Yolick Yogurt Shop is an existing store located in Shanghai. Today I would like to share what was the inspiration behind this fun yogurt shop design and to maybe show you some of the process that was going during the design process.

We were given a challenge to come up with a fun and inviting space which would have a completely different identity from any other famous yogurt store around the world.  That means we could not use the same colors as some famous brands use, (this eliminates pink, orange, green or blue, and we could not use the same finishes, forms or shapes on the interior.

The idea of creating a “creamy” texture feeling came to me because when we are craving for yogurt we are first of all craving for that smooth and rich texture.  We decided to utilize smooth acrylic panels to deliver that texture.  Also the curves at the ceiling and openings for the lights further emphasized the “creaminess.”

As you can see on the image above, we went through a few ideas for wall finishes.  One of them was using wood to complement the creamy texture.  This idea was changed later when I saw these remarkable concrete tiles, picture below.

So for the 3rd wall we decided to use similar shapes tiles as above only in light banana yellow colors.

Above is one of the first design sketches and furniture, lighting, materials selection for the project.

Using TV monitors for ongoing ads and seductive imagery of yogurt was another idea to bring technology to the yogurt store and to create a place of attraction and destination for passing by shoppers.

The owner of this yogurt shop also wanted an option of having long seating bench along some walls which you can see on the images above.  Below is one of the sketches produced to envision the bench and flowers on the wall.

These lights are a perfect fit for the overall design of this yogurt shop.

for the facade we also wanted something inviting and bright.  the images of fruits which were provided by a branding team were a perfect complement to the signage.

Please let us know what you think about this yogurt shop design and if you think we had success in creating a “creamy” appetizing space for a younger crowd as well as for curious passing by shoppers.  Would you come here to try yogurt?

To ask us questions about your project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.

Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time.  It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using some of the mentioned above cognitive responses.

I really like the combination of the bright orange color and green and blue contrasting accent colors on the walls of the store.  The space is well lit, even the counter has strip lighting creating a nice glow on flooring next to it.

Glass panels with “creamy” patterns divide overall larger spaces and add a nice element to the design.  The panels also throw swirly shadows on the ceiling.

The menu is very simple, it displays one price in large letters.

My favorite element of this yogurt shop design is this patterned gyp board with lighting above it.  Overall it’s a nicely done yogurt shop design with some fresh trendy ideas.

To ask us questions about your project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.

Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time.  It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using some of the mentioned above cognitive responses.

Get this Chinese Dragon Stencil HERE.

1. Colors

We all know that Electric Orange (or so called Tangerine Tango) was chosen as the color of the year 2012 and it was not unintentional choice.  An electric orange red color is uplifting, and energizing! It’s also been noted to look great with almost every skin tone. You will definitely see a lot of great examples of using this energizing color in any type of furniture line, finishes and materials.

See other images of this trendy flooring by Modularity Tiles HERE.

Here are some trendy colors of 2012 that I believe will show up more often.

2. Materials

The content of new materials in 2012 will become very important.  It has to be recycled, recyclable or have an option to be reused in the future.  The problem of over-floated landfills is very big and designers will try to do everything in their power to choose the right materials for their designs. Take a look at this imaginative rubber tile collection which is completely made out of recycle rubber.

To see different choices of this trendy rubber flooring by To MARKET look HERE.

See more textured fabrics by Debar HERE.

3. Textures

Trendy textures of 2012 will lean towards natural look even if in synthetic materials.  For example these floors look very natural even though they are made out of vinyl. Note the tone of the wood is very subdued which I think will become the most popular choice among residential as well as commercial customers and designers.

See other trendy flooring selection by Gelflooring HERE.

Wallpaper will become trendy this year but only in textured pattern like on the image below. Read more on what to choose for your walls paint or wallpaper HERE.

4. Shapes

Furniture and overall shapes of 2012 are more organic, similar to the collection by Marco Pisati on the image below. The shapes will be inspired by the aerospace and natural landscape.

