DDI - September 2010 - (Page 8)

8 | From the Editor Passion makes perfect O n the pages of this issue, you’ll find a wonderful section (page 21) highlighting the well-earned distinctions of the 2010 DDI Portfolio Awards. Unlike many industry awards that are often selected by an editorial staff or a committee of “industry experts,” we allow the real experts of our industry—you, the readers of this magazine—to determine the year’s most highly deserving people, projects and companies. I think you’ll see, while flipping through this issue, that your votes have chosen wisely. The Portfolio Awards Survey, which we sent out in July in anticipation of this issue, also netted some wonderful responses regarding the current pulse of the industry. It appears that, yet again, a passion for the craft of design, the enigma of retail and the artistry of visual merchandising are the driving forces behind the year’s most prevalent trends. Take a look at some of these responses: What were some of the best retail design and/or visual merchandising trends of the year? —“A return to simplicity and strength, driven by the need to have more impact in difficult times.” —“Breaking out of borders and boundaries between creativity and ideas, some of it enabled by technologies, and some increasingly more open to varied cultures and other areas, as a function of consumers reaching out more in terms of standards and execution.” —“Vintage. Heritage. Storytelling. Art.” —“The greater and stronger use of colors and graphics to intensify the retail experience cost effectively and in-line with the new consumer mindset.” —“Back to basics.” —“Creative reuse of spaces, objects and furniture to be repurposed for retail use.” —“Eclectic spaces.” —“International cross-pollenization of thinking between design groups in one part of the world, with clients and design groups in the other part of the world.” —“In-store artistry.” Quite a lovely group of trends for us, as a magazine, to have the privilege to cover, and an even more exciting opportunity for you, as designers and retailers, to have the ability to create. While terms like “bottom line,” “value engineer,” “ROI” and “operating efficiency” are still well top of mind for many, the past year seems to have softened the edges a bit, allowing for words like “authenticity,” “inspiration,” “experience” and—perhaps most importantly—“passion.” In a Q&A with Missy Peltz, executive director of merchandising and display for Anthropologie (page 34), we learn that the passion of her team directly correlates with the powerful nature of the customer connection their stores are able to create—perhaps why they have been designated Best Visual Merchandising Program of the Year for four years running. “We truly believe that the sentiment behind what is being created translates to the customer,” she says. What a lovely thought. Whether it’s a handcrafted visual approach (à la Anthropologie), a playful and positive aesthetic (Apple), an out-of-the-case, into-my-hands service model (Tiffany) or reconnecting with your design-driven consumer (Target), all have seen some degree of relevance rise up as a passion-driven retail touchpoint, especially in the last year. Let the passion of your team and ideas rise up and speak to your consumer. Surprise us with something new. Delight us with the unexpected. Perhaps next year we’ll see you on these pages. Alison Embrey Medina Executive Editor alison.medina@ddionline.com www.ddionline.com | September 2010 http://www.ddionline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DDI - September 2010

DDI - September 2010
Table of Contents
From the Editor
Newsworthy
Shopper Insights
Greentailing
Editor’s Choice
Portfolio Awards 2010
Retail Design Luminaries
Retail Design Influencers
Design Firms of the Year
Best Visual Merchandising Programs
Retailer of the Year
Best-Designed Stores of the Year
Retail Standouts
Calendar
Advertisers
Classifieds
Think Tank

DDI - September 2010