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The Retail edition

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5 Reasons to Count on Counters

CONTENT

Defining Sheens

Evolution of the Retail Showroom

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The RiteSolution

Showrooms and the future of retail.

Have you considered the effects sheen has within your

environment?

Fabric and light redefine beauty department.

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Simply Dressing

Up

Getting HIGH on I.D.

Factoring in Hospitality

Microbe Free ART

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How Anti-microbial treatment is enhancing the design solutions in environments.

Graphics, layering and personality galore!

Using high I.D. for more than wayfinding.

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Email: info@fabricimages.com Phone: 847.488.9877w w w . f a b r i c i m a g e s . c o m

See your graphics in a new

LIGHT

For more information about custom lightboxes:

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Who’s WhoAdvantage

For Who’s Who in Milan, fabric structures take furniture concept from functional to fashionable for high-end brand.

The personality of the materials used complemented the brand’s persona in a way that enriched the store environment.

The Fuori Salone, a city event held during the “Salone del Mobile” (the furniture show) in Italy is a big deal. It is an annual event that is held in Milan and is the largest trade fair of its kind in the world. Businesses go all out, including the Who’s Who flagship store in Corso Como, Milan. As part of the celebration, the store incorporated a temporary installation that consisted of an assortment of tension fabric elements.

The showcase begins at the store windows with a series of rectangular panels that engage the season’s colors while acting as a backdrop to the mannequins. From there, the architecture winds through the entire store. As an added detail, acrylic shelving was added within the architecture to allow for product placement. The mixture of frame and custom-printed green fabric enriched the environment while simulating the architectural character of the event.

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Showrooms will be the Future of Retail

While there is no right answer, there is some semblance of direction. It is expected that by 2020 many brands will seamlessly integrate across online, social, mobile and physical stores. This integration will morph many stores, within a variety of segments, into showrooms where consumers can select and order products.

Where showrooms begin is with the integration of technology. The reason; technology allows personalized consumer interaction. Methods are already being integrated by retailers including beacons and RFID tags, which communicate to consumers in tandem with their shopping journey. And, more often store associates are being armed with smart devices that act as another catalyst in enhancing the in-store buying process. All of this technology allows retailers and brands to engage with consumers with relevant information and timely personalization to

enhance their buying experience. It also promotes store preference through a top-of-mind approach.

While technology plays a key role in generating consumer to retailer preference, it is ultimately still about the product. In the retail showroom environment, interaction with product is encouraged. According to the TimeTrade survey titled The 2015 TimeTrade State of Retail Report, 85% of those surveyed said they prefer to shop in stores because they like to touch and feel products before they make a purchase decision. Retail showrooms strategically integrate this hands-on approach and pair it with knowledgeable staff to enhance the buying experience while limiting showrooming practices.

The manner in which all of this interaction occurs relies heavily on the physical design of the retail showroom. This is the

From Store to Showroom: Retail of the Future

The evolution of digital has changed not only where we shop, but how we shop. The battle for retail sales is being fought from the sales floor to the digital device and, more often, in-store while online. This is what is known as showrooming; the practice of checking out products in-store but then purchasing online, typically for a better deal.

Showrooming is a battle that retailers are being forced to confront. As a result, new retail models are forming that are re-defining what the in-store experience is. As stated by Piers Fawkers, founder and editor-in-chief of PSFK, “The most successful retailers will integrate their online and offline businesses and understand how these two different channels drive sales in tandem. Some will turn their stores into showrooms, others into delivery spaces, some into lifestyle experiences. There’s no right answer.”

Writer of the storyAllison Pocewicz

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While technology plays a key role in generating consumer to retailer preference, it is ultimately still about the product.

opportunity to create an emotional outlet for brand engagement, which is crucial to retailer connection and showroom success. Kate Shepherd explains it like this in her article Multi-dimensional storytelling: Brands should follow Hunter’s lead and design sensory retail

of which evoke a deep emotional and intuitive understanding of the brand.” By integrating architecture and materials throughout the environment that leverage this sensory approach, the retailer turns from store to experience center which creates a deeper level of connection with

interaction and store design play significant roles in the future of retail. The showroom experience may seem far off, but 2020 will be here before we know it. As Linda Peterson states in her article What’s next in retail: showrooming and the new role of physical stores, “The basic

experiences, “The most effective spaces have layers of detail; each with their own narrative. This approach engages all of the senses, stretching far beyond the obvious methods of communication to include touch, sound and smell; all

consumers.