See more trendy furniture designs by Marco Pisati HERE.

5. Lighting

When selecting light fixtures, try going a bit outside your comfort zone this year.  This industrial looking light fixture by Seyhan Özdemir & Sefer Çaglar (called double octopus) would fit perfectly in most contemporary spaces.

See more lights by Seyhan Özdemir & Sefer Çaglar HERE.

See how different colors of your interior send us different messages HERE.

To ask us questions or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.

This dramatic wall mounted piece is composed of back painted carved sandblasted design on 3/8″ thick glass mounted on two posts with stainless steel background piece.  The stainless steel surface allows light to bounce off its surface illuminating painted sandblasted design.

By Ernie Orfila

After 39 years of practicing my craft and art, I continue to be amazed at the limitless possibilities inherent in a medium born of the very elements of our earth combined with fire and illuminated by the most ethereal of elements, light.  Leaded glass, more popularly known as stained glass, born in the Middle Ages to bring color and light to the great cathedrals of northern Europe while a most ancient medium of expression still offers our contemporary secular world an opportunity to foster an environment of serenity and renewal.

A grand gesture of leaded glass for a grand staircase.  Bringing a sense of wholeness and artful play, lead lines of various widths cascade down through all eight openings.  Pastel colors are juxtaposed against clear seedy glass to enhance natural exterior light and reflected interior light.

This photo of fabrication process illustrates the detailed and exacting nature of this ancient medium.

Sandblasted glass offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to design and ease of maintenance.  Usually it is done on thicker annealed glass or when building codes require, laminated glass. Drama within such designs can be achieved in myriad ways. Carving is when a layered three dimensional quality is required while single stage sandblasting is often used in presenting simple positive and negative shapes while shading can provide illusion of dimensionality if desired.  Also, painting of etched surfaces when used judiciously can bring another level of drama to a any sandblasted commission.

This Purefitness entry in Carlsbad is an example of single stage sandblasting with shading on tempered glass. Reflecting its coastal location, design incorporates flora found in local area.

This standing screen of carved and painted glass incorporates contemporary and traditional design elements. Ribbon-like forms are carved and highlighted with pieces of laminated dichroic glass.  The vertical inset borders are sandblasted and painted with gold lacquer.  Awarded first place in sandblasting category, Art Glass Association of Southern California Annual Show ’02.

This stationary sandblasted and painted piece was commissioned for luxury condo in downtown San Diego.  Measuring 2’8″ x 8’6″ this work was done on 3/8″ laminated glass.

Over the last several years I have researched and developed some new techniques for incorporating “fired on” decals, color along with gray scale, onto fused colored glass.  To the best of my knowledge, I am one of few doing here in the west.  There is much territory to explore yet and I firmly believe this medium has some terrific potential for commercial applications.  Its use in design of donor walls for public and private institutions would be one such application.

Above is an examples of fired on decals with fused glass illustrating the relation with original photos for decals and completed work.

To learn more about Ernie Orfila’s work go to his website: orfilaglass.com

To ask us questions about your project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.

Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time.  It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using some of the mentioned above cognitive responses.

User interactive displays becoming more popular on larger and smaller scale.  Knowing that there is something new and exciting waiting in a store creates a buzz which brings more people.  Imagine that shoppers can go through merchandise while the store is closed by looking at the large IPhone-like display on the front of your store.  Now, that’s something to talk about!

Starbucks interactive display In Canada.

Orange was one of the first retailers using interactive display utilizing the latest technology in 2007. Here is what an objective of that project was: “To create a new point of engagement and experience at their Carnaby Street store, one of London’s premiere flagship shopping destinations. Retail is expensive real estate – why shut up and go home every night when the shop front can work its own overtime?” Similar interactive window was made for Repetto store in Paris.

Repetto store in Paris, interactive display.

Apple is another innovative retailer, utilizing its own technology at the checkout points which are small devices in the hands of the sales people walking around the store.  This eliminates the need of having a cash register, creating a friendlier environment and a feeling of freedom at the store.

