When you’re working your way through the stages of opening a retail store, it’s wise to pay close attention to the designing stage. The designing stage requires a heavy involvement that can easily stall or deviate unpredictably if your choice of a design company is not right, if deadlines are not met or if the communication is less than perfect.
Here is a guide on what you should do during this stage to end with your dream store or shop.
- Pick a great design company
Every design project is different, and so are design companies. It is extremely important that you hire the right retail space design company for your project so that you get exactly what you need. When you start looking for a design company and are reviewing different proposals, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Some design companies offer more than a design service such as interior designs, graphics, and branding while others only offer one or two of these services. Getting one company to do all your design work will save you time and money and ensure the continuity of your brand, since your brand should be the underlining theme in all your efforts to bring your business forward.
- Study design ideas and preferences
Most design companies have their own special design questionnaire that helps you figure out your ideas and preferences, even when you do not know what you want. Others will set up in-person meetings to discuss about your specific business and branding ideas, operations and style. Finding examples of what you like is a start to get the ball rolling. Even when you have a design blur, all you need to do is to trust your design professional. Great designers are excellent at picking their clients’ brains and suggesting ways to achieve what their customers want and coming up with amazing brand identities.
- Plan for a solid schedule
Delivery dates are essential during the design process because it keeps you on track to completing the design phase of your project. Having a schedule also allows you to pre-plan the purchase of items that take a long time to deliver such as furniture, lighting or any special finishes or custom-made fixtures. Having a schedule keeps your designers on track by reviewing his or her design proposals in a timely manner.
- Review deliverables. Carefully.
One of the biggest slowdowns in the design process is the additional time taken by clients to review the design. What you can do here is completing your review within the allotted time. It helps when you move your project faster, start the construction on time and finish the project on schedule. Always remember to ask your designers how much time you have to review what he or she sends, and, in case you do not understand the design drawings, ask for a meeting or discussion in person.
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