[Insert Store Name Here]

At [insert store name here], the products are the stars, and so are those that love them! Greeted by a red carpet, there is a row of cameras waiting for your attention. Try a few out to see which meets your needs, and compare the qualities of each picture on the wall of fame. Once you've met the camera of your dreams, head on over to accessories. Read articles about the latest gear and feel free to let your camera try them on for size. Which case has been seen all over that debuting SLR? Which tripod has been seen holding up more than 15 pounds? Come find out for yourself! [insert store name] is the place for all photographers, old and new, and there's something here for everyone. Stand in the spotlight, these paparazzi wont follow you outside of the store, they just want to know which camera you'll choose! the staff are your fans, and they're dying to know...

(I know..this is extremely cheesy. But in my head its really neat..if you get past the silliness. Im imagining a red carpet entrance with cameras set up as if they were paparazzi scattered throughout the store. There would also be a photo area, like where all the actors pose for their red carpet pictures, that would display products uniquely, that could be changed throughout the seasons. When a customer wants to compare cameras, all they must do is take a photo with each of the cameras they want to compare, and the photos instantly appear on the "wall of fame" so the customer can judge the quality of each photo and decide which camera they want. If a customer is coming in for accessories, they will be directed to another part of the store where the products will be displayed along with a fake magazine article that describes their qualities. All in all, I think this would be a fun place. I plan on making the articles funny and creating a very light atmosphere. I feel that Greensboro needs a camera store with some sort of flash, and we dont have that here at all. Questions and comments are welcome from anyone, not just those of you that have to.)

Oh, I really need help with a name..anyone have suggestions? :)

Going Digital

After today's talk about our inspirational images and our ideas, I was still torn between film vs. digital cameras. I was starting to form fixtures and displays based on the darkroom, but I was missing the process part of film cameras. I want this space to be a place where customers can try out the featured cameras and decide which one they wanted based on their quality...but the problem with that is theres no way to display the end result, unless I incorporate a processing station..which I dont want to do. 

Jimmy mentioned carrying toy cameras like Holga, but there's still an issue there with showing the end result. I spoke to Sean afterwards and learned that most professional photographers use digital cameras nowadays--which is news to me..I always thought about film being a more professional photographic technique, but I guess I was wrong. 

Although the darkroom fixture ideas I had were unique and interesting, I was still unsure about how they would work, so I think its ok to step away from them. Maybe I'll use them in a future project... 

So now Im focusing on strictly digital SLR cameras. I think I need to find more inspirational photos to help me figure out the feel of this retail space...will post those once I find them. 

Capturing Inspiration

These are just a handful of inspirational photos I found for today's charrette.

Im using this image as color inspiration 

Experienced Life 

The capture of nature/life on film is a big part of photography

New Life

This image is actually of my little brother. I chose this image, and ones like it, to emphasize the capturing of human life and memories. I look at this image almost every day as inspiration for my own life. This is the perfect opportunity to use it towards my career. 

 

Both of the photographs above are being used for color inspiration, as well as shape. 

I want my store to be a place where photographers love to go to. The type of people I want to attract are those that love photography, and the process of making it all happen.

This picture is not only adorable...its inspirational too!

Case Study #3- Precedents and the Like

Ritz Camera

Ritz Camera is the biggest camera supply store that I know of in Greensboro. They carry both film and digital cameras, along with loads of accessories. They also have a Print Bar where photos are developed and sell frames and photo albums. The store is very organized, but seems cluttered. My biggest qualm with Ritz is that it’s a camera store in which the cameras are behind locked, glass containers! In order to see a camera, you have to wait on a sales associate to fetch the camera you’re interested in, instead of seeing a variety of cameras all at once to compare. Im also pretty certain that the cameras on display are not charged, therefore the customer cannot try the camera out. Instead, they have to decide whether or not they like the camera based on its appearance and whatever features the sales associate decides to tell them about it. I also feel that Ritz has too many accessories, and not enough cameras on display. In my store, I would want the opposite…many camera options, and select accessories.