Apple Store Interior Design.  Image credit www.zimbio.com

My favorite innovations is for those who do not have time to shop, the P & G Virtual Drugstores recently opened in Prague are great way to buy on the go. One simply has to use their mobile phone to scan the code, and the groceries will be delivered to their home.  So if you see huge posters of products for sale on the walls of the subway station, along with their prices and QR codes you can simply capture QR codes of the products you want to purchase using your mobile phone.  You order will be sent to Mall.cz for fulfillment. P & G is guaranteeing free second-day delivery.

Some companies get creative placing QR codes right on furniture pieces or even on sports players’ heads! Utilizing more and better technology is definitely an ongoing trend in any business this year.  The choice is yours how to use it and what will be more profitable in your industry.

Photo Credits www.trendhunter.com

To ask us questions about your project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.

Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time.  It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using some of the mentioned above cognitive responses.

This seductively lighted Abercrombie & Fitch’s  store is attempting to lure in older shoppers.

I am predicting that the use of Neuroscience research is going to become a number one trend in designing any interior within the next year.  We will see more designers paying attention to the human’s natural cognitive responses to the surrounding environment. This awareness will touch smaller retailers and other business owners as well.

Who do you think will attract this opening of a new Abercrombie & Fitch’s  store?

A famous branding specialist Martin Lindstrom in his book “Brandwashed” takes us on a tour of Whole Foods to show how our cognitive responses work: “As you descend the escalator you enter the realm of a freshly cut flowers. These are what advertisers call “symbolics” — unconscious suggestions. In this case, letting us know that what’s before us is bursting with freshness.”

Shopping is becoming an experience within a space. Wittner store at Chadstone shopping center in Melbourne, Australia.

Another example is the pleasing smell that accompanies the purchase of a new car which comes from a factory-installed aerosol can containing “new car” smell. Or that Kellogg’s trademarked “crunch” is generated in sound laboratories to create the sense of desired crispy texture. Or even a pair of recognizable Abercrombie & Fitch jeans stand out not by their look or cut but by their fragrance.

Bonnie Boutique, a ladies-wear and gift store in Oxford with provocative message on the wall “So Why Study?”

These are only a few examples of suggestive selling based on neuroscience. Neuroscience usually helps to implement Suggestive Selling for retail clients through graphics, text, product placement, circulation, colors, materials, lighting, smell and even music that you hear on the background.

Shockingly different, feminine and attractive store design of Fornarina in Las Vegas.

The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA) was formed in San Diego in the Spring of 2003 by the San Diego Chapter of the AIA (American Institute of Architects.) But their research has not been as in depth as research by some of the world leading marketing companies.  It is unfortunate that only marketing gurus can be financed to do research on how to generate larger sales for companies instead of architects learning how to design buildings that actually heal people. But at least all of the latest marketers’ findings have been published within a few years for architects and interior designers use.

Photo Credit

To ask us questions about your project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.

Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time.  It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor by using some of the mentioned above cognitive responses.

Parliament, a graphic design/marketing company in Portland, Oregon, redesigned their office interior. The interior design uses salvaged and reclaimed materials, including salvaged pizza ovens, street signs, and wood from old crates, a barn and a church.

Now you can conserve your water in style with this slick faucet.

Did you know that the new California 2011 building code has already incorporated the performance standards that are found in the USGBC LEED certification program?  The LEED certification program is striving for water and energy conservation and reuse of old construction materials salvaged from other projects. Using non-formaldehyde adhesives and natural paints are other great ways to go green.

This recycled glass tile is beautiful and can be used in any interior, commercial or residential to spice up the look.

Solar tubes to illuminate the sales areas and backroom spaces during daylight hours, motion sensors to control the lighting in the backroom, restrooms and offices, LED lighting for walk-in coolers’ doors, higher efficiently HVAC units, low water usage water closets and lavatories and highly reflective roofing material, these are just a few components I see business owners started applying.

