Throughout this week I have…
-researched images that have similar aspects of what I would like to see in my boutique
-began branding
-came to a final decision as to what merchandise I am selling
-began sketching out my space
Since I am in the Buffalo Bridge group, I chose the middle glass block to be the dog boutique. I contemplated whether to use both floors of this store or the 1st floor only. I came to a decision to use both and to make one level be the bakery and the other to be the retail part of the store. Using a staircase, I will connect the two levels together. I thought of having the retail space on the top floor and having a curved staircase on one of the sidewalls to bring the customers to the bakery on the basement floor. By doing this, the 1st floor will have some sort of balcony where you can look downstairs and smell delicious treats. Branding and the name of my store has been stressing me out this week, only because I want it to be original as well as represent the bakery and the retail store together as one. There are so many different names of dog boutiques on the internet, so making it a one of a kind name is difficult. Also keeping the store unisex and not so girly is becoming a struggle for me. After doing the inspiration charrette, I found many images that expressed my thoughts for lighting, texture, customers, bakeries ideas, and store designs. That was a great beginning to my development process of my dog boutique.
Tying my work thus far to Revolution Mills has yet to be considered to be honest. Thinking about the history of the mills, relating dog merchandise and food, apposing ideas is difficult and with more development in my design, I will somehow relate it to the Revolution Mills eventually. Relating my store to Greensboro relates more to the high class that are willing to drive across town to buy items for their furry four legged animal as well as customized jeans and specialty chocolate.
From a customers point of view, they would preferably walk in on the first floor to the retail part of my store, selling apparel, food and water bowls, collars and leashes, beds, etc. Then walking down the staircase to the bakery floor that contains a “treat” bar, individual packaged items and a cooler filled with specialty items. The main focus I want to keep throughout my store is keeping a different experience for both dogs and owners.
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2 comments:
I love the idea of separating the bakery from the rest of the store, especially with the bakery downstairs...the smell would intrigue the customer, and their pup, to go downstairs and take a look. Im very interested to see what kind of things youll do to enhance the dog's experience. I think it would be so neat to see a store catered more towards the dogs than their owners. How do you do this effectively? I have no idea..maybe think about what it is that dogs love, not what their owners love for them. (does that makes since?)
here are some links i found about dog psychology: http://www.physorg.com/news5011.html
http://www.seefido.com/html/canine_dog_psychology.htm
http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/08/human-dog-psychology-5-weird-studies.php
just to get your mind working!
Lauren, I feel that you have really been able to expand on your ideas in a very constructive manner thus far a hope that you are able to maintain this level of excitement and passion for your retail project. After speaking with you on Friday I feel that you are defiantly heading in the right direction, like Kim mentioned to making this space more about the dogs than there owners or at least seeing this as way for the owners to be dogs best friend. I think that it is a good thing that you have decided to not necessarily cater to strictly lap dogs owned by women but rather any dog owner. I can’t help but think that this decision will open many more design opportunities for your project. Try to keep an open mind about this whole thing and keep up your enthusiasm about this project hopefully it will be contagious.
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