Communicate Your
Value with Your Space
Good space design tells your customer you understand them.
Client Success Story: Jeff's Kid-Friendly Retail Store
Client: "Do you work with retail spaces too?"
Dr. Morris: "Absolutely. Let me tell you about Jeff, who loved retail and wanted to create a store that would be both parent and kid friendly while showing off his merchandise in the best possible way."
The Design Challenge
Client: "What was his main concern?"
Dr. Morris: "Jeff needed to balance several things - making parents feel comfortable shopping there, keeping kids engaged and happy, and ensuring his clothing merchandise looked its best. It's actually a pretty complex challenge when you think about it."
The Color Strategy
Client: "How did you approach the visual design?"
Dr. Morris: "We went with a neutral color scheme for the wooden fixtures. This signaled 'kid-friendly' to parents while letting the colorfulness of the clothing really shine through. The neutral backdrop made the merchandise pop instead of competing with it."
Strategic Merchandise Placement
Client: "Was there strategy behind where different items were placed?"
Dr. Morris: "Definitely. We placed items with the age of the children in mind. Baby clothes went up high since babies obviously weren't going to be selecting their own clothes - that's all about the parents. But larger sizes were placed within reach of the older children, so they could touch and choose items themselves."
The Results
Client: "How did it work out for his business?"
Dr. Morris: "The space became exactly what Jeff envisioned - a place where parents felt comfortable shopping while kids could engage with the merchandise at their level. The strategic placement and color choices made both the shopping experience and the merchandise display work beautifully together."
The unexpected...
The Island Bookshop
Client: "Can you give me an example of how the age and character of a space affects people?"
Dr. Morris: "There's a wonderful bookshop on an island that's become a real gathering place for both locals and tourists. What makes it special is the warm, old-fashioned feel created by the exposed wood beams, wood tables, and wooden walls."
Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere
Client: "What is it about those elements that draws people in?"
Dr. Morris: "The space invites people to hang around a while, just like the elements in the store have hung around for a while. There's something about that sense of permanence and history that makes people want to linger."
The Psychology of Age and Comfort
Client: "Is there a psychological reason why older customers seem drawn to that kind of environment?"
Dr. Morris: "Absolutely. Unconsciously, older customers feel comfortable in an older store. Age has value - it suggests stability, authenticity, and trustworthiness. When the environment reflects those qualities, people naturally feel more at ease and want to spend time there."
