Dress-tination

Lane Bryant:  College Hills:  Normal, Illinois

What's your Dress-tination?  The fist item that viewers notice is the sign, which is not only in the middle of the display, but it is big, bold, and underlined.  Lane Bryant is having a sale on dresses, which is perfect timing for Easter.  Although the sign is a major focal point for the display so is the border surrounding the display.  This is the part of the display that makes walk by traffic stop in their tracks.  Its unique design and pattern makes viewers stop and look at the intricate patterns and shapes within the border.  It also flows well all the way around so viewers look at all of the corners of the window.  This border gives the window a look of perfection, like looking into a display case.  This border itself makes viewers want to go inside to see what dresses are available for purchase. 

Bring Out Your Wild Side

Chico's:  College Hills:  Normal, Illinois

Where is your sense of adventure?  Well that is what this window is asking viewers.  Chico's is going for a wild side in their new merchandise.  Their signage, "New Style Adventure," is telling viewers to take a risk come into the store and see what adventure awaits you.  This window is displaying immediate action.  The mannequins are on different levels, filling out the entire window and making the viewers eyes flow from left to right.  The levels also make a wave like layout which also helps with the flow of the display.  The focal point is the middle of the display due to not only the sign, but the picture as well.  Overall this window is well balanced and the merchandise definitely has a visual presence.  

Creative Master Pieces

White House Black Market:  College Hills:  Normal, Illinois

This display simplicity is effective in this window.  The store shows off all of the different master pieces in their new spring collection.  From jackets, to shirts, to skirts; this store is showing it all off.  The eyes of the viewer go immediately to the sign due to it being a bright white color.  From there the eye moves from right to left giving the window an even flow.  The window is asymmetrical, but it works as an advantage.  Some of the merchandise is displayed on the mannequin and on the hanger showing off to the viewers that not only does the merchandise look good on the hanger, but they good on too.  These outfits are perfect for spring and White House Black Market is showing off their new master pieces in an effective way.

Bunny Hop

Francesca's:  College Hills, Normal, Illinois

Easter is one of those holidays that stores like to have cliché windows.  This display window is symmetrical and balanced on each side of the window.  For every mannequin there is a pair of bunny ears.  The mannequin's bunny ears are placed where the head of the mannequin would be.  This makes the window proportional and accurate to the size of the mannequins.  Although there is no signage, viewers can clearly tell that Francesca's is selling outfits for Easter and these are just four of the infinite amount of outfits that viewers can create.  This makes viewers want to immediately go inside to find their perfect outfit.  There is unity in the display due to the overall theme of the window and all of the elements that were added to perfect the window.

Hawaii 50

Bath and Body Works:  Geneva Commons:  Geneva, Illinois

Doesn't this window make you want to go on vacation?  This window is fun, vibrant and creative.  Who wouldn't stop and stare?  The window makes viewers look at it from the top down due to the signage being vertical.  At the end of the word Hawaii there is an assortment of their new merchandise they are promoting.  The window it self can been seen from miles away, but the focal pint is actually the word new.  The contrasting colors make every part of this window stand out and the theme unifies the window together.  All of the elements are proportional to the window and everything is just the right size.  Even though this window is asymmetrical, there is still a sense of balance in the window because of the sign being on one side and the picture being on the other.  This window gives viewers a sense of warmth and summer.  The way this window is presented it absolutely amazing.

Dress for Success

Gap:  Geneva Commons:  Geneva, Illinois

Looking at these clothes makes one think of summer and being successful.  The window is successful too.  It makes viewers stop and stare and the sky background is sure to make everyone sigh.  Each outfit on the mannequin is unique.  The clothes are in a sense black and white, but they each have their own little twist whether its the brown handbag, the orange scarf, or the tie dye leggings.  Just the clothes alone can make a huge difference in windows and for the Gap, these mannequins are spot on.  The signage is big and bold enough to where people from across the street could see it.  Overall the proportions are accurate and the window is symmetrical.  All of the small details of the window help to unify the window to make it successful and to get viewers to take a look inside.

