ABOUT US
Design Interface is a retail strategy and interiors consultancy founded in 1991 specialising in new concept development, design & project management
Visit Scotland Blairgowrie Merchandise & Interiors
Design Interface is a retail strategy and interiors consultancy founded in 1991 specialising in new concept development, design & project management
Visit Scotland Blairgowrie Merchandise & Interiors
Athens International Airport Amway Corporation Aramark Berry Bros & Rudd Circus Costa Coffee Concession Planning International Descamps (France) Eurotunnel Harrods House of Fraser La Manga Club (Spain) Leica Camera Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation Live Liz Claiborne Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Lomond Shores Maritz Communications Mind Candy National Trust Nevisport Papa John’s International Philips Consumer Electronics Poundstretcher Pulse Group Royal Mint Scottish Wildlife Trust Selfridges TBI The Body Shop International The British Museum Company The Shaker Shop Tesco TGI Friday’s Tourism Resources Company Virgin Cosmetics Visit Scotland Vodafone UK Woolworth Germany Zapf Creations
National Trust
The National Trust owns many heritage properties, including historic houses and gardens, industrial monuments and social history sites. It is one of the largest landowners in the UK, most of which are open to the public free of charge. It is the largest membership organisation in the UK, and one of the largest UK charities by both income and assets. In recent years the Trust has moved away from its historical “cookie-cutter approach" to Café design to one that reflects the ‘spirit’ of each property or location. The design drive is one of the Trust’s answers to two major challenges: rejuvenating itself in a mature market where its catering operation has started to look dated and localising the menu offer to 100+ diverse locations, where the biggest opportunities for growth lie. We have helped the Trust generate new trading strategies and addressed both the operational and aesthetic challenges that such a diverse and sensitive portfolio presents; improving the financial and logistics performances of the commercial offer. Appointed in December 2012 working with the Trust’s internal consultancy, curatorial teams and property experts to date we have designed and project managed 12 properties in the London and South East Region. They include Chartwell, Sissinghurst, Claremont, Polesden Lacey and Mottisfont; each location is unique requiring a scheme reflective of its environment.
Leica Camera
Leica Camera, the luxury photographic brand had one store in Tokyo & wanted to open a second international flagship in London. Design Interface was retained to provide lead consultancy & interim operational management. Working with the country manager over a period of two years we became fully immersed in the brand’s values and characteristics. Supported by customer research we identified 4 new consumer relationship/sales opportunities. To provide ‘test drive’ facilities for new products in a studio setting; to create a menu of photo-skill enhancing workshops, meet the ‘experts’ and industry personalities and a forum to meet other owners. These requirements formed the basis for the retail store. We identified a brand appropriate location taking care to avoid competing with international fashion houses that are typically prepared to pay considerable premiums for the right location. Sourced the premises; collaborated with German HQ; defined product range & concept proposition; oversaw design of store, customer education centre & photo studio; led store build / fit-out; specified IT requirements, created systems & processes; recruited team; and managed the store for 9 months. The success of the format has resulted in the concept opening in other key cities worldwide.
Following a 15-year career with leading high street retailers including first hand experience of developing & delivering new store concepts, John established Design Interface in 1991. DI’s first client was Poundstretcher. Over 23 years the client base has grown to include many blue chip brands & in excess of 200 projects. John leads each project & is responsible for the strategy & implementation stages of each assignment.
Peter is the creative director & is responsible for the design stages of the project. Internationally experienced, he has worked on commercial developments from large projects such as airports and shopping centres through to retail and hospitality formats for major high street brands & independents. Projects often call for a broad range of skills, we assemble teams with the appropriate experience & backgrounds on a project by project basis working with a pool of collaborators who come from a wide range of backgrounds including graphics, model making, photography & theatre.
The Royal Mint Retail and brand experience bus
For more information use the contact form to send John Barron a message or use the information below - thank you.