See the Unexpected

Hal Louchheim

October 30, 2012

3 Markets; 3 High Tech

• With the broad spectrum of products and colorful packaging, food markets create a visual overload in which customers try to focus on what they came to find– or be attracted to “glittering”, impulse items. Thus, many design elements can be overlooked while others are strictly functional.

• Lead by Apple’s example, the high tech stores attempt to be cool expressions of the brand. One “experiences” these environments almost as one does the devices themselves.

Cut out cows… • Here’s the scene referred to in Tina’s book– inGenius page 71.

(Sorry about the focus.) I had been shopping there for years, without “seeing” the farm scenes.

Biancini’s Market, Ladera, CA

Mirrors • With all the products on the shelf, it seemed a bit strange to

have mirrors that extend the shelf and add visual confusion. Might be a slick design touch in a clothes store.

Safeway Market,

Menlo Park, CA

Fake windows • To enhance “feel” of a street market, we have fake windows

overlooking the marketplace inside the market– along with ventilation ducts…

Sigona’s Farmers Market,

Stanford Shopping Center, CA

SONY Revival? • Slick and spacious, SONY displays an

array of new products in a setting denoting high-tech quality and sophistication. Service people in abundance are eager to demonstrate the products

Stanford Shopping Center, CA

A “rotting” Apple? • Once the standard of cool, Apple now

looks somewhat dated compared to its enlivened competitors. Crowded and noisy inside, some service is delivered at table outside.

Apple, Stanford Shopping Center, CA

Highest Tech Experience… • Big surprise– Microsoft has created something with real style. Incredible,

ever-changing environment where the side “walls” display products, landscapes and whimsy. Places to sit and explore new products. About 3x the size of Apple Store– one door down the mall.

Wow… Almost theater-in-the-round. Don’t blink, you’ll miss the changing scene Microsoft, Stanford Shopping Center, CA