I Want You: To Buy These Shoes

The Walking Company:  Geneva Commons, Geneva, Illinois

This small window has a big message behind it.  Poster behind the display is of a women pointing at the viewers.  It reminded me of that Uncle Sam "I Want You" poster.  The poster is at eye level and due to the levels in the display, there is an even flow from the poster all the way down to the lowest level of shoes.  As the eye travels down the display, more and more shoes are added.  This helps to balance out the display and makes the display proportional to the window.  Although there is not a huge sign to attract viewers, there is a sign in the middle of the display stating that there is a 20% off sale.  This gets viewers immediately inside the store to see what kind of deals they can receive.  There is contrast between the yellow shoes and the striped boxes they sit upon.  Because the levels are yellow, they viewers would not have been able to see the yellow shoes so the striped boxes helps to make those shoes in particular stand out.  The message is simple.  The Walking Company wants you to buy their shoes.

 

Eyelet the Sign Teach the Lesson

Loft:  Geneva Commons, Geneva, Illinois

Walking past the store the first thing I noticed was the sign.  The little detailed letters and the way it is presented makes everyone stop, stare, and ask questions like how did they do that?  It also makes you read the subheading too.  Both signs are at eyelevel and are easy to read.  There is little merchandise in the window, put the way it is presented is key.  Both of the mannequins are wearing eyelet tops which goes with the eyelet theme and the picture in the background.  The mannequins balance each other out.  The mannequin on the floor is wearing black on the bottom and white on the top while the mannequin on the box is wearing the colors opposite of the other mannequin.  The mannequins being at different levels also plays a major part in the window.  The view first looks at the sign, then the mannequin behind the sign, then the eye goes to the right and up from there.  This gives the window an smooth flow and the eye evidently looks at all of the merchandise making viewers want to go in and shop.  This makes the window objective immediate action.  All in all, the window portrays perfect unity and has a clear lesson for viewers.  

From the Hanger to the Street

Maurices:  Wheaton, Illinois

This display has it all:  Signage, merchandise, and a picture.  Their current campaign is Street Style and it is clearly stated through the sign.  The window is proportional due to the mannequins dressed from head to toe and the window uses levels to fill out the entire window.  The levels also help with the flow of the display making the eyes travel from one level to the other.  There is a contrast between the clothing and the wooden levels the mannequins and merchandise are on.  The wooden levels help to emphasis the merchandise and bring out the bright colors of spring.  Overall the window has perfect unity with the harmony of proportion and emphasis in the window.  The street style window is immediate action and it is telling the customers that these are the trendy clothes you will see on the street today.  This will get the viewers to stop and look in the store to see if they not only like the trend, but to go inside and buy the new trends.

Dress of the Week

Dress Barn:  Wheaton, Illinois

This window display is simple but effective.  The window looks like a postcard.  The dress is in the middle while the signage frames the dress.  Every week a new dress is put in this window showcasing what is new in the store and makes customers go inside to see not only this dress, but other clothing items as well.  This makes the window immediate action.  The emphasis of this window display is the dress and because of the bright colors of the dress and the white background, it is able to stand out.  This window does an excellent job of not only catching customers attention, but actually getting customers in the store

Casual Style

Gigi Bottega:  Downtown Bloomington, Bloomington, Illinois

This display is has a monochromatic color scheme of blues.  Just looking at this display makes the viewer calm and relaxed.  It is a simple asymmetrical display that flows evenly from left to right.  Because the clothed mannequins are the only objects in the display, it is proportional to the rest of the window.  They are all the same size and they are all wearing clothes that fit them properly.  The display has the mannequins dressed in different styles and outfits to show viewers that they have the perfect outfit for every girl.  Even though this display is very simple, it has all of the elements needed to make a wonderful and eye catching display.