These beautiful reclaimed beams were used by an architect on the residential project in La Jolla, CA.

When redesigning your retail store or your business, ask your designer to look around for an old salvaged counter top or even used floor finishes.  I always try to reuse what I can from my clients who are going through demolition process. I can use quite a few materials on my new projects and it’s free for the next owner!

This flooring was taken from one of my client’s house and placed into an office conference room on another project.

Maybe your store is looking for a new fresh look and those old oak floors you have are not a good fit at this time.  But someone else is creating a warm and cozy cabin look and is in need of your oak flooring.  Getting creative in reusing old materials is a great trend you will observe more and more this year.

This bakery shop in Osaka, Japan, wanted a rustic feel and look.  The bread is being displayed on a reclaimed wooden railroad sleeper.  It definitely brings character to the space which could not be achieved otherwise.

One more little trick you could use to attract your customers is: educate them by placing signage about what you have done for your space to make it “green!”

To ask us questions about your project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.

Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time.  It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor.

If you are looking for new interior design trends for 2012, rebranding is one of them!  You will see old established brands infusing their interiors with more energy and fun.  Take a look at how McDonald’s rebranded itself in France last year.  The fast food restaurant interiors were redesigned to be more “family oriented.”

The new McDonald’s will have a completely new look with integrated technology and a sleek modern style. A new children’s eating area, children’s menu, a climbing wall and technology features like iPads and other interactive games are expected to be in new locations.

With the success of the first restaurant McDonald’s plans to open 1,200 more locations in this newly rebranded family oriented style. According to a McDonald’s spokesperson, the new concept “represents the evolution of the eating-out experience for the family…”

As a designer I’ve noticed the use of the new color of the years 2012 – electric orange as an accent color throughout the McDonald’s interior.

What do you think about these changes in McDonald’s?  Please leave us your comment below.

To ask us questions about your project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.

Also, take a look at “Branding By Interior” e-book, the only book written on this subject at this time.  It brings insight on how you can turn your business into a market-dominating competitor.

Google reveals yet another office design of its Engineering headquarters in London. This office has nothing to do with the previous playful interiors that we are so used to seeing in Goolge offices around the world.  This new office has received a quite cool contemporary environment from upcoming architecture and interior design brand Penson.

The dark blue corridor are highlighted by futuristic dim lights coming from the corners at the floor base and the ceiling.

This plastic white meeting room below has interesting architectural elements such as a table flowing in one with the wall TV mounting piece and the ceiling sofit over the table.

Work station spaces look very uniform and remind me of a row of seats on an airplane.

Most of the walls at the Google Engineering headquarters are made with magnetic white board laminates, adding a glossy look to the spaces and enabling the engineers to write or draw wherever they are.

This coffee lab is made of compressed sheets of spent fresh coffee shavings, according to the designers.

The flight pods, innovative lounge areas and meeting spaces, were invented by Penson specifically for Google.
To ask us questions about your project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.

This Wittner store by Studio Ginger is offering a sleek, contemporary interior design with a perfect green twist – a vertical garden or a green wall as a backdrop for shoe display.  This is where hi-end store branding offers a place with fanatics shopping experience!

The store is located at the Chadstone shopping center in Melbourne, Australia.  A vertical gardens and green facades specialists Fytogreen create this incredible green wall which provides the feeling of being in a private garden while you shop. How much more relaxed would you feel shopping when being surrounded by the lash greenery?

The green vertical garden wall provides a perfect contrast against the rest of the store’s modern interior. Black acrylic shelves, glossy tiles and haute quilted walls bring attention to the boutique’s luxury footwear.

Blue custom made seating furniture is complemented by the same color carpet resembling water pond at the center of this garden.

This shoe store interior design is a magnificent example of how to use modern clean look in combination with natural elements to improve shoppers’ experience and to create a destination place for curious visitors.

To ask us questions about your project or to get a free consultation from Mindful Design Consulting, click HERE.