Ghanna Photo Plus

I chose to focus on this photo accessory store mainly because of its interior choices. I disagree with the wall shelves being cluttered with accessories, and I feel like there was a better way to display items than this. I also think that the color choices were…everything BUT right. If there is one thing about this store that bothers me more than anything else, it’s the hideous flooring they chose…in a retro 50’s diner, ok…but in a camera store? *shudder* (photo: P/INN)

Radio Shack

Although Radio Shack does not specialize in camera sales, I felt it was necessary to include them in this analysis. Most electronics stores display their cameras in the same way that Radio Shack does (seen above). I believe that this is a somewhat effective way to sell cameras, however not effective enough. The way that the display is set up makes it difficult for the customer to demo a product because the cord that it is attached to is not long enough to allow the camera to be moved freely. Also, once again, the cameras never seem to be charged enough to try out all the features, therefore the customer has to rely on what the salesman tells them. I, for one, feel that when you’re buying a product that is as high-dollar as a camera, you should be able to see what it can do.

Brookstone

I chose this store, not because of its products, but rather because of the way they are displayed. I love the idea of trying something before you buy it, especially when it’s a high-dollar item. The way that Brookstone has their store set up, you can try just about anything they sell. This way you don’t have to take Salesguy’s word for it’s quality, then end up hating it. I want to make this kind of atmosphere in my camera store. I want the cameras to be displayed in a way that they are fully functional to the customer. I would like to create a space that makes people want to come in and try out a camera, even if they cant afford one or had never previously thought of buying one. Brookstone does this…just with massage chairs and mattresses.

Hollister

*cringe* I am not a fan of Hollister. BUT…I decided it would be neat to showcase the cameras in a way that makes them stand out. I like the idea of small spotlights surrounding the camera display to draw your attention to them. Hollister does this with lip gloss and cologne, I can do it with cameras.

Elie Tahari

Photo booths? Alright, I know these are changing rooms, but they reminded me of photo booths. Im toying with this idea of individual stations for each camera on display, and this sparked my attention. I also like the idea of mirrors...but I don’t want the store to resemble a fun house. The pop of color against a neutral background stands out, like my store will amongst the others, hopefully. I also hope to integrate bright color into a mostly dark space, but Ill explain that more in the next section…(photo: RGLA)

Regent Street

A store that sells shoes in a very bold way. I love the idea of using a mainly black store with a floor (or ceiling) of red. I got the idea of creating a darkroom effect, but I couldn’t think of how to pull it off. As I was flipping through a book, I ran across this. I think this much red is way too much, but it gets my idea across. Im actually envisioning the fiber optic panel that was designed into BioMech being changed to red above my store, having black walls, and mostly black fixtures, with pops of white and red accent lights. My worry now is that it will be too dark…but Ill work on that part. (photo: Visual Merchandising by Tony Morgan. pg. 39)

Trade Secret
I also thought about using a dark wood instead of black. I like the way that Trade Secret using the dark wood and contrasts it with light wood fixtures and a stark-white floor and ceiling. I also think the spotlights overhead are very effective in keeping the store from seeming heavy and dark.

...I still like the darkroom idea

Capturing the Life of BioMech

As we split up individually, I chose to stick with BioMech. Despite the long hours and work that Ive spent on this building already, I feel like I can connect to BioMech, and not The Shops at Buffalo Creek. Thinking about the Mill and the way we designed it, there are 3 points that I feel should be integrated into any store that is placed in it. 

-Machanics

-Life

-Fabric (or at least the idea of weaving)

I decided that the best product to reflect BioMech is the camera and its film. The film reels mimic the gear system that is the central focus of the building. I imagine a display window in which the reels act as gears, with the film itself running through them like the fabric that runs through the gear system. While BioMech is Mechanics moving life, my camera store will be capturing life through mechanics. 

but how do I display the right thing?

what products will I sell?

-manual?

-digital?

-both?

-film...definitely

-photographs?

