Doing a little ditty on the fashion blog circuit [all new territory for the blog maven] and found this. Note where her skirt came from.
This reminds me of the Satorialist. Perhaps another source of inspiration for the store's visual merchandiser.
Friday, May 29, 2009
it's already being done
Doing a little ditty on the fashion blog circuit [all new territory for the blog maven] and found this. Note where her skirt came from.
This reminds me of the Satorialist. Perhaps another source of inspiration for the store's visual merchandiser.
glossy, smelly, informative goodness
I never thought I'd buy a fashion magazine in the name of research.
But last night that's just what I did...and here's why.
The last eleven days have included countless discussions about the positioning of this new type retail store. What will it feel like? What merchandise will it carry? Who will it appeal to? In the beginning we talked about a store that carried only designer labels, a true boutique. But the more we think about it we're not certain that this is possible or even desirable. Over breakfast yesterday morning, Debbie said that it was more important that the store simply be selective --- in other words, provide high quality and fashionable clothes that respond to the current trends. This led me to think about fashion magazines [enter Lucky] and how they often show one 'designer' outfit with a large price tag and a comparable 'not-so-designer' outfit at a much lower cost.
Visit here for examples of how Lucky reveals you can get Michelle O's outfit for less.
Perhaps this is what our store can be...the niche we can fall under... With this all said, one thought to come out yesterday was a new name for the store : Salvation Army Select with the tag line 'great looks for less'.
That's all for now. I'm off to read more about what's cool in fashion. More details to come...
But last night that's just what I did...and here's why.
The last eleven days have included countless discussions about the positioning of this new type retail store. What will it feel like? What merchandise will it carry? Who will it appeal to? In the beginning we talked about a store that carried only designer labels, a true boutique. But the more we think about it we're not certain that this is possible or even desirable. Over breakfast yesterday morning, Debbie said that it was more important that the store simply be selective --- in other words, provide high quality and fashionable clothes that respond to the current trends. This led me to think about fashion magazines [enter Lucky] and how they often show one 'designer' outfit with a large price tag and a comparable 'not-so-designer' outfit at a much lower cost.
Visit here for examples of how Lucky reveals you can get Michelle O's outfit for less.Perhaps this is what our store can be...the niche we can fall under... With this all said, one thought to come out yesterday was a new name for the store : Salvation Army Select with the tag line 'great looks for less'.
That's all for now. I'm off to read more about what's cool in fashion. More details to come...
Thursday, May 28, 2009
"There is a storm out there"
As another meeting with our growing list of consultants makes it to the blog, this tittle seems fitting. I moved down to the third floor of Gatewood so I could enjoy watching the rain but it has gotten to the point where I can no longer see the skyline of downtown.
On Tuesday Debbie, Suzanne and myself meet with John and Jerry about our current project. They agreed to meet, but at there office, Cheesecakes by Alex. Not bad guys. We wanted to have a conversation about the reality of this project and the steps we should be taking in order to make it happen. John and Jerry both have been active professionals in this community for years as well as adjunct faculty at the Department of Interior Architecture here at UNCG. We felt that the wealth of knowledge that these two bring to the table could shed light on things we hadn't even thought of. We couldn't have been any more correct!
After explaining the project and where we were thus far they began to ask several introspective questions about what our goals and ambitions were for this project and beyond. After several minutes of this it was there turn to talk, and boy did they lay it on us. All three of us frantically attempted to take notes on all that was said. Several quotes and viewpoints were made known. One of the most notable in my eye would be the idea that this is a giant storm and how it is so important for us as designers to find the center. In the calm, where we are able to orchestrate the events that must take place in order for the project to be a success. Without the eye there could be no storm and without the storm there is no calm within. Also the importance of creating an articulate and direct list of design criteria that will act as a filter when making decisions.
Our meeting went better than we all could have hoped. Somewhat overwhelming, but everyone needs a kick in the pants from time to time. On that note I want to leave with one last bit of advise given to us.
This has never happened before, so no one knows the answers yet.
To know the right answers, you have to ask the right questions.
Funny, now that the rain has quit I guess it's time to get back to work!
On Tuesday Debbie, Suzanne and myself meet with John and Jerry about our current project. They agreed to meet, but at there office, Cheesecakes by Alex. Not bad guys. We wanted to have a conversation about the reality of this project and the steps we should be taking in order to make it happen. John and Jerry both have been active professionals in this community for years as well as adjunct faculty at the Department of Interior Architecture here at UNCG. We felt that the wealth of knowledge that these two bring to the table could shed light on things we hadn't even thought of. We couldn't have been any more correct!
After explaining the project and where we were thus far they began to ask several introspective questions about what our goals and ambitions were for this project and beyond. After several minutes of this it was there turn to talk, and boy did they lay it on us. All three of us frantically attempted to take notes on all that was said. Several quotes and viewpoints were made known. One of the most notable in my eye would be the idea that this is a giant storm and how it is so important for us as designers to find the center. In the calm, where we are able to orchestrate the events that must take place in order for the project to be a success. Without the eye there could be no storm and without the storm there is no calm within. Also the importance of creating an articulate and direct list of design criteria that will act as a filter when making decisions.