If a retailer can interact, entice and engage within a store environment then the connection to consumers will thrive. Combined, technology, product

assumption for the future of physical retail is that if the experience in the physical store is so good that you actually want to visit it again, the store will survive. Not only survive, but thrive in their new (and key) role in the retail of future.”

Beacons are a small piece of hardware making a big impact on brand engagement. Growing in popularity with retailers, beacons can be placed strategically throughout retail environments in order to communicate relevant information to consumers. This communication takes place utilizing low energy Bluetooth technology that speaks to the consumer’s smart device. For this to happen, the consumer has to have installed the retailer’s app and turned the location based services on. This works at a micro-local scale and delivers personalized content to the consumer, whether it is coupons, product information or store guides. The purpose for beacon integration within retail environments is to deepen the personal relationship between retailer and consumer through a tailored experience in order to increase brand loyalty.

Beacon Technology

RFID, or radio-frequency identification, is an older technology that is making way for new trends. For over 20 years, retailers have utilized this technology as a tool to aid with inventory tracking in stores. Fast forward to current times, and the evolution of the modern day shopping experience, and this technology is being pushed to bigger- and more experiential- functions. RFID uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. This information can be used to support other technology systems within the store environment, such as point-of-sale kiosks or in-store media. Because this data is real time, retailers are beginning to take advantage of the experiential value by having the RFID integrated with other technology throughout the store.

RFID Technology

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Reflection

At the apex between transparent and

translucent, Reflection is the least see-through of the collection allowing

for just a hint of what is behind it. Rear

illumination can increase the transparency while up lighting will skew the visual to a more solid

appearance.

Lite Mesh

Having good read through when printed, this transparent tricot

knit fabric is 100% polyester and holds

vibrantly printed colors well. The construction greatly increases the

durability and the resistance to wrinkles.

This fabric conveys a sporty, clean and modern look, while

being useful in a variety of finishing

constructions.

Sheer

The name says it all. This fabric has a high

level of transparency and graphics bleed through

to the backside with near 90% saturation.

Though delicate, Sheer can be used in an array of fabrications. The face has a slight luster which adds pop to graphics while non-printed, this fabric portrays a milky

clear finish.

Micron Mesh

The most see-through of our 10’ wide options,

Micron Mesh has an impressive amount

of durability. The fine mesh construction

holds inks surprisingly well and from a sharper viewing angle it looks

much more solid than it is. This makes it great for applications where

subtle imaging is needed in front of a bolder

background.

Enlarging Graphic OpportunitiesThe see-through spectrum

Opportunities for messaging are huge in retail environments, quite literally. Offering options to inform, guide, entertain or promote, 10ft wide seamless dye sublimation graphics present a grander surface for branding. However, branding isn’t only about the graphic. The personality of the material that holds the graphic is just as important. For a brand with an airy nature, or for environments needing a subtle division, a host of transparent fabrics are available.

Let the graphic AND the fabric tell the story, and tell that story bigger.

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Lite MeshDescription:

120” wide dye sublimation printable transparent mesh.

Characteristics: A little sporty, a little soft, Lite Mesh

maintains a perfect balance of strength and transparency. A unique Tricot Knit

which takes printed graphics well with a bleed through of about 80%, allowing for

double sided viewing.

Uses: Retail Banners, Zipper Pocket Covers, SEG

Panels, Box Covers, Window Covers.

Incorporate overhead to create a more intimate space without losing natural

light or use on vertical solutions to provide structure without the

feeling of a heavy wall. Pole Pocket Banners made

from Lite Mesh hang nicely, showing off your

lifestyle imagery and messaging in an easy to

deploy and maintain way. This fabric

conveys a clean and modern look, while

being useful in a variety of finishing

constructions.

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5 Reasons To use tension fabric to create modern counters

Organic Outline

Bold Branding

Technology Integration

Unexpected Form

Luminous Illumination

Organic Outline Fabric has a natural tendency to follow the path of least resistance. Strategically placing the interior metal supports beneath a fabric covering creates soft lines, unique form and visual flow. Organic design is an informal way to add luxury and a focal point within an environment.

Bold Branding Who says a counter can’t take on the form of your brand? Recreating a logo or memorable shape from a brand image in fabric can generate an unexpected connection point for guests while adding an element of distinction to the environment. Think brand association.