       -Jami told me about someone she knows that takes pictures, then paints them. Neat idea...

There are several different aspects that I still need to narrow down, but seeing as this is the first day, I feel like Im going in the right direction. Feedback? Anyone? 

(unable to add photos due to Blogger error...will edit later)

Dragon vs. Rabbit

While reading fellow classmates' blogs, I was redirected to my blog where I noticed something a little out of whack. Blogger needs to fix whatever program assigns their Zodiac years. I am listed as Rabbit, which is not so. Born in 1988, I am in the year of the Dragon. I checked my displayed birth date, to see if maybe I slipped up and put 1987 instead. But alas...Blogger is just wrong. I am Dragon, hear me roar..not squeak like a little bunny. (picture courtesy of =mree)

"Where all think alike, no one thinks very much." - Walter Lippmann

Conflict seems to engulf my new and old group members. I feel like no one agrees on anything, except that we need a major group pow-wow. Certain people feel disconnected from the whole, and I can see it clearly. We need an Al Pachino moment, it seems. I cant say that I dont agree with either side. Yes, we need to let the others understand and learn the space before we move on. But, on the other hand, we dont need to dwell on all the details in order to move forward for friday. The issue im personally having is that I dont know what I should be doing. I was put in the physical modeling group, which is great for me, but there's nothing to model..or rather, someone else has been charged with the task, which doesnt make much sense to me. I want to be a strong part of this group, but I need to know which direction to go so I can get something done. Im going to be out of town this weekend, and I have to work a lot, and theres nothing I can do about that..its set in stone. I dont want this project to end without having contributed my best, or have my group look at me like I havent done anything. Im willing to work..just give me something to do!

On another note, we've somehow come to the idea of using fiber-optic fabric...

Luminex

at first I was ok with it, but now Im not so sure. What do fiber optics have to do with the textile industry? yeah, ok..its fabric. But I feel like we're getting away from what the mill is/was about. Is fiber-optic fabric really a thing of the present? As far as my research has taken me, there hasnt been a huge outcry for this material. It hasnt been picked up as a breakthrough in the textile industry in a while. Not to mention, theres so much fabric use in what we've already designed..if we replace all of the existing with this, it would be extremely bright..and probably in Rainbow Bright kind of way. On another note, theres so much natural light pouring into this building..because thats the way we designed it. Will the fiber optics not lose their appealing qualities? Im just not sold on the idea...

"Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict." -William Ellery Channing

BioMech Mills Presentation

BioMech Mills: Progress Report

We're making awesome progress! Jami and Jimmy are mastering the drawings and they look great. I couldn't have asked for a better team, and I wish I didnt have to work so much so I could be more of a help. Yesterday we went and bought materials for models, and I spent all day today working on a model of the building shell. It turned out pretty well, although my craft is a little weaker than I meant it to be. I need to practice my model-making skills, but at least this isnt a final detailed model. I need to apply some fun, finishing details and then it'll be finished. Im going to be working on our diagramatic plans tonight, once I make my way to the studio after work. We've designed a logo and came up with a couple neat brands:

Jimmy is working on coming up with a concept statement, and I like the work he's done so far:

Here's a sketch from Jami's sketchbook that we've used several times for reference and inspiration. This escalator system is massive and intricate, although the finished product is a lot more detailed than the sketch. I would love to see this thing built and functioning:
We've included a Mies Van der Rohe-esque restaurant system on the outside of the building, with tunnels to and from each floor, including the roof. We've incorporated my string model as a cieling system for the retail spaces, and Im please with the results of the model Jami made for it. I havent had a chance to take pictures of the recent models yet, but once I snap them, Ill post them for your viewing pleasure.

On Monday, when Suzanne said we were presenting on Friday, my heart jumped a little. I had no idea we would be "finished" so soon, and I was worried about being in the studio 24/7 (outside of work, of course) trying to finish everything. I'm no longer worried, I think we are in great shape to have a well-rounded presentation. I'm actually excited to see what everyone else is doing, since I havent had the chance to look around me recently.