Response to Peter Baker Article

The article by Peter Baker was very insightful to the amount of different skills and jobs Visual Merchandisers actually have. His outline of the knowledge needed for VMs is very interesting since it’s very applicable to a lot of jobs, and helpful in understanding VMs.

The three areas of knowledge he outlines include;

technical subject matter expertise-meaning the news, techniques, and technology with the visual industry. He also explains Business Industry Knowledge – which includes the incorporation of business ideas and managerial skills in project, and finally Global Regional Perspective which is the use of market trends and cultural/geographical differences as a lens for your work.

This triple viewpoint approach to VM can have beneficial effects to your overall work giving way to a more well rounded approach to a project; artistically active, cost effective, and accessible to all audiences.

Baker’s approaches to gaining greater knowledge of the industry include walking the streets on NYC, art galleries, trade shows, movies, and so many other highly accessible mediums. Staying current and relevant remains a major part of any industry, especially since experts remain in jobs!

Response to Chapter 14

In chapter 14, you are introduced to a concept of store experience design, called modular fixtures. These fixtures can be temporary, or permanent. They come in many shapes, sizes, and forms; each with their limitations, and most importantly cost. Therefore when determining which system to use, you must take into account all of these factors and more. These modular fixtures have revolutionized the way store planners create shopping experiences in chains stores across the country, and even around the world.

Surrealist Display

Beautiful display from the FIT Holiday Pop-Up Shop!

Gene Moore Interview Response

In an interview with Gene Moore we get to see the quirky side of the Father of Window Display, at it’s best.  He’s such an adorable figure who works outside the “norms” of the industry.  He creates everyday items beautiful, and gives them new meaning, all while pairing them with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.  He works for nothing (estimated $50,000 a year), and just has fun doing what he does best… being free to do as he pleases.  Who would’ve thought he started out as a failed painter.

Response to Chapter 6

Chapter 6 was the one stop resource on all things exterior for a store.  Covering topics from the different types of store window fronts (angled, arcade, corner, etc.), to the difference of an open(Windows are present) and closed(Windows are blocked off, only the entrance is visible) facade.  Even little aspects like which flowers to plant in a planter corresponds with certain promotions, and adding certain lighting solutions will create certain moods.  An overall helpful article, I learned what fenestration meant(The window layout of a store)!

Response to the Making of the Bergdorf Goodman Windows Interveiw

This is amazing, it was an interview with John Gordon Gauld who does window backdrops for the Bergdorf Goodman windows.  He was describing the Triumphs and Tribulations of working on a window at the most respected store for window display in the world.  Both words are capitalized, because one can know that when these artists triumph they shone and when they meet tribulation they hit rock bottom.  Although you can tell that these resilient artists are willing to improvise and think outside of the box to get a quality product into the windows for shopper’s enjoyment.  I was truly amazed  at what they could produce.

Response to Chapter 5

In chapter 5, I read about the various types of display settings which include; realistic, semi-realistic, environmental, fantasy, and abstract.  All have specific benefits, challenges, and moods; each one is used to describe the two main classifications of visual display, institutional & promotional.  Institutional displays are used to help the community and don’t show any merchandise from the store, while promotional displays promote merchandise you can purchase in the store.  When creating a display, both institutional or promotional, you want to use the different types of displays.  Different type of displays are one -item, line of goods, related goods, & variety of goods.  This chapter was very informational, and had amazing examples of whatever it would be talking about at that point in the chapter.   The chapter was organized and easy to read.  I enjoyed reading the chapter, and learned a lot.  I thought the concept of a build up display was so cool. 

Response to Cubsim Packet

So  for my class, I had to read a three page packet regarding Cubism.  It was good at being brief and not one of those disastrous resources that take longer to read than a dictionary.  It went over the two styles of Cubism: Analytical and Synthetic, while touching upon the colours generally used in the process.  Finally, the packet gave great insight into Cubist Artists Picasso and Braque, sort of the fathers of Cubism.  It was a pretty sweet read.

Overview

The presentation handed out was a great insight into the motivational factors that go into purchasing fashion related objects.  Age, child or childless, and relationship status play a crucial role in spending money.  One other role is the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which is a model used in psychology.  The presentation also goes over the different types of purchases based on the piece’s functionality, societal responses  and even service at the store. 

Quick Fix Worksheet Summary

Quick Fix was an informational reading regarding the most common mistakes made by retailers in their stores, it covered topics such as: lighting, window displays and signage, store keeping, and even music selection and volume.  Many of these mistakes can be fixed in five to ten minutes, especially store keeping (ex. Clean bathrooms and fitting rooms that aren’t messy). Some mistakes that may take a little more time and planning would be product placement, interrupted sight lines, and ineffective signage.  While some may be a project, for example: poor lighting.  These mistakes are all too common in retail, and it’s the job of the store manager, visual merchandiser, and even sales assistants/cashiers to make sure they steer clear from such uh-ohs that could ruin the whole appeal of a store, not matter how beautiful the clothing is.