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Technology Integration As technology interaction gains prominence in environments, fabric structures add the needed styling to the display itself. While the exterior can take on any form, with or without graphics, internal support work and wire management is easily hidden on the interior.

Unexpected Form The architectural component that tension fabric offers can create a focal point within a space. The shape can be simple or complex, depending on the brand and space available. While frame and fabric form the shape, hard surfaces can be easily integrated to create counters and shelving.

Luminous Illumination A variety of textiles are available that enhance the effects of lighting. With the flexibility that fabric offers, creating non-linear shapes that are backlit can be a reality. Incorporating an unexpected pop of lighting within a counter offers soft ambiance within an environment.

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Selecting a Sheen: Shiny, Matte or Somewhere in Between

Like paints, textiles come in a variety of finishes from flat to very shiny. Luster (or Lustre) is all around us; the paper in a magazine, the screen on your computer, the finish on your table, the shoes on your feet. The list goes on and on. The finish you select for your fabric architecture affects the way the color is rendered and the tactile appeal while conveying a subtle message about the brand.

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Though many different terms can be used, in fabrics we most often use three descriptors; matte, lustrous and shiny, to describe the sheen on materials...

Matte: “Flat” or “Matte” finish in paint. Non reflective surface. This finish is best at hiding any imperfections. The French root is mat, “dead, dull surface,” from the Old French meaning, “dull or dejected.” Do not let this scare you away from using a matte finish which conveys bold imagery with less distraction and photographs the best out of all the finish options. These materials would provide a matte finish to your fabric architecture: Canvas 600 Duck, Visalight, Poly Cube, Architectural Felt, Milliskin Matte Spandex.

Lustrous: “Eggshell” or “Satin” in paint. A gentle sheen or soft glow, especially that of a partly reflective surface. It comes from the Italian word lustro, which means “to make bright.” This category has the most fabric options and can often provide just the right amount of depth to a fabric architecture solution.

Using these fabrics would bring a lustrous finish to your design: Lite Mesh, EZ Stretch, Relink 10, Phil-Tex, Heavy Knit.

Shiny: “Semi Gloss” or “Gloss” in paint. A surface that reflects high levels of light, often a smooth face. Shiny materials can have a strong glare with lighting. Light reflections on the surface can distract from the actual image. It is often difficult to look at a glossy print from anything other than a straightforward angle. However, shiny finishes seem to be the ones that we are more drawn to when compared side by side and colors are typically perceived as brighter on shiny surfaces. If a shiny finish is desired, consider using these materials: Flag Knit, Brite Screen, 45” Super Stretch Spandex, ElastiLuster and Stretch Illusion.

Valerie Cuchna / Writer

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Fabric architecture is now everywhere and used for a variety of applications. There is no finish that is better or worse overall, but we spoke with some experts to provide a guide to the finish that may work better in a number of unique situations.

Photographic Backdrops: MatteFormal Occasions: Shiny and LustrousImages of metal parts: Shiny and LustrousImages with sharp details: ShinySofter, sentimental images: LustrousVibrant images: ShinyViewable from many angles: MatteB & W monochrome images: MatteLower resolution images: MatteWater images: Lustrous or ShinyClear text: Lustrous

Now that you are familiar with the types and ideal situations for each level of shine, consideration should be given to what the finish conveys. Your design messaging can step up another level based on the finish.

Holding the sheen consistent throughout the space can create a more coherent, matching environment, while adding a pop of shine in an otherwise matte space can add complexities and interest. Sometimes it just comes down to personal preference when deciding which sheen is desired for materials in a space, but factoring sheen into your overall project plan will most certainly improve the outcome.

Shiny portrays: Vibrant, Dazzling, Flashy, High End, Polished

Lustrous portrays:Pearl-like, Softness, Warmth, Bright, Illustrious

Matte portrays: Durable, Professionalism, Tough, Bold

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Material SPARK

Architectural Felt Phil-Tex ElastiLuster

Mimicking natural wool, this matte finish textile has flexibility while still holding shape well. The contemporary array of

colors offered will make a bold statement while also reducing echo within an environment. Designed for high traffic and

long term use, architectural felt has high colorfast and lightfast

ratings.

