Sunday 28 April 2013

What is Good? Shop Environment Research.

I have recently visited some shops in Leeds that have homewear sections so that I can gain a better understanding of how the products are displayed within a shop environment. All three have similar aspects but I think with how they displays have been set out and arranged you can tell which ones are more of a higher quality.


Next

The first shop I visited was Next, which had a large variety of products. Colour was a big aspect in how the pieces were displayed, which made the shelves nice to look at and made shopping a lot easier for the customer as they were drawn to the colour of products that appealed to them and all the surrounding products could easily link with what they wanted to buy, maybe leading them to buy multiple items. Although I did feel that the shelves within his shop were quite cramped which made a lot of the items blend together, rather than have the space to stand out. The shelves were also not very well aligned which made the composition of items harder to look at.










Marks & Spencer

The displays in M&S were a lot better organised and the products were a lot easier to view. The shelves themselves also seemed to be of a higher quality which I think would have an effect on how the customer views the products. The pieces were arranged by collection which made it easy to see how the pieces work together and would influence people to but the whole set. The packaging also clearly links with the items so they are easily recognised, they are also clearly visible within the display.





House of Fraser

House of Fraser had the most decorative displays which I think reflects in the higher cost of the products. This style reflects more strongly with my own products. The shelves are not standard and have the look of props to bring the collections to life, it also allowed the collection to be viewed as a whole very easily. Actual dining tables were also placed within the shop that makes it very easy for the buyer to imagine the products in their own home. The shelves have also been organised very well and the products are lined up making them easily viewed.







What is Good? Further Catalogue Research.

I have gone round some shops and gathered together some catalogues to have a look at what content is used and how certain aspects are displayed within them.


Next

This is the first catalogue that I looked at, it is a4 scale and features a lot of content. It has a very scrapbook looking style that I am personally not keen on as I think the pages look cluttered and messy. I also feel that it won't link with the contemporary brand that I am creating. There is very little white space which makes it hard to view and pick out certain items, there are also lots of photos overlapping at different angles that I find distracting. There is also a great deal of text that often overlaps the pictures which doesn't help with the busy composition. The products never really appear on their own but mostly placed with an environment set up, I think this could help the audience imagine the items in their own home and help with placing certain pieces together. I don't like how quirky shapes have been used to hold the price as I think it gives a tacky look and not one of quality. Colour plays a big part with where certain products have been placed within the publication which helps to give some sense of flow as you turn the pages.















M&S

This catalogue was a lot easier to read through and pin point certain items, mostly because there is noticeable less. On most of the pages it has been limited to one photograph that allows you to see more clearly the items involved. One aspect I like is how the publication has been split into sections with a title page for each that sets the scene for the products to come. The products have still been arranged within a room but the shots are a lot less close up which allows for greater space around the outside. Which is why with this catalogue having writing over the top isn't such an issue as it isn't so cramped up. I like how different fabric colours have been displayed at the end of the book and also how swatches have been included, this is definitely something I would like to consider doing with my own work.














House Beautiful

This style of publication reminds me more of a fashion magazine. I think the use of white is very refreshing and brings out the colours of the products. I like how the items have been displayed separately as I think the are easier to view and see the detail. Again colour has been used to organise the pages, giving each spread a unique look.



Tesco

Finally is this Tesco magazine with a homeware section. The type has been constrained to columns and rows within the composition keeping it separate from the images. It also follows the tradition of displaying the products within a room. Quite neutral furniture has been used so that the products have more focus.

Saturday 27 April 2013

What is Good? Further Wallpaper Research.

I have recently sent of for some wallpaper samples to further my research. I think this is helpful because it allows to see the pieces first hand rather than viewing them on a screen. This allows me to feel the products and look more closely at the process used on them.

This pieces use a process called 'flocking' that leaves a velvety texture on the surface, I think this is an interesting process but doesn't really appeal to the them I am going with as it is smooth rather than rough. I like the use of blue as a strong contrast to the white as it is very eye catching.



This sample gives the impression of texture with the paper remaining perfectly smooth. This has been created with the use of a subtle striped and zig zag pattern in a slightly darker shade. It is a very clever yet simple technique.



These samples focus solely on texture and colour isn't necessary. I think this is a good technique as it focuses all the attention on the feel of the product and the light and shadow is also clearer, depicting the texture a lot better. Being able to run your fingers over it and have a tactile experience is something I would like to re-create.



These two samples have used a metallic finish to highlight the main aspects of the print. The effect is quite subtle as the colours used are very similar to the base tone, which means how it catches the light depicts how strong the pattern becomes.



These two pieces have had a paint texture applied to them, rivulets have been created which gives the designs a subtle texture. I like how when you run your fingers over the paper you can feel the individual shapes. I may be able to re-create something similar using screen printing.



I chose this design as a sample because of how it depicts architecture, even if it is a very different style to the kind of building I am focussing on. An illustrative technique has been used and the building has been represented very literally which is something I want to step away from and use a more abstract attempt.



These two pieces use a very subtle spot varnish to give a slight impression of the pattern. I got one in each colour so I could evaluate how much colour can affect a design. In this case the outcomes are very different and will give a totally different look to a room.



With these samples texture had been applied digitally using digital samples. This is a very easy way to create texture fast.



I finally looked at how each sample had been labelled and there were a selection of approaches. I think the sticker aspect works best as it means you don't have to directly print onto the back.