Final Project

http://bayalla.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/cunyfirst-mobile-app/

http://bayalla.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/cunyfirst-mobile-app-brainstorm/

http://bayalla.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/wireframe/

Wire Frame

FAO Journey

From the moment you reach the store, you realize they are trying to portray a dignified and classy demeanor because they have a doorman dressed in the fashion of the Queen's Guard in London. Upon entering the store, you are greeted with giant toy soldier statues and a plethora of toys and candy. One design feature I noticed was the choice to place mirrors all throughout the store. This is an interesting idea because it makes the store seem a lot more spacious and full to the brim with toys and candy- quintessentially a child's candy-land adventure. Due to the addition of the mirrors and the way they design the store, it definitely feels as though they are going for the "more is more" philosophy. I must admit, they hit it right on the money simply because it is a toy store.

I tried to see myself as a small child walking into this store. I would have been in a dazed mixture of awe, manic jubilance, and deference. The store would have seemed huge because of the mirrors, and paradise because of the candy. They large toy soldier statues would have made it seem like I was in a kingdom of sorts. The design of this place is obviously geared toward the child who pulls their poor parents into the store- no pun intended (if they weren't poor when they went in, they might just be when they step out; 50 bucks for a little teddy bear? F##k that).

The first floor of the store is dedicated to candy so the kid gets all hopped up and even more excited. Then they pull toward the escalators to head to the second floor. On the way up, children look out in awe as they are greeted by the insanely largely stuffed animals looking out at them from the sides of the escalator. This is a design scheme that functions just like the mirrors; it is dedicated to awing the child and giving the illusion that they are in an otherworldly kingdom of large animals, candy, and big ass toy soldiers.

To add to the illusion of the store being some type of Kingdom, they have employed the use of high ceilings and large columns to hold them up. Throughout the store there are little archways and "magical" little interactive stations set up. They have a giant piano built in to the floor where both children and adults take the time to check out. They have a station where children can build their own dolls, interact with iPads, and just enjoy the feeling of being a child in a candy/toy/magical kingdom wonderland. To make sure the child is always hyper and excited, there are candy carts set up throughout the store where the child can beg their parents for popcorn or whatever else they need to get their fix.

The trip to FAO Schwartz assured me of three things: the first being that children are the most depraved beings on the planet and some really deserve to be punched in the throat, the second is that the design of this place is obviously geared toward the little bastards, and the third is that it attempts to give off an air of elegance and high class- almost like a kingdom-like atmosphere, which is clear when comparing it to another major toy store like Toys'R'Us.

Website Design Midterm

Re-design

Einstein

Signage (Assignment #3)

 1. S'MAC (Bad): This sign's design is relatively uniform in the Lower East Side- meaning that there are a bunch of places in the area that try to fit a type of "low-budget" niche. The sign itself is simply spray paint through a stencil plate. It is yellow and orange because it's a mac 'n cheese spot (duh). As a sign, though, it is not really a great one. People are constantly walking by the place when looking for S'MAC.

 

2. Papaya Dog (Good): What can I say? I almost always end up at one of these places after a night out drinking. It's never hard to miss due to its large, neon bright letters. As a sign, it gets the job done by grabbing your attention while sending the message to their drunken customer base; "Come on in, for 5 bucks you'll have a meal you'll also regret tomorrow".

Thai Terminal (Good): This sign was done really well. The sign alerts the potential customers that this is a very clean cut, slightly pricier Thai restaurant. After looking at the sign, I went in to have a look at the menu. The only time I'll eat there is during the hours they have their lunch specials going.

Bishops & Barons (Bad): The sign itself is actually a very attractive one. It features a sort of two-tone font that gives it the air of fanciness (or tackiness). However, the sign did not deliver on one of the most basic functions; alerting potential customers to what the place actually is. Upon spotting the sign, I though it was one of those hipster clothing stores. It's actually a restaurant and bar. Go figure.

Blind Pig (Bad): Upon spotting this sign, my first thought was bacon. Alas, there was only beer. The font is a little skewed and quirky. This let's people know that this bar is catering to a certain crowd. However, the sign is very obscure and easy to miss. Maybe the place thrives on word of mouth?

Union Square Inn (Bad): This blasphemous little sign is false advertising. It's telling people that the apartment building above it is a fancy inn. We all know the truth. But it's probably a value place in a nice neighborhood. Who knows?

 Sweet House (Good): This sign does exactly what it is supposed to do; it emphasizes the fact that this place is a point of interest for women looking to pamper themselves for a value price. The font is large, bright, pink, and girly enough to catch your attention when next to the austere, sad looking signs next door.

Gramercy Reading (Good): I thought this sign was done well because it was so quiet. While that may seem a little strange, I'd like to point out the chaos that sits around it.It grabs your attention, and the font seems fancy or even semi academic, which adds to the fact that there are books within its doors.

Bluebell Cafe (Good): This sign was bright, and fancy looking enough when set next to the dull places around it that it grabs your attention right away. It is also somewhat indicative of the slightly inflated prices within its doors.

The sign in the middle (Bad): I don't even know what the hell it says. Maybe that's the point because it's a bar? They probably want you to get wasted and smoke cigarettes outside while asking people around you where you are.