Stephanie Cunningham

This space's redesign required excessive planning and research in order to become The Museum of Modern Art's gift shop. Having visited the MoMA, I based my design on the museum's contemporary architecture, exhibits, and merchandise. I also had to take in to account the preexisting conditions and the goal of any retail business: sales. I used the products on sale to create vignettes to interest and inspire customers. The central counter doubles as a point-of-purchase (POP) display, taking advantage of impulse shoppers.

Because the room is covered by windows I decided against traditional coverings and opted for more display areas. This elevation is centered on a small alcove that once housed a statue, but now it is home to a literal jewelry tree. The floor and ceiling are white, keeping with the rest of the museum. As a frame surrounds art, I intended for the white of the gift shop to frame the products, drawing the eye around the entire store. Purple is a soothing, luxurious color that facilitates the wandering shopper into finding a 'must-have.'

The floor plan illustrates the six display niches, not including the POP. Each display offers seating, giving the patrons a place to relax and visualize how the products could look in their home.

Here, you can see the cloud-like soffits that house strategically placed lights. The white, amorphous shapes add whimsy but not distraction.

This elevation illustrates a creative way in which to store posters, a big seller at an art museum. Flat artwork is kept in movable bins, while rolled posters are kept in drop down bins on the windows.