The ultimate in gloss material, this fabric has stretch and

shine. The vinyl coated face gives a wet-look to the surface

and can certainly imitate the look of high gloss laminate in solid white, black, red, pink,

and more.

Stock dyed fabrics are offered in an array of

finishes to perfect the design. Next time you

are looking for a PMS 200 red or the blackest

black, these options will make your solutions

shine above the rest.

An amazingly versatile and cost effective fabric, the slight luster of Phil-tex material makes it an

excellent choice for a pop of color, bringing vibrancy to the space. Meanwhile, the stretch is just

enough to use this fabric around curves with a smooth, clean finish.

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Fabric Structure

Brings New Life to Retail

BrandUpgrading the identity for this

nationally known chain brought with it a redesign and revamping of the

store’s environment.

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Upgrading the identity for this nationally known chain brought with it a redesign and revamping of the store’s environment. Partnering with Rite Aid, Fabric Images, Inc. was brought on board for the creation of the alcove ribbon header located within the beauty department. The 81.5ft long header offers contemporary ambiance and adds a high level of class to the space.

The alcove ribbon began as a conceptual design that was developed to showcase the beauty department within the new wellness-focused flagship store. The ribbon reflects the brands innovative style. The color

palette is warm and relaxing, which is consistent with the personality of the store environment.

Color was a critical detail of the ribbon. Several tone variations were tested prior to final production in order to ensure that the graphic would relay the soft, feminine translucency that was envisioned. It was not only a matter of the color of the print but also how the graphic would react when backlit. Additionally, lighting the expanse of the 81.5 feet meant that the graphic could not have any seams or shadows, and the lighting had to be smooth and consistent throughout. Utilizing Luminate fabric, a polyester textile

with built in diffuser, allowed for a soft distribution of the strategically placed internal LED lighting. While the overall length presented some concern, the graphic was successfully printed in one seamless run via the dye sublimation print process.

Just as important as the color of the graphic was the color of the light. The lighting had to enhance the natural colors for customers looking at make-up. Along with this, the store environment also contained many other lighting elements, so having consistency within the Kelvin temperatures was critical.

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Now completed, customers who enter the store immediately notice the contemporary look and feel of the expanded beauty department that is defined by the alcove ribbon fabric structure. The successful application within the Flagship store has led to a program for the integration of alcove ribbons into additional stores throughout the country.

A huge benefit of the alcove ribbon design is that it affords customization. With every store having variations in size, space configuration and ceiling height, the ribbon shape and size can be easily reconfigured during the discovery process.

As part of the program, Fabric Images, Inc. oversees the discovery process, including the layout of the alcove ribbon within the space. Other aspects include managing site surveys and installation and communicating with the customer, general contractor and installation partners.

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Getting HIGH on I.D.Impactful wayfinding beyond simple text

There is something to be said for heights. Mount McKinley in Alaska, the highest mountain in the U.S., stands at 20,322 feet. One World Trade Center in New York stands at 1,776 feet, making it the tallest building in the western hemisphere. When you stand a distance from these icons, do you look at the low grasses or the sidewalk, or do you look up? If you’re like most, your answer is up.

Now put yourself into a retail store. Different type of environment, but where

Architectural firm Little (Charlotte, NC) was brought on board to develop an environment for retail chain, Chedraui that would break the mold from the current dynamic of big-box stores. The result was a clean and modern experience. Fabric architecture had a large presence throughout the 90,000 sf interior, including a 115ft long canopy, (3) 11.75ft x 21ft oval canopies, (1) 49ft dimensional header and multiple ribbon headers ranging in size from 35ft to 60ft in length. The fabric structures acted both as wayfinding and enhanced the overall ambiance.

do your eyes travel? Certainly not down to the floor if you are looking for something. There is a reason signage in retail environments is consistently in the air. Up high, it catches our curiosity, informs us of our whereabouts and makes an impression on our decisions.

As retail environments modernize and competition grows between physical stores and online, it’s all about brand association, brand promise and the experience. It’s time to take those high elements to the next level. A flat sign

with a little text is a thing of the past. Now it’s all about branding, image, navigation, architecture and connection.

While the highest peak and the tallest tower may be inspirational, retailers must be aspirational in the design of their environments. Taking the focus higher is just one step in the evolution of retail.

Chedraui Shakes up the HyperMarket Mindset

TRENDING

The opening of their store in Guadalajara, Mexico offered an opportunity to communicate modern-day brand value though stylish design.

