Trend: Monocromatic Parts

When you follow retail design, it’s hard not to love small things in mass. Today’s feature covers the monochromatic side of commercial clutter. Using texture and shape to create depth, each of these installations keeps the eye roving.

This black sculpture by Louise Nevelson is part of the permanent collection at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C. Each shadow box tells a story, inviting the viewer to get lost behind each shape. Using molding to fill their most recent window display in Chelsea Market, Anthropologie has created a white linear collage.

Simulating ropes using ceramic, the refurbished Westfield Shopping Center in Sydney, Australia tricks the eye with it’s fantastically intricate exterior.

March 2, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Digital: Patterns Overtake Times Square

A few years ago, while sitting in a creative meeting at Renegade, a digital marketing agency here in New York, a design colleague gave a presentation on Sao Paulo’s no advertising policy, blowing all of our minds. We all thought, “how could that be? No ads, not anywhere?! Amazing.”

Fast forward, as this idea recently seeded a digital collaboration between great minds here in NY. Morgan Spurlock, of Super Size Me, The Barbarian Group and the creative team at Aviary made it their mission to create a website with the intent purpose of removing all visual advertising from Times Square, entitled No Ad NY.

While the advertising is arguably the kitsch appeal of this commercial hub, the idea is fun and inviting- so much so, that I took a few of my own patterns and tossed them into the spread. Have a look, play around, and make some of your own designs- the final results will look like life-sized presents.

February 17, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Shredding Paper

During the recession, paper displays were everywhere, from window storefronts to ironic advertising campaigns. Unsurprisingly, they’re continuing to make the rounds, however this time with great energy and the help of a shredder. Using a basic white palette, Kensie texturizes white paper bushels behind their model. Simulating movement on a 2D surface, this canvas at the Hirshhorn (artist unknown) uses mixed media to create similar chaos. Implementing the wildly popular terrarium for a preserved effect, Liberty of London recently proved a budget can force boundless creativity.

February 16, 2011 | By: Shayna Kulik

Retail: The White Chair Jumble

Beautiful, busy and budget continues to win when it comes to retail styling. Interestingly, we’ve watched the white chair phenomenon spread around the globe. From the LA fashion boutique, TenOverSix, to the Tokyo concept store, Franc Franc, to London’s Top Shop, to the wine shop, Le Vigne, located in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, jumbled white chairs have become the no-brainer of retail design.

Using a truckload of chairs from a Salvation Army in Newark, NJ, Carlo Orrica, the owner of the NY wine shop, in collaboration with MadLab, was able to achieve creative perfection on a low budget by painting everything glossy white. It’s easy to see how this DIY process has been appealing to many, not to mention the neutral seasonless palette is the perfect backdrop for any display product.

December 16, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Technology Patterns for Women

From time to time we highlight brands that incorporate digital trends into their product design. From print collages to Missoni pillows, it’s important to note the designers who are embracing the pixel. The latest round of products are attempting to lure in a female customer:

The Parrot Minikit Primavera is a limited edition bluetooth portable hands free phone from the UK that’s incorporated a floral motif into it’s surface design.Similarly, the latest laptop from HP Envy has done the same thing with their laser etched aluminum cover.

Magnifying this pattern for their retail display, the Alessi store in Midtown Manhattan has fully embraced this movement, proving kitchenware can at once be organic and future-forward.

December 2, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: 2D Gone 3D Tanagrams

Tanagrams aren’t going anywhere. They’ve been in the market for a while now and are continuing to evolve each season. Here’s a collection of monotone triangular products in 2D and 3D. This clock was recently featured in the pages of the French shelter magazine, Vivre Cote Paris and has a very angular presence. Softening the mood, these Miu Miu stockings provide scaly texture and organic curve. Adding lux and topographic undertones, this Stellar Mirror by Jake Phipps reveals the back story of cut diamonds. Proving the sculptural version of this trend can translate into budget-friendly sculptures, this window display by the creative team at The Indo Projects recently won a sustainability and found object contest.

November 16, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik