Summary:Interconnected!
The Retail project is one important project which I will never forget. Why? Cause it taught me more lessons and also encouraged me to do more. Down the line i will explain as in to why!
As usual when a brief is being handed over we are a bit confused about the deliverable s but excited about the project. But when the topic clearly screamed “retail project” we just looked at each other. Okay so we have to design our own retail space! And then the brands were given as Desigual, Calvin Klein, Prada, Camper, G star raw.
I chose Calvin Klein due to the sleek and style the brand contains. The slogan clearly spelled out the needs of customers. “Between love and madness lies obsession”. It definitely told me something more about the client. The customers go for the brand due to the good name that the brand has created during the past years.
So I selected my brand the next was the concept. I had to literally brainstorm myself to get into the core of it. While I was doing my research I came with the process of how jeans are being woven. It was a pretty fascinating sight. And so a Eureka moment happened! “Interconnected” my concept was born.
“Interconnected” has a deep meaning to it. This represents the woven pattern of yarn to create jeans. And that’s not it “Interconnected” is not the woven pattern of yarn it is also together with chemical formula of the indigo dye which brought this concept to life. The chemical formula of Indigo dye was C16H10N2O2. The fact about this which fascinated me was the chemical structure. It contained Hexagons and Pentagons. Out of that I created my own design.
I incorporated that design on the walls as a pattern to bring out the concept. And also the woven pattern of jeans on to the display backdrop. Leaving unique features of Calvin Klein as it is and trying to add more value to it, such as the mannequins were placed in glass boxes. And also the materials that were used .It were intentionally done to bring out their brand name to its maximum. Which are elegant and luxury, yet simple because what I believe is “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”.
And I wanted to bring out the “Interconnected” concept always. So I used it as a mesh of the fit on rooms. It’s a pretty thick mesh though. Nothing to worry about being seen from the other side. And also inside the fit on rooms there will be stool in case the customer needs to sit and fit on, and also there will be clothe hangers directly pined on to the wall. The clothes will be displayed hanged on steel bars which bring out luxury look of the brand.
Calvin Klein is a brand that sells a vast range of products. So as I mentioned before the clothes will be hung on steel racks, and their other products such as wrist watches, hand bags will be displayed in fully glass boxes in the center of the space, it will not hinder circulation. And products such as shoes will be displayed on the racks that are hung on the wall, which will also be made out of glass. You must be wondering why I am using glass everywhere. As an individual designer I think that glass brings out luxury as it a transparent material. It has got absolutely nothing to hide.
As I decided to use two floors, I used the ground floor for the women’s section and the first floor for the men’s section. Both floors looked alike just a small difference was made in the men’s section as it had more space.so I decided to add more mannequin’s in a way that would not hinder circulation nor the steel racks.
The materials I used for this project had to spell out “Calvin Klein”. Hence to bring out that feature of the brand I had to use materials as such. Let’s start from the floor; for the flooring I used white marble, and for the circulation path I used blue carpet so that the customers will not go off the carpet as there will mannequins placed in glass boxes. And also clear glass for the window display. And denim, material for the back drops of the display which will bring out the woven pattern of yarn. I used timber for the ceiling to bring out the home feel and not the industrial feel. The walls will be covered in while tiles and the “Interconnected” pattern incorporated on to it. The mannequins will be out of hard plastic. There will be couches placed which will done out of black leather. And also the mesh will be done using denim material.
As I was working on this project it taught me a lot of things. The lessons which I will never forget and the mistakes which I will never repeat. It taught me what it takes to be a professional Interior Designer. Failing once In life is normal but you shouldn’t let go! Get up dust yourself and move forward with your next project. And always to keep in mind that don’t let one project describe who you are, so make the best out of the upcoming projects. This Retail Project also taught me another important lesson. It’s okay to fall if not we won’t lessons in life but not to repeat them is even more greater. And also this project taught me to work as an individual. To do the task allocated to me on my own. This project took me places; places where I have never been. Thanks to material hunting I learnt a lot of things about materials and from where should I buy if needed again. As I’m growing stronger day by day I should give credit to this Retail Project for making me stronger. At one point this project was a nightmare but now as I look back I realize that it taught me to how to reach the deadlines on time, how to make it for reviews and most of all how to enjoy life even though your loaded with work!