Our meeting went better than we all could have hoped. Somewhat overwhelming, but everyone needs a kick in the pants from time to time. On that note I want to leave with one last bit of advise given to us.
This has never happened before, so no one knows the answers yet.
To know the right answers, you have to ask the right questions.
Funny, now that the rain has quit I guess it's time to get back to work!
W.W.K.D. (What Would Kenneth Do)
As part of our research for this project Debbie and I have been visiting with several people for interviews to gain a better understanding of what this new store location is capable of. Last Friday we meet with Kenneth Brown, the manager of the current Salvation Army Family Store on Lee St. We focused our discussion around how he could see items that are donated at the new location making there way to the Lee St. store and the other way around. His suggestions were very insightful and helpful. He began by explaining the process of receiving a donation and processing it for sale on the floor. He then gave us a tour of the areas where these tasks were taking place. It was nice to see this first hand to better understand the tools and space needed. Debbie and I both were astonished at how much space was necessary for these tasks to take place along with storage. We both realized quickly that flexible storage space will play a KEY role in the success of this new location.
Kenneth then began to explain what he felt could make the new location successful.
- He said that around Five employees should be an acceptable number to help the store run as smooth as possible.
- 1 Manager
- 1 Cashier
- 1 Donation Attendant
- 2 Sales Associates (to help where needed)
- He also emphasized the importance of careful sorting and loading of the goods.
- There was also a discussion about fixtures for both the front and back of the store.
- He explained how at the Lee St. location they have had to use what was available to them.
- Also the importance of mobility and flexibility
Our meeting with Kenneth was very helpful for us to better understand the inner workings of the Family Store on Lee St. Kenneth noted that things will be different at the new location but was more than welcome to help where he could. He also agreed to be on the lookout for any kind of fixtures that may come in that could make it into the new location.
For those about to rock, we salute you!
Rock the Shield Kenneth!
Kenneth then began to explain what he felt could make the new location successful.
- He said that around Five employees should be an acceptable number to help the store run as smooth as possible.
- 1 Manager
- 1 Cashier
- 1 Donation Attendant
- 2 Sales Associates (to help where needed)
- He also emphasized the importance of careful sorting and loading of the goods.
- There was also a discussion about fixtures for both the front and back of the store.
- He explained how at the Lee St. location they have had to use what was available to them.
- Also the importance of mobility and flexibility
Our meeting with Kenneth was very helpful for us to better understand the inner workings of the Family Store on Lee St. Kenneth noted that things will be different at the new location but was more than welcome to help where he could. He also agreed to be on the lookout for any kind of fixtures that may come in that could make it into the new location.
For those about to rock, we salute you!
Rock the Shield Kenneth!
the first impression is the LAST impression
due to the successful outcome of the first design charrette, another opportunity arose to strengthen IARc’s relationship with the salvation army. the salvation army approached the department yet again in may of 2009 to present another collaborative design challenge that would have the ability to jump from paper to reality for a fifth-year thesis project. the challenge presented is to figure out a way to design a new breed: a fashionable and attractive ‘thrift’ store with a captivating appearance, sensible function and a cost-effective operation that distinguishes the salvation army and contributes to its mission of service. this new breed of ‘boutique’ thrift stores will be located in northern greensboro to target a broader audience then its current store off of lee street.
site visit::
interior: donation center
interior: retail floor
interior: retail floor
site visit::
front facade
interior: donation center
interior: retail floor
interior: retail floorred rover, red rover, send IVAN right over
uncg: interior architecture department's relationship with the salvation army started during the fall semester of 2008- when marketing director- ivan cutler- came to tommy [our department head] and asked if some students would be interested in brainstorming ideas for an update to the interiors of their lee street family store. the uncg campus center of IIDA decided to take on this project as a community service opportunity for the student's in the department. the organization, along with key faculty members [suzanne cabrera], organized an all night design charrette to solve the design problems presented to us by salvation army.
the design charrette took place on october 24th from 7pm-7am within the home of the i.arc department- the gatewood studio arts building- on uncg's campus. 
a total of around 50 people- made up of students from the interior architecture department and CARS [consumer, apparel, and retail studies] along with alumni and faculty- arrived for the kick off presentation at 7pm.
everyone was divided into groups to focus on a specific design quality of the space to efficiently accomplish a holistic design proposal by the end of the 'morning.' the groups concentrated on the following: the facade, interior, site plan, lighting, circulation, branding and environmental graphics.
to keep spirits high and energies alive- we had one an hour breaks to refuel and energize the mind and body. at the 3am mark- we still had around 30 people truckin' along thanks to a donation from steak n' shake for a '3am' snack. 
rendered perspectives, floor plans/diagrams, elevations, and details were composed to fully represent the ideas gathered throughout the night's activities.
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