Follow the Messaging CREATING DIRECTION

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Simple ExposureWAY FINDINGThe elegant tension fabric signs for the Metro stores span 8ft x 21.5ft. Visible from four sides, guests can’t help but be drawn to the scale and messaging.

Technology DrivenVISUAL STIMULATIONAt Best Buy it’s all fun and games. That includes the

signage which integrates a series of branded plasma screens directly into the architecture of the fabric structure.

Graphically SaturatedSUPER BRANDINGWith a multitude of high graphics, there is no forgetting where you are in this super market. The FoodMax name could not be missed within graphics spanning up to 50 feet in length.

Follow the Messaging CREATING DIRECTION

Within Autogrill Territorio Piacenza a yellow fabric ribbon acts as communication and identifies the counter while

creating a bond between areas of the environment.

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and group demands. Business and leisure are merging and environments are becoming multi-use with creative segmentation for intimate and social gathering. Hospitality designers are taking the mindset of diverse group congregation and are adapting the environment around it to create a clear sense of place.

While adapting for the modern guest within hospitality environments, areas such as lobbies are becoming more dynamic, less stark and more experiential. Comfortable seating, televisions and even bars are offering guests options,

Within their retail environment, Palacio de Hiero utilized temporary fabric walls to separate their special exhibition

from the rest of the store.

Consumer expectations have evolved greatly over recent years. With more competition and the battle between in-store and on-line, retailers have a tougher job when it comes to making their brands stand out. In order to stay relevant, the modern retailer has to bring more to the table than product alone. It has to bring EXPERIENCE. To accommodate for experience within retail design, a new model is fashioning which includes characteristics that are uncannily similar to that of the hospitality market.

Within hospitality, destinations are arising that cater to a growing variety of individual

The HOSPITALITYDESIGN FACTORAs the Retail market struggles to find its hold on the in-store experience, Hospitality is coming on strong as a major influencer in the dynamics of spatial design and the consumer experience.

Allison Pocewicz / Writer

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while unexpected architecture and art are creating interest and brand connection.

It is the idea of brand connection that takes us to retail. The same people who are being accommodated for within hospitality have a place in retail as well. In many ways, retail is still highly focused on product alone and getting the consumer in and out, but that doesn’t always allow enough time for the consumer to connect with the brand environment, and ultimately the retailer. Modeling off of hospitality, there are concepts that can be integrated within retail design to accommodate the modern consumer,

with focus on experience, branding and destination.

OFFER DYNAMIC APPEALAs retail dynamics change, the interaction within brand environments needs to be looked at differently. Within hospitality, environments are becoming flexible to accommodate for diversity, especially common areas. Multi-use spaces are being designed that cater to what has become a growing variety of needs and expectations. Business and leisure have blurred, multiple generations are exuding higher expectations and with the mobile lifestyle booming, guests have more

freedom to explore outside of their room.

Now, consider the idea of diversity within retail. What if the environment were to morph in order to offer areas for shopping, education, entertainment and interaction when needed? Think past product alone and there are product launches, special events and evolving offerings. These are all opportunities for a destination that integrates unique temporary or mobile solutions to tell a story while engaging consumers on a deeper level.

Sometimes that story takes an unexpected turn. For example, Palacio de Hierro, a

Layering various transparencies of printed fabric graphics offered artistic sophistication to Eliseo’s

store environment.

The combination of silver spandex and abstract printed graphics created a refreshing ambiance within Chedraui while guiding customers to the produce area.

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When integrated effectively, the material selection defines the retailer personality and creates visual engagement and tactical interest with the consumer.

It is common to see variety in texture, pattern and color. There is a collision between functional and fashionable. And of course, the more unexpected, the more memorable.

As for how this relates back to retail, take for example the graphic element designed for Eliseo. This element was created using a layering of textiles, varying in transparency and graphic placement, to create a three-dimensional art piece that also acted as a changing room. The material selection spoke to the classy and feminine personality of the department and enhanced the destination-like quality of the retail environment.

Destinations offer an opportunity to escape. It is a quality that hospitality has thrived in creating and guests have flocked to experience. As retail continues to change, the strengths which have propelled hospitality environments are making their way to retail design. What hospitality has taught us is to place focus on the consumer by creating an environment that caters to the customer, rather than focusing on product alone. The dynamics of the environment, including the architecture and the materials used, go a long way in achieving this objective.

the product areas, a new level of context is formed. This can be achieved through architectural form that pulls on material or graphical enhancement.

