Monday, October 19, 2009

My recent study on "RETAIL ARCHITECTURE"


The basic aim of a retail store is to develop an atmosphere that helps the seller in promoting and selling good and helps the consumers select and purchase the items with ease. Because of this aim, retail design involves taking into account several considerations of promotion, graphic design and ergonomics, in addition to the usual ones relating to architecture and interior design.

When the design for a retail space is being created, the designer should make it according to the particular uses of that retail space. For example, an art gallery would need an entirely different design and structure from that of a supermarket. Many factors have to be considered while working on the design, such as the type of products being put on sale, the degree of involvement of shop assistants in the purchasing process, the number of products that need to be displayed, and so on. Many a times it is also essential for customers to be allowed to try the products, while some other retail environments may only require exhibiting the products. The retail design adopted would thus vary accordingly.

Other than the functional aspects of retail design, consideration must also be given to the attractiveness of the retail environment for the buyers. It is very important that the retail space is amicable towards the buyers and motivates them to make purchases on stepping into the shop. The designing of the retail space can immensely contribute in this regard. There should also be place within the store for promoting the goods through advertisements to increase the probability of a sale.

In addition, the retail store must impress the customers to such an extent that they are compelled to visit the store in future for more shopping. Hence, an expert retail designer will always give due attention to the ambience of the shop that would ensure that the customers have a nice and pleasant time in the shop.

To make sure that the retail design is effective, the designer should be acquainted with fundamentals on optimal utilisation of space, promotion and psychology of the customers. These factors should be understood both by the owner of the retail space, so that the precise requirements can be communicated in an efficient manner, and by the retail designers, so that the design effectively meets those requirements.

Finally, it is not just the designing of interiors of the store that needs careful attention. The outside design and appearance of the shop should also be appealing to draw buyers to the shop so that they enter and look at the goods.

Monday, October 5, 2009



1200 miles..............

1200 miles..............


this number goes through my brain constantly.... 1200 miles. That's how far away my girlfriend is from me.

Oddly enough, we lived REALLY close to each other for a good portion of our lives. With the same interests, we probably even bumped into each other here or there and never even realized it. But for now, she is 1200 miles away.

We talk every day, sometimes several times a day. On the phone, in emails, gifts... just about anything we can do to try to make the distance go away. "I just wish I could hold you, I just wish I could be you," is my hourly mantra. 1200 miles...

Simply put, she is amazing. She's so funny, so beautiful, so caring, so intelligent, so... everything, finally sweeto. And it's not crazy infatuation- I know she's not perfect, nobody is. She is however perfect for me, everything I've ever dreamed of and more, and I tell her so every day. 1200 miles...

With our schedules, visits have been laborously impossible. We met last week, and then a major emergency (literally, a real one, have to rush for interview) made it impossible for me to spend some more times with her. My current lack of transportation means that to get there by bus or train would not only take a half a day, but would also cost far too much money both ways to make the trip plausible right now. It pains me that I can't go to her, that I have to put all that pressure on her to come to me. 1200 miles....

I love her with all my heart, all my spirit. I also know that this distance is only temporary... with of few years ,she will be "coming home"- back to me, living in Pune, working here, and we will be together every day - a fact that makes both of us incredibly happy. I couldn't ask for more... except to ask that it would happen sooner, but really, having waited this long for happiness, I can wait another 1 more year . 1200 miles....