Pint Size

ModKid:  Downtown Bloomington, Bloomington, Illinois

This display is very cute and fun for little girls.  All of the clothes in the display are bight and vibrant color perfect for spring and Easter.  The mannequins are on different levels, like a wave pattern, so the viewers eyes flow from left to right and are able to look at all of the dresses.  The string of white lights in the background help to hide what is in the studio and also helps to emphasize the cute little dresses in the display.  Because of the wave like levels, there is an equal balance from one side of the display to the other.  It is a symmetrical window.  The middle of the window is the blue and green dress and there are an equal amount of mannequins on either side.  This display is truly effective and would make any little girl want to wear the outfits displayed.

11 First Dates

Churchill's Formal Wear:  Downtown Bloomington; Bloomington, Illinois

This display was inside the store in the back corner, but all of the different vibrant colors caught my eye as would any viewer's.  This display uses levels to covey their image.  The light colors are on the bottom and as the viewer's eye goes up, the colors become darker.  All of the mannequins are the same size making the display very balanced and repetitive.  The display is asymmetrical and gives the eyes a path to follow up to the tallest mannequin.  The viewer's eyes start at the bottom then move from left to right as they go up.  It is an effortless and smooth transition from one level to the next.  This display is effective because of the effortless movement of the viewer's eyes and the different levels of the mannequins which are used to make that smooth transition from one mannequin to the next.

Winter Knits

Crossroads:  Fair trade Shop; Downtown Bloomington; Bloomington, Illinois

This window has a lot of merchandise in it, but it is proportional.  The merchandise is through out the entire window so not one area is empty.  When a viewer walks by they will notice all of the merchandise in the window, but what really stands out are the red gloves and the sign next to it that states all winter knits are on sale.  The emphasis is on those winter knits, but because they are so small, the window needed bigger merchandise.  The wind chimes in the back are a lot bigger then the gloves, but looks right together due their placement.  The viewers eyes flow from the middle of the display to the top where the wind chimes are located and the around the window so the viewer is able to see all of the merchandise.  This window's main objective is immediate action due to all of the merchandise in the display and the sign in the center stating the sale.  It is an effective display to those passing by and because of the winter knits sign, more viewers will go into the store to see what winter knits the store has.

The Little Red Sign

Earthbound Trading Company:  Eastland Mall, Bloomington, Illinois

This display has a lot going on, but it definitely works.  The Earthbound Trading Company is a store that sells many different products, and viewers can tell through this display.  This window is displaying the immediate action objective due to the amount of merchandise they have in their display.  Even though there is a lot of merchandise in the display, the window looks balance.  There is an equal amount of merchandise in every part of the window.  When a viewer walks by, their eyes will immediate look at the picture in the center and then work their way around the display to look at everything.  This helps to get them in the store to see what other kinds of merchandise they have.  In the center of the display their is a little red sign right at eye level saying there is a sale.  The small sign helps with the proportions and levels of the window.  Viewers will be looking around the window and when they see that small red sign, they will immediately want to go inside.  Also, because of the small sign, the Earthbound Trading Company was able to put more merchandise in the window and lure more consumers in.  This little red sign just sweetened the deal and made this display extremely effective.

Endless Shoes

Foot Locker:  Eastland Mall, Bloomington, Illinois

This display is incredibly unique.  Although there is no signage, the way they displayed the shoes is creative and fun.  There are an equal amount of shoes in each row, making the window symmetrical.  The whole display itself is the focal point.  It makes viewers stop and stare, not only to see how they put the display together, but to also look at the different shoes they have.  There is repetition in this display due to the rows of shoes and it makes the viewer look from left to right at every single shoe.  The display is well lite making it easy to see the different styles.  The shoes look like they are floating or balancing on a platform, which helps to draw the attention of viewers.  This display is extremely creative and makes viewers want to go inside to find that one shoe they saw in the display.

Multiple Colors, Multiple Styles

The Limited:  Eastland Mall, Bloomington, Illinois

In this display, not only do they have many of the principles of design, but they also have a lot of elements to make this display successful.  This window has six different mannequins in different positions wearing different outfits.  Although each outfit is different they all come together with the similar colors they are wearing.  Although the signage is small, it talks about they sale which they have at the current moment.  There are also different levels in the display and the higher the level the less color the mannequin is wearing.  On the floor, the mannequins are wearing three different colors, and at the highest level the mannequin is in all white.  This helps balance out the display and puts the focal point on all of the mannequins.  This window displays immediate action because they are showing off all of the different ways to pair their clothes together and they have the signage with the sale at eye level.  This is a simple, but effective window.

