FAQ
I’ve been reading about a decline in retail brick and mortar sales with stores falling to the competition of Amazon and other internet sites. Does this mean that the demand for store designers will also decline?
Commodity brick and mortar stores will most likely continue to fall under the weight of price competition and commoditization (electronics, appliances, office supplies, etc.). Consumers may view products and get product information at the brick and mortar store (often having long discussions with knowledgeable salespeople). Then they may shop for the lowest price online. The brick and mortar store model may become unprofitable for stores selling commodities. However, since most of these chain stores create prototype designs for roll-out, the impact on store designers will be limited to those designers who are in the business of creating prototypes for stores which retail commodity products. Stores selling unique merchandise, stores establishing a unique retail experience, stores which offer both items for sale and an entertainment factor (which include restaurants, coffee shops and bars), and boutique stores of all types will continue to thrive and provide work for store designers.
Isn’t store design like any other building and/or interior design? What’s so different about it? The universal principles of good design must also apply to store design.
The universal principles of good design do apply. But it is also necessary to understand the specific program requirements of retail. Designs based on retail program elements, both physical and psychological, like store image, product qualities, pricing, customer access to product, and the using the storefront as a filter and lens, require specialized knowledge. The success of a retail store may hinge on the strength of its design. Like medical, theater, and library design, retail design is a specialized area of expertise which must be learned in addition to acquiring a general understanding of the building design process.
Is it necessary to have a degree in architecture or interior design to become a store designer?
It is not. However, a store designer must acquire enough knowledge about building and design to create store designs which can be constructed from both the physical and legal standpoints. The store designer’s plans and ideas can be translated by a registered architect to create a set of contract documents for permitting and construction. In this case, the store designer is a consultant to the store owner working as a team with an architect.
Are the store design book and video course useful for retail store owners?
Knowledge is power. Hiring and working with a store designer on a retail project is a cooperative effort. The best designs involve retailers who are passionate about their business, but those retailers must also understand the store design process. They are also responsible for the program requirements both physical and psychological. They will guide the designer in the creation of the store like a captain directing the crew to reach the ship’s destination. The store-owner captain is not a just a passenger on this voyage to retail success, he sets the course.
What is the difference between store design and visual merchandising design?
Store designers are responsible for all aspects a stores design. Using theater as a metaphor, they create the entire theater, including the marque entrance, the lobby, the seating, the stage, the sound and lighting systems, and the back-stage areas. Depending on the concept, they may also create scenes like the set designers for a theater production. However, visual merchandisers (possibly the store owner) may also set the scenes through the use of props, and the control of lighting, sound, smell and colors. And they are responsible for the final installation of product displayed.
I think the photos in your book are not up to the quality of the images found in most coffee table books on architectural or interior design. Doesn’t this undermine the effectiveness of the Store Design learning experience?
Store Design is not a copy book of details and designs. It is a source of axiomatic principles intended to guide the design of retail stores. The photos in the book help explain the content. Other print and web sources can provide images of current fashions in store design, but the best way to study the store designs of others is to visit stores directly.
Commodity brick and mortar stores will most likely continue to fall under the weight of price competition and commoditization (electronics, appliances, office supplies, etc.). Consumers may view products and get product information at the brick and mortar store (often having long discussions with knowledgeable salespeople). Then they may shop for the lowest price online. The brick and mortar store model may become unprofitable for stores selling commodities. However, since most of these chain stores create prototype designs for roll-out, the impact on store designers will be limited to those designers who are in the business of creating prototypes for stores which retail commodity products. Stores selling unique merchandise, stores establishing a unique retail experience, stores which offer both items for sale and an entertainment factor (which include restaurants, coffee shops and bars), and boutique stores of all types will continue to thrive and provide work for store designers.
Isn’t store design like any other building and/or interior design? What’s so different about it? The universal principles of good design must also apply to store design.
The universal principles of good design do apply. But it is also necessary to understand the specific program requirements of retail. Designs based on retail program elements, both physical and psychological, like store image, product qualities, pricing, customer access to product, and the using the storefront as a filter and lens, require specialized knowledge. The success of a retail store may hinge on the strength of its design. Like medical, theater, and library design, retail design is a specialized area of expertise which must be learned in addition to acquiring a general understanding of the building design process.
Is it necessary to have a degree in architecture or interior design to become a store designer?
It is not. However, a store designer must acquire enough knowledge about building and design to create store designs which can be constructed from both the physical and legal standpoints. The store designer’s plans and ideas can be translated by a registered architect to create a set of contract documents for permitting and construction. In this case, the store designer is a consultant to the store owner working as a team with an architect.
Are the store design book and video course useful for retail store owners?
Knowledge is power. Hiring and working with a store designer on a retail project is a cooperative effort. The best designs involve retailers who are passionate about their business, but those retailers must also understand the store design process. They are also responsible for the program requirements both physical and psychological. They will guide the designer in the creation of the store like a captain directing the crew to reach the ship’s destination. The store-owner captain is not a just a passenger on this voyage to retail success, he sets the course.
What is the difference between store design and visual merchandising design?
Store designers are responsible for all aspects a stores design. Using theater as a metaphor, they create the entire theater, including the marque entrance, the lobby, the seating, the stage, the sound and lighting systems, and the back-stage areas. Depending on the concept, they may also create scenes like the set designers for a theater production. However, visual merchandisers (possibly the store owner) may also set the scenes through the use of props, and the control of lighting, sound, smell and colors. And they are responsible for the final installation of product displayed.
I think the photos in your book are not up to the quality of the images found in most coffee table books on architectural or interior design. Doesn’t this undermine the effectiveness of the Store Design learning experience?
Store Design is not a copy book of details and designs. It is a source of axiomatic principles intended to guide the design of retail stores. The photos in the book help explain the content. Other print and web sources can provide images of current fashions in store design, but the best way to study the store designs of others is to visit stores directly.