Retail interior design is an exciting career option in which the inside environment of a retail location, such as a store or shopping center, can be enhanced to make it a pleasant place for consumers to spend time in. Retail interior designers use many of the same components as home interior design to transform the atmosphere of a retail space into something beautiful and functional, but on a larger, more calculated scale. Interior designers who choose to work in retail design have additional training to manage this medium.
Retail interior design in a store or shopping mall can include special overhead and accent lighting, plus the use of carefully selected colors, furnishings, flooring, fabrics and textures to create an appealing place for consumers to visit. The only difference from house interior design is that the design aspect is in the context of marketing the products or services of the business within the space. If a company is trying to sell or highlight a particular product or line, then the retail interior design must match with the theme of the product to entice consumers to purchase it.
Designing the interior of a retail space can be a challenge for any interior designer because of the large area to be covered and the complexity of the space itself. Generally, retail interior designers work in teams with each member handling an aspect of the design process. For example, there may be an interior designer in charge of working with the marketing team, while others may work specifically on colors or textures to use within the retail space. Other retail interior designers are experts at selecting artwork, displays or furnishings to be included in the store.
A successful retail interior design professional will be able to create an environment in which consumers feel good or have a pleasant experience while shopping. Retail interior designers work closely with store owners to make sure that the space is inviting and comfortable for anyone who enters. In general, having a retail space that people like to visit results in better sales than a space with stark walls or a crammed with poorly displayed merchandise.
Skillful retail interior designers are highly valued by businesses that understand the human component to running a storefront. Many of the best known retail interior designers are well-paid for seasonal department displays and massive design campaigns at major retail chains around the world. Each day these award-winning retail interior designers create the image brand that famous stores are known for.