Valentine's Day

Express:  Eastland Mall, Bloomington, Illinois

This window might be small, but it's effective.  They have a picture, mannequins and signage.  Express is asking women viewers, "What's Your Desire?"  Which is perfect for Valentine's Day.  Their mannequins are dressed in either a shirt or a dress showing off their legs and emphasizing the way they're standing.  Express is trying to show their female consumers that if you wear our merchandise, you will feel confident and sexy with the hope to get them in their store to shop.  The window is asymmetrical so it is easier to read the verbiage that is in the middle.  The verbiage is also at eye level so it is easier for the women viewers too see and read.  Express's main goal is to get women viewers in the store so they can find that perfect outfit for Valentine's Day.

Dreaming of Jeans

Gap:  Eastland Mall, Bloomington, Illinois

Have you been dreaming about pants this week?  Well that's what Gap wants you to do.  Their display window has signage, and merchandise.  It also is trying to get the viewers attention.  Gap is telling their consumers, "no matter who you are or what your style is, we have the jeans you've been dreaming of."  The three mannequins are dressed in three different styles of jeans and they have even more styles hanging on the left side of the window.  The pictures in the background help the viewer to imagine being in a grassy field with a blue sky and not a cloud in sight, that's a lot nicer looking then grey skies and snow everywhere.  This window transports the viewer to summer and gets them in their store to buy their merchandise.

Stepping Into The Window

Bath & Body Works:  Eastland Mall, Bloomington, Illinois

Looking at this picture, it looks like just another window display.  Except it's not.  This is a picture inside the store!  With the door less entryway, it looks like you have to step into a display window to get inside the store.  Bath & Body Works is obviously having a sale.  With big signage saying "Sale" and "New" why wouldn't a consumer want to go in.  Their merchandise is all at eye level so it is impossible to avoid the bright colors and signs.  Bath & Body Works is with no doubt using the immediate action objective to get consumers in the store to shop.  Looking in the store, it is very bright so consumers not only see merchandise from outside of the store, but as they are shopping they can see anything and everything they want to purchase.  This goes to show that not all stores have to have a window display to get consumers into the store to shop.

Show me all your pants

American Eagle:  Eastland Mall, Bloomington, Illinois

From the look of this window, viewers would ask themselves what is the theme?  What are they trying to sell?  It is not until they read the sign at the upper left hand corner that viewers figure out that American Eagle is promoting their pants.  The mannequins display all of the different styles of pants American Eagle has to offer.  Even in the picture that is located in the middle of the display, the first thing the viewer notices are the model's black pants.  The mannequins also show that these pants can be worn with many different outfits and styles.  American Eagle is telling viewers through their display that they have the pants for them and they should come into the store to look at them and possibly buy them.

Buckle Up

Buckle:  Eastland Mall, Bloomington, Illinois

This widow's target market are male consumers.  Buckle wants men to walk by this window and see all of the different kinds of merchandise that their store has to offer.  Not only do they have mannequins, but they also have a small table display filled with even more items for purchase.  This window has consumer's eyes looking at the entire display.  From the picture near the top of the display to the table near the bottom, consumers look up and down and notice all of the different items that are available for purchase.  They want them to see it all.  This window display's main objective is immediate action, because they have laid out of their merchandise in the window and want male consumers to go in the store right away.  

Aéro Will Always Love You

Aéropostale:  Eastland Mall; Bloomington, Illinois

Walking through the Mall, this window definitely caught my eye.  Not only is it huge, but they use a lot of elements in the display.  The window display is very balanced there are an equal amount of mannequins dressed in clothes for males and females.  Their signage is in the middle of the window making viewers stand a little longer to read it.  They have their mannequins at different levels making the viewers eyes do the wave from left to right so you see the whole window and possibly their merchandise inside.  The eyes of the viewer also go straight to the hot pink sign at the bottom letting them know that there is a sale going on.  This hot pink sign is the focal point.  The mannequins and the Aéro Loves Me sign are all in place to make sure viewers see that the store is having a sale.  This window does a really good job of getting viewers to look at their whole window and get them through the doors to buy something.

