Thursday, 3 April 2008
Retail Design has evolved as specialised service generally from Interior Design and Graphic Design and depending on the services offered under the Retail banner will be a combination of these two disciplines or more. Some Retail Designers can offer Architectural support while others may have a stronger background in Branding and Identity, but generally all will be able to cover a wide scope of work to provide the Retail Client with a complete Retail Design solution. In addition, most designers offer Project Management or Supervision of their own work and should be experienced with the contractual procedures required to undertake the project through to completion.Although Retail Designers are not Retailers, they should have experience, understanding and knowledge of the fundamentals of Retailing. This can be of great benefit to the Client as it gives an outside view of the business that covers so much more than just the image. In selecting a retail design company the project brief will establish what kind of service you require from them, and it will be down to the Designers to demonstrate how well matched they are or not to the project when submitting their fee proposal. The fee proposal should not just tell you how much it is going to cost to employ them, but also their understanding of the project brief and the scope of work they recommend the project demands and how this is covered in their services.
You will know doubt be looking very closely at the Designers portfolio of work to find the connection with your own project brief, however, you are advised to look outside your field of retailing and experience in what the Designer has undertaken for others. If for instance you have a Shoe Shop you wish to be designed, don't just look for Designers that have done lots of Shoe Shops, you could be missing out. There could be a Designer that is just right for the project with lots of experience and talent in other areas of retail, but has not done a Shoe Shop - yet! When it comes down to it, a good Retail Designer can design to anything, it matters very little if it is cans of beans or frilly underwear the principles of good Retail Design sweep across the whole retail sector.
Once you have chosen and engaged your retail design team use them as part of your Retail Team!
