhaps--the SELECT shields as clothing. and they have shoes--RED ones!

sa SELECT marketing | inspiration

my excursion to find inspiration this weekend included a visit to AREA--a modern furnishings boutique in downtown Greensboro--and searches for "before & after". following is an amalgamation of things/images that i thought somehow could be incorporated into the "furnishings" piece of marketing for salvation army select.

the idea of a large "jack" came to mind after reflecting on the large ostrich in Anthropologie. it doesn't necessarily have to be a "jack", but an inspired idea--large scale--certainly creates the "unimagined experience". as well, i captured inspiration for displays and lighting, re-making of used furnishings (before & after), and using unexpected items for furnishings.

sa select marketing | a plan

after each studio member pitched their idea for marketing for merchandise for the new "salvation army SELECT" store, different categories of marketing formed--T-shirts, print/graphic marketing/"slogos", guerrilla marketing, and furnishings. of course, my idea fell under the furnishings category, and we divided into groups to work on plans of action for executing these ideas--the answers to who, what, why, how, when, and where.

as a group, we decided to tackle both furnishing ideas--raffle items and in-store fixtures for sale.

general plan

type of furniture - simple seating, desks, tables, lamps, accessory props (jewelry cases/holders, tie racks, etc); no heavily upholstered pieces

each team member works on a 'piece' individually at home or studio unless other plans/arrangements are made

refurbishing supplies - paint, fabric, wallpaper; find sources for discounted supplies/ mismixed paint/freebies

funding for supplies - speek with Ivan

pass from Ivan/management to pick up furnishings free of charge at area salvation army locations

hang tags - contact print marketing group

in-store furnishings for sale

identify what types of furnishings for store - meet with Stoel's studio

raffle items

advertisement via web page/facebook/blog - notify website group
window display in vacant adjacent spaces - contact Ivan for approval
2 posters for advertising raffle--one in-store and one in vacant window
raffles - to take place monthly for however many pieces are refurbished; a raffle ticket will be given for donations of a substantial size (tbd)

that's all for now. more to come...

salvation army select | marketing brainstorm

my marketing idea for "salvation army select" would be to gather great "used" furniture finds and refurbish them for a raffle in exchange for donations for the new store, OR pieces that the store could actually sell when they open. Hmmmm...

i visited the salvation army "family store" on Lee st. i found these pretty interesting (and very used!) side chairs that could be wonderfully refurbished with a little ingenuity. a little bit of paint, some fabric, or perhaps rope, straps, or strips of something.....?? these could be a really fun addition to anyone's decor!

the paint is worn and the seat cushion is vinyl, but this one has great potential!

this wicker jewel needs some extra tlc, but a great find nonetheless.

some leftover paint and fabric from previous projects...

timepieces

time for SHĪR
as a product design exercise for our retail space, i have designed 3 different timepieces for shīr. they each were inspired by some aspect of my original concept--crop circles--either by form, process, or both. each has rendered, annotated orthographic views along with a perspective, if necessary.

which one do you like the most??

shĪr | designer coats & accessories

materials spawned from a crop circle

what a fun project! this was definitely an exercise in "concept". i learned that the final product/solution is not and should not be your first instinct. who knew that coats, scarves, and ties could be related to crop circles. but, here it is--a posh retail space inspired solely from crop circles.

of course, i'm all for keeping it simple and clean (and straight), so the whole 'circle' idea kinda threw me at first. my remedy was to 'go big' with the circular forms such that they would be a little more manageable as well as create an interesting retail space along the way. the materials, textures, and colors are inspired from nature--specifically the wheat fields of southern England where most crop circles are made. i took the idea a step further and decided on a British name and British fashion designers for the merchandise. nearly all finishes and furniture in the space is custom, excluding the sisal carpet.