The project based on the development of systems for public conveniences in the Orion mall – Brigade Group, was taken up by Foley Designs Pvt. Ltd., a product design firm in Bengaluru. The client had brought in Foley designs to develop key public convenience features that are very crucial to customer involvement in the mall.
The project was divided into two modules, addressing two different levels of customer interaction. One involved designing and developing solutions for customer touch points defining the need for recreation, relaxation and rejuvenation in the ‘non-shopping phase’ of customers in the mall. This involved the developing of an integrated public furniture system within the mall – entailing browsing, seating, water, garbage disposal, and the integration of plants within the space. Greenery was seen as an important part of the ambience solution, thus requiring a ‘planter system.’ The solution was looked at from the perspective of durability, aesthetics, intelligent use of materials and a comprehensive maintenance of the public furniture system.
The second module included the development of a device or product to assist a shopper during an extended shopping experience. Buying patterns were to be studied and insights were to be developed to articulate design solutions. The product was to be developed and tested in a ‘multiple store’ scenario. The product was looked at from a larger perspective in the form of design implications to the mall spaces such as parking bays within the mall and at external access points. It also addressed issues of mobility across floors, theft and seamless accessibility using the device.
The insights and the understanding generated during this project formed the basis of concept generation and design realization for the mall, the possible design intervention led to the conceptualization of new products which make an extended shopping experience pleasurable and enjoyable.
