My project at Grottini Shop Systems started with a basic understanding of the various elements of retail design, the working of the company, and research and analysis of the existing projects undertaken by Grottini.
I was introduced to an ongoing project of an Italian swim wear brand called Aquateam, which was planning to open new stores throughout the country for the first time. It was to set up a shop in Porto Recanti (Italy) and San Servino (Italy). The concept and the manufacturing were understood along with the onsite experience of setting up the shop. I also looked at the colour palette, client profile, materials, the look of the store, and the design language.
Being a lifestyle accessory designer, the main challenge for me was to add a unique value to the store which was done after the store opening and in the next store of Aquateam. A critical analysis of the store in Porto Recanti was done looking into each detail consisting of the store layout, the front window, flooring, cash counter, etc. In retail, usually the structures are in accordance with standards and it was a challenge to break the boring outer appearance keeping the structure, manufacturing process, cost of fixtures in mind and come up with an element that was exciting but connected all the elements in a shop, following the same language.
Apart from Aquateam, I worked on a series of other projects individually which included brainstorming and using the concept of cheese to make a wall unit and gondola for Freedom Wear, an apparel store in India; working upon the unifying elements of pipes which ran throughout the store including the show windows for Palm Tree; and conceptualizing for the entire store, Head2toe, along with a classmate.
