branding.

after taking a poll from the class the 'chosen' one was this one. i, as does everyone else felt that this particular font went best with its modern and sophisticated look. im thinking that these three with the possibility of more can be used in several ways as the logo. the more horizontal (bottom) i am currently thinking to use as the signage for the exterior. still struggling on how to design the exterior. any suggestions....?





the branding for CHOC-A-LOT is a representation of the chocolates being sold in the store. since the design is a clean, simple and modern approach, the branding should be as well. i started 'messing' around with the shapes of the chocolates being sold (circles and squares) and came up with this layout of 3 squares and 1 circle. i immediately felt that this was the way i wanted to go. it has a very sophisticated appeal like the store. the only difficult part now is finding the appropriate font to match the logo. it most certainly needs to have the same qualities as the logo and design of the store.

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some ideas...

free writing

So far, I know what type of product I am selling which is custom chocolates. This consists of chocolate sculptures to decorative chocolate with pictures and patterns. I plan on having the space more modern and unique. Not like all the other chocolate stores you see. There is going to be beautiful large displays of the products. I would like to incorporate a window so the customers can see the chocolate sculptors in action as well as a tasting station that will guarantee the satisfaction of our chocolate to the customer. All this works together because this chocolate store is going to be a specialty and unique store, meaning it is selling specialty products yet architecturally looks unique. Since this is not your typical chocolate store, it is all custom, then the store should show it. I feel that my design and product selection ties in with Revolution Mills because it is unique as well. Revolution Mills houses stores like salons and photography studios however one does not consider it a mall. They are specialty stores, more high-end stores. Revolution Mills is trying to draw people in by having unique stores, not ones you can go to every mall and find. Stores that only you can find at Revolution Mills. This is why I believe that this custom chocolate store will fit in with Revolution Mills because it is unique. However, being that it is the only chocolate store in the mill, it will make it even more unique to the mill. I also think that this applies to Greensboro as well. Yes, there is I am sure many chocolate stores here in Greensboro but not all of them will cater to your needs like this store. This store makes all chocolates to your specific needs and desires instead of going and buying products that might have only a few things you like in it or it is not personal. This will give Greensboro a unique and special gift shop!


Inside a customers head…
When I first approached the custom chocolate store I noticed the chocolate sculptures, pictures and other specialty designed chocolates in beautiful display window. Chocolate leaves were hung all throughout the store front windows to look like leaves falling from the trees and chocolate pumpkins sat on shelves in the window as well. When I walked in I was greeted by a lovely sales associate that offered to assist me if I needed anything. The store was well laid out with many chocolates displayed in their decorative boxes. The store was simple and did not take away from the chocolate yet beautiful to enhance the uniqueness of the chocolates. It was easy to order my costume chocolate but the only difficult thing was there were so many beautiful choices to choose from. My order will be ready soon but I could not leave without getting some chocolate. I chose some with modern patterns on them in a very neat caring case. Upon leaving the store the sales associate was very friendly and I left with my recycled paper bag in hang feeling happy with my purchases!

precedent study

RIVER STREET SWEETS



(photos courtesy of river street sweets)

My inspiration for the project originally came from this candy store. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, it’s known world wide for their fudge and pralines. I personally have been to this store and was amazed by how delicious every thing was, how nice the staff was, and how neat and cozy the store was. I chose to use their most famous products for my boutique that include a several flavors of fudge, and pralines, and nuts (cashews, peanuts, pecans and almonds). I also took inspiration for the way they package most of their products. They use decorative boxes and ribbons to create beautiful towers, which make great gifts.


CHOCOLATE.COM



(photos courtesy of chocolate)
This is an online store that distributes their chocolates to many different stores around the United States. What caught my eye from this online store was the way they packaged their product. They have taken a more modern, fun and hip approach to the design of their package. This was accomplished by the bright colors and patterns such as polka dots. Even a solid color box with a colorful ribbon makes the product appealing and modern as well.



100% CHOCOLATE CAFÉ


Just by looking at this picture, I have this huge craving for chocolate! I love the contrast of colors between brown furniture and the white walls and floors. The main reason this picture attracts my attentions is the lighting. I love how the some of the lighting is hidden which creates an illuminated wall and floor. This also adds to the contrast between colors and possibly even materials. I also find the ceiling to be very interesting since it resembles chocolate. This could be a neat design in my space but not as ceiling, perhaps a wall, who knows.


CONCEPT ROOM


I love this room for several reasons. First off, the modern and elegant design is as of right now, the direction I am going in and this space speaks it well with the elegant chandelier and walls and the modern furniture. I think the walls create a unique look, with the metallic accent, when the light hits it. Like I said before about 100% Chocolate Café, this room has a great contrast between materials and colors. I really like how every thing is black and white with a punch of red to add some drama. I also like how it is a simple space with not a lot of clutter but yet it still makes a bold statement.

HERSHEY’S

Obviously Hershey’s is a chocolate store however, that is not the reason I chose this space. This space resembles Revolution Mills with high ceilings and concrete floors. I like the choice of lighting in this space. The pendent lighting looks as if they are floating in the air because the cable is very thin. This creates a really interesting and modern effect.


BAR AT HOTEL PLAZA ATHENEE



(photos courtesy of Ultimate Lighting Design pgs. 386-389)
The lighting in this bar transforms the place into looking like fire and ice. The chandelier above radiates a range of colors created by varying intensity of red and blue lights. Throughout the night the lighting changes, blue in the early evening and gradually deepens into a dark red at the end of the night. Being that chocolate can be a seductive dessert, this lighting is as well. Chocolate is a soothing happiness that you eat and this lighting can be too. It can create moods just like chocolate can. I feel that lighting will play a large amount in my design.

gourmet treats

after a wonderful, restful fall break, we are ready to begin our design of our very own retail space. i am actually excited to have the opportunity to do this because it is something i am very interested in. i chose to sale gourmet fudge (a small selection of flavors), pralines, and a small selection of nuts. every time we go down to charleston, sc, we always go to this fudge shop called river street sweets. they are known around the world for their fudge and pralines and to add a personal tough every thing is homemade. to add an even more personal touch, they customize gift boxes and tins to any occasion whether chirstmas, birthdays, weddings or any others. all gift boxes, towers, tins and any other holder for the candy always look sophisticated and well designed. for a more modern look i took inspiration from chocloate which had very colorful, simple and fun gift boxes. overall, in my store i am going to focus on those three main products and how they are displayed and boxed for people. i plan on taking a few field trips to some chocolate stores to further my inspiration and ideas...

to answer the questions asked...
i believe this store makes since at revolution mills because this store is a a higher quality of fudge, pralines and nuts with gift boxes appropriate for corporate events, christmas, birthdays and so on.
the store appeals to the people willing to spend a little extra for a more fulfilling and scrumptious taste. great for gifts and corporate purposes.
this store is unique to greensboro because there is not many places you can find great sweets that are packaged with care, design, and letting the receiver know they are getting the best quality of fudge, pralines and nuts around.
yes, this products allows for a creative display from allowing buyers to see the products actually being made to the fixtures they are displayed on to the beautiful boxes they will be taken away in.

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