Research for Craft Gallery Project

In researching art and craft galleries I found that a lot of the galleries crowd in a lot of smaller merchandise and a few large pieces. In many cases, this causes the environment to appeared very cluttered and would give me ADD. What I would like to do is have displays that force the patron to view one piece at a time. That is what I like about the displays in the Alexander McQueen store. (Visual Merchandising, page 140, Tony Morgan, LK Publishing 2008) I know it is not a craft gallery, but I like the design.

In the Chinese Arts & Crafts Store in JD Mall, Hong Kong, China, the layout is very linear and symmetrical. I like the back lit metal and glass shelving. (Top Shops 2, page 130, by Eduard Broto, Links Books 2008) Although the layout is not revolutionary, it would be an efficient way to use space if you had a long, narrow space to deal with.

In the store called Salire in Fukuoka, Japan, (Top Shops 2, page 222, by Eduard Broto, Links Books 2008) there is a central display that radiates out to the periphery of the store. In the center of the room a vertical element, in the form of a spiral created by stacked boxes, connects the ceiling to horizontal planes (displays) of varying lengths and heights that radiate from the center. The planes are repeated on the ceiling and serve as opportunities for lighting. I like this layout because it has some common elements with The Shops at Buffalo Bridge, such as the paths radiating from a central point and the planes at varying heights.

What appeals to me in the Moroso Gallery (NYC) (Top Shops 2, page 234, by Eduard Broto, Links Books 2008) is the ceiling, walls and flooring that create a neutral backdrop for the merchandise. Also, even the lighting, if it is not merchandise, is very subtle.