Chedraui showcased this design mindset at their Guadalajara, Mexico location. The wayfinding is subtle yet effective, using large shapes and graphics to guide the shopping experience. The result is clean and modern, pulling more on hospitality-like ambiance than typical wayfinding.

BRAND WITH MATERIALSIn his article, Why Brand Building is Important, Scott Goodson states “Brands are psychology and science brought together as a promise mark as opposed to a trademark.” In retail, every aspect of the experience has a psychological effect on the consumer, from the layout to the lighting to the architecture to the materials used to dress the space. When integrated effectively, the material selection defines the retailer personality and creates visual engagement and tactical interest with the consumer.

While this sounds overwhelming, the hotel industry is already accomplishing effective branding through design. Within boutique hotels especially, personality is abounding as material selection and spatial design are placed as high priority.

fashion retailer, launched a special event to showcase historical fashion. The event allowed consumers to step away from the typical shopping experience with an in-store escape to a museum-like environment that showcased the beauty of historical garments. The temporary environment was separated with mobile partitions, which enabled the retailer to easily transition the space back to the original form at the conclusion of the event.

RE-DEFINE WAYFINDING There are certain aspects of a retail environment which often remain in place as permanent features, such as wayfinding. These navigation opportunities influence the shopping experience but do not necessarily define it. Often integrated out of necessity only, traditional wayfinding can leave an environment mundane and lacking personality.

It is personality that creates the consumer to brand connection. In hospitality it is common to see artistic installations or architecture that draw the eyes up. While not commonly used as directional signage, there is certainly impact. What would happen if this idea were to collide with navigation? By taking the predictability out of wayfinding and considering architecture that enhances

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Email: info@fabricimages.com Phone: 847.488.9877w w w . f a b r i c i m a g e s . c o m

Where Form Meets Function.

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Microbe Free ArtUpon entering an environment, visitors should feel welcomed and the space should be functional whether it is a business, private residence or public space. These requirements have been a good foundation but now it is possible with new materials, prints and chemistries to take functional design to a whole new level.

In an increasingly digital world, an environment must satisfy the consumer in new ways. Research is emerging linking prevalent, well chosen, artwork within environments to increased satisfaction and sense of well-being. This can ultimately result in improved value, resulting in increased revenue. Visitors to spaces with prevalent artwork report less stress and perceived shorter waiting periods.

Adding an antimicrobial coating to your materials can also have positive, long lasting effects on the invisible properties within the same space. Unwanted microbes in an environment can cause cross contamination, unwanted smells and faster product degradation. Becoming very popular in apparel applications, modern antimicrobial coatings can be applied to a number of textiles for décor as well. Restaurants, Spas, Hair Salons and Gyms all have high traffic and communal areas that would benefit from large format wall coverings and artwork. They would also all benefit from antimicrobial properties.

Creating large format wall art and antimicrobial functionality is becoming more critical to the success of an interior design plan which focuses on creating spaces that support human health and wellbeing. There are a few key methods in which the properties are achieved.

Widely used are coatings that are applied after the fabric is produced, rendering the textile surface unsuitable for microbe growth. This method allows for lower batches with a vastly broader range of material bases. The topical coatings make fabrics resistant to microorganisms including bacteria and fungi. They can be applied to a wide variety of materials at a relatively low cost. An important consideration when using materials with an antimicrobial coating: When laundering, use a cool water setting. Repeated washing in hot water will decrease the effectiveness of the coating since it can be removed with repeated exposure to hot water. This treatment would be best suited to large format custom fabric pieces that will be used as wall or ceiling applications.

Other antimicrobial materials include elements that are “built in” to the fiber of the fabric. This antimicrobial approach (silver ions, copper ions or a blend) is typically longer lasting and is less prone to leeching. The materials are available in set designs, colors and patterns and generally have a higher price point when compared with post treatments.

It also is usually available on narrower width materials (54-60” wide). These qualities make it an excellent choice for upholstery and heavier trafficked areas.

