Custom Ink | Retail Design

A maiden voyage in RVA.

Shortly after starting at Custom Ink, I was asked to help extend the customer reach of this custom apparel e-commerce giant by designing its first ever brick and mortar store. No pressure.

Role: Creative Direction, Art Direction

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The challenge.

The creative test here was translating the online experience and brand identity into a retail environment that educated, informed, and delighted customers from the street and in the store itself. It was also important to connect with the surrounding neighborhood, not only aesthetically, but also in creating an environment for local engagement. We designed the space so that it could be opened up and used for community gatherings such as design talks, screen printing workshops, etc.. Community wall boards inside the store showcased local events and customer designs that created that sense of local affiliation we were after.

Successful blueprint.

Shortly after launch, sales exceeded expectations and the environmental design used in this inaugural store served as the creative direction for the now 12+ locations along the Eastern Seaboard.