I've Been Charmed

 Charmed Boutique:  Pontiac, Illinois 

This store window looked so cool from both the inside and the outside that I went inside and got a picture.  The store window is very symmetrical.  The two mannequins in the middle are wearing dresses and the two mannequins on the far left and right are both wearing shirts and pants, which shows viewers that the store carries all different kinds of merchandise.  The mannequins are wearing merchandise perfect for valentines day, and the other props for the window are geared more towards the spring season.  The window makes viewers look at all the corners of the window because of the four different outfits and all of the props.  The Charmed Boutique window is very inviting and made me literally go inside to see what I could buy. 

Find Your Path to Confidence

Maurices:  Edwardsville, Illinois

This window is truly inspiring.  They use not only mannequins and pictures in their display, but signage as well.  Their main phrase "Find Your Path" is saying with the help of Maurices, customers can be who they are and can make their own choices.  On the left they show a skinner model, but on the right they show a plus size model showing that they have something for everyone. This window makes their viewers feel good inside and make them want to go in the store to find an outfit that will make them feel confident.  It is also telling their viewers to find their path and that path can start by walking in the door.  

Do You Want to Build a Popcornman?

Chef's Shoppe:  Edwardsville Illinois

Over the weekend I went down to Edwardsville, Illinois to visit my sister.  She and I went around the town and when I saw this shop I just had to blog about it.  Just by looking at the window, you can tell that it is a gourmet shop.  From the popcorn stuffed snowmen to the bags of popcorn around them, this store makes their viewers want to come in and eat some popcorn.  The boxes the popcorn stuffed snowmen are sitting have valentines day inspired coverings.  This display is getting ready for the valentines day season and what better gift is there than popcorn?  This window is warm, inviting, and makes you crave for more.  

Walking In An Unfinished Wonderland

The Garlic Press:  Uptown Normal

This window is one of the more simple windows I saw on my walk around the town.  It is just a pink apron, two Christmas trees and a snowy back drop.  I definitely noticed this window, but not in a good way.  It needs some more stuff in it.  Maybe more trees or some of their merchandise, but it is lacking the amazing factor.  This unfinished window made me stop and look at it, but instead of the wow this window is amazing it was a wow this window needs work.  This window is a good example of how not to do a display.

Two Windows One World

The Pod:  Uptown Normal

I took the picture of the store windows this way so it looks like one giant window.  Plus I love the way that the two windows have the same ideas and color schemes, which makes it look like one giant window.  The bright matted colors around the window draw the viewer in and look at the windows.  The display windows use dark winter colors, fitting the season.  I love how they have two fabric panels in the back of the display.  It sort of hides what's inside the store, except there is a break between the two panels.  This break gives the viewer a glimpse into what the store has to offer.  It really helps to draw the viewer in and wonder what is inside The Pod.

Accessorize Yourself

Uptown Gifts & Accessories:  Uptown Normal

This cute little store is all about accessorizing.  From bags to scarves to wine bottles for the home this store has it all, and that's just from the window.  This display window, although hard to see due to the glare, has something for everyone.  They show off their merchandise to the people passing by and they even have their slogan on the window.  Although there are a lot of items displayed in their window it doesn't look cluttered.  They display around their slogan and show off enough items to get people to come into their store.  This window was definitely successful. 

Baby it's Cold Outside

Apricot Lane:  Uptown Normal

This was one of the many different windows that Apricot Lane had, but I though this one was the best.  Just looking at the window warmed me up on this cold day.  Not only do the clothes look beautiful and comfortable, but the way the snowflakes are laid out makes you want to take a really good look at the window, just to make sure you didn't miss anything.  The dark browns and rich patterns in the clothing help give the window emphasis as well as really showcase what is the style of the season.  This particular window really made me want to go into the store to see what else they had.