The field of antimicrobials is ever evolving and developing while scientists are looking to nature for some of the latest concepts in antimicrobial technology. Chitin and Chitosan are natural products (produced from the waste of processed shrimp and crabs) that could provide a more environmentally sound alternative. Chitosan is biodegradable and would be applied to yarns before they are woven into fabric. Looking at these sources makes sense since crabs and shrimp are constantly surrounded by microbes, but they remain clean in spite of the environment.

Regardless of the method, antimicrobial fabric artwork will have a positive impact on the visible and invisible space within an environment.

Valerie Cuchna / Writer

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The Groove® Display System is a versatile graphic messaging system that utilizes dye sublimated printed fabric with a silicone membrane to attach your visuals of choice via an aluminum extrusion.

Merging channeled extrusion with textiles, the Groove® Display System combines flare and flexibility to dress your retail environment. This customizable messaging system offers versatility through the use of a silicone edge finishing technique. Utilizing this technique allows the textile a taught, precise finish and fit when inserted into the frame. The Groove® Display System offers:

• Unlimited size options• Numerous fabric choices• Vibrant graphic output• Easy change-out of graphics

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Simply DressingUp

A collaboration of design, personality and material.

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Located in downtown Wilmette, IL, Wilmette Jewelers approached Fabric Images, Inc. for the dressing of their store windows.  With recent growth in the area, the jeweler wanted to transform and amplify their brand presence in order to take advantage of the increase in traffic.

After reviewing the brand personality and objectives of the space, Fabric Images, Inc. was able to design a solution that would meet the desires of the brand. The transformation would offer the jeweler what they needed most- flexibility, transparency and an enhancement to their brand personality. Utilizing the Groove frame system and a layering of textiles brought this idea to life.

The Groove frame system allowed for a clean application of the support frames into the store windows.  The frames simply slide and locked into place within the pre-existing window frames.  With a small channel, the frames allow for graphics to be cleanly and easily inserted.

Within the channel is a layering of textiles.  The characteristics showcasing the brand are that of sparkle, class and elegance.  So, of course the fabrics utilized would imitate just that.  Keeping in mind the transparency requirements (to allow

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Visit Blendconcepts.comFOR STORIES AND DETAILS

viewing from the inside out and vice versa), two fabrics were utilized.  These included Metallic Stretch Mesh (for sparkle) and Linen (for elegance).  The Linen also acted as a surface for the dye-sub printed graphics. When layered over the mesh, a sparkling array was transmitted.

The last detail… adding opaque silhouettes over the graphics.   For these areas, black Celtic was utilized.  Once the imagery was precision cut, it was lined up and applied over the Linen.  This finishing added an extra level of depth and interest to the windows.

The transformation of their store windows has had great results for Wilmette Jewelers, creating the buzz they so desired.  By having a cohesive design across the entire store front, it is apparent from outside just how large the store is.  For the initial install, the windows told a whimsical story of engagement that is both fun and inspiring, but that message will change with the seasons. 

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VARIABLE 1:CELTIC & LINER

THE RESULT: LARGER THAN LIFE IMPACT

VARIABLE 1: STRETCH VELVET

VARIABLE 2: NEON SHADES

Blended together, amazing solutions begin to emerge. In this example, a retailer created a show stopping element that each visitor entering the store could not miss. It not only advertised a new bike tire, but also shared product info in an impactful way. Common materials and techniques are put together in unexpected ways.

Synthetic stretch velvets bring together the tactical traits of velvet with a durable elastic stretch for extra versatility. Using stretch velvet in an unexpectedly bright shade can offer a touch of surprise when a consumer interacts with the fabric for the first time.

A staple in the tensioned fabric industry, Celtic Cloth has a slight stretch with great wrinkle release. While excellent for Dye Sublimation printing, this fabric combo can stand alone with a great white point as well.

A solid skeleton of aluminum framework is the not-so secret ingredient to successful tensioned fabric architecture, however skilled frame engineers make it possible by envisioning designs while applying precision and detail.

Few fabrics have such a widespread reputation as velvet; tactile, elegant and smooth. Velvet has a certain touch-me appeal and can be found in an array of environments from track suits to posh lounges.

Bright, eye catching colors have experienced many rises in popularity, making their way into our advertising, fashion, home décor, construction sites and even markers. Neon shades have energy and spirit that is unmatched in other palettes.

THE RESULT: TOUCHABLE IMPACT PANELS

VARIABLE 1: STRETCH VELVET

VARIABLE 2:CAD ENGINEERING

Photo Courtesy of B Hawkins

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