Abingdon Eye Centre, Abingdon
Dipple & Conway Opticians, Diss
Mewscraft helps transform an old bank into a beautiful new home for opticians practice
Mewscraft recently completed the refurbishment of an old bank in the heart of Ilminster. Transforming the beautiful listed building into a wonderfully modern and calm home for Richard Stent Optometrists.
For more information and photographs, see the Case Study page here.
The Importance of Furniture Design
The aesthetics of your furniture can make or break the style of your practice, so making sure you have the right look can mean everything. A piece of furniture can have so many different roles in the day to day running of your shop and it has to meet every demand made of it, whilst also ensuring it matches and compliments its surroundings.
As with all forms of design, furniture often follows either one of two avenues; Form driven or Function driven.
Furniture that follows form generally sets out with a desired aesthetic in mind, with concept designs based on design influences and mood boards. The Function is usually catered to as a secondary factor and the materials are chosen to match the desired style.
Furniture that follows function would be a piece that gets the job done, with no compromise. The aesthetic will purely follow function and materials are decided based on mechanical and budget factors.
Knowing which avenue you should go down or what mix of avenues you wish to follow, is one of the most important decisions you can make for the design of an interior space.
In a retail environment, it is imperative to get the blend of form and function so that you can attract, maintain and inspire your customers, whilst also ensuring they can be catered to in an effective and efficient manner.
The right reception desks, display stands or even coffee table in the waiting area, can affect how the customer perceives your entire business and your brand, so it’s important to make sure the design of your furniture perfectly matches the brand values you want to portray.
Shining a light on retail design
Lighting is an extremely useful design tool within a retail environment, however, its significance is often underestimated.
When used correctly, a carefully considered lighting scheme will not only illuminate any chosen space and most importantly, your merchandise but it can also transform them.
Lighting can create different moods and atmospheres which appeal to your customers and can directly reflect the direction of your brand.
The first major decision to make is what mood you would like to represent within your space.
For your customers to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere, maximise the use of natural light and use fittings that emit soft diffuse warm glows. This appeals to your customer’s sense of familiarity, allowing them to feel comfortable within the space you have created.
Or on the other end of the lighting temperature spectrum using bright white high intensity light in a variety of directions to create a clean energetic environment.
This would be ideal for a youthful, high energy environment such as sportswear, or one which focuses on a clinical, fresh feeling such as a technology retailer, medical centre or opticians.
Generate drama and contrast within your space by layering ambient lighting with feature, directional and task lighting and play around with different intensities. All these different elements can help direct customer flow and enhance their journey through any given area.
Good lighting can also draw people into your space from the high-street and direct their attention to important areas with key merchandise or significant information.
Directional light is especially important within a retail environment as it will highlight your products and single out specific areas, these are usually spot lights illuminating your wall displays and islands.
Maximise the potential and impact of your space and merchandise by creating and utilising a unique lighting scheme that is specifically adapted to your surroundings, product and brand.
Scott Wroe Hearing select Mewscraft for Penarth expansion project
Family owned, independent Hearing Centre, Scott Wroe Hearing is broadening it reach to a new Penarth location, Mewscraft are proud to be providing our services to complete the expansion.
The project is well underway and from the initial design concept Mewscraft has been focused on providing an exceptional finish for this premium hearing centre.
The new location highlights a new look for Scott Wroe Hearing with a warmer colour palette emphasizing a welcoming seating area and reception. Scott Wroe is focused on an exceptional and tailored customer service experience and Mewscraft are delighted to be able to bring this objective to life.
This project is set for completion before Christmas and will see Scott Wroe Hearing take on its 3rd premises.
Mewscraft supports Rodericks Dental diversification into Optical
Mewscraft are very pleased to announce the completion of the displays and furniture refit at Rodericks Optical in Buckingham.
The attractive new refit aims to help Rodericks break into the optical market by introducing a contemporary opticians into the existing dental practice.
This was a great project for Mewscraft as it allowed the design team to use their creativity to develop bespoke furniture to fit the space and specialist requirements and Rodericks are very happy with the results.
Maximise the power of window display
Your window is one of the most powerful tools to help your business stand out from the crowd and lure in those important customers. Not only do you face competition from the small shop next door, but also from the big retailers and chains, therefore this is your perfect opportunity to capitalise on your product and position.
Rule number one, less is more.
The biggest mistake in window display is attempting to fill every last available space with merchandise. It may seem obvious but this method is just overwhelming and ends up looking unfocused and unprofessional. Keep your display simple. Some of the best window designs I’ve seen showcase only one or two items, but do so impeccably. The main objective of your display is to turn the heads of those passing by, engage them enough to stop what they are doing, become curious, and walk into the store to find out more.
Ensure you design has balance. You should be thinking of your window as a frame for a piece of artwork. Avoid displaying everything at the same level, create some interest by placing items at different heights, grouping products in aesthetic compositions and use complimenting colours to tell a story.
Don’t forget to add some personality and individuality to your window, after all this is one of your unique selling propositions, offering something different to the chains and making your customer feel special.
Lighting is key. Despite this, lighting is often an afterthought, it should be at the top of the list when it comes to planning your window display. Not only are we naturally drawn to light, but good quality lighting will really make your merchandise sparkle.
To summarise, attempt to view your window as a potential customer, how would you want a shop window to make you feel? Keep designing, until you achieve that feeling. Then its done!
Mewscraft completes project for Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow Caledonian University was a great project to work on. Mewscraft is developing a considerable track record in the public sector where we are able to apply all our extensive experience acquired over 25 years and our cutting edge design passion.
See our latest work for Hynes
Mewscraft was very pleased to complete the impressive redesign of Hynes Opticians. See our before and after shots here
