We’ve had the conversation about why having a designer is important to your retail fitout, but I didn’t go into how to choose the best designer for your business. Firstly, don’t forget that having a designer is essential to saving you money in the long run. There’s no magical trickery going on, it’s just that the clever designers know how to manipulate a budget to make it count. They’ll save you money on making the wrong choices or buying the wrong things and will guide you as to whe
re’s best to spend your hard earned cash. Their secret is that they have an impressive black book of contacts which equals trade discounts that can knock your socks off.
Anyhow, enough of that. The first rule of thumb, is to think twice before choosing a designer leading with the cheap foot first. There is a fine balance between cost effectiveness and a talented design which will add value to your property and stand the test of time. Astute designers will be value engineering every step of the way, maximizing on productivity and profitability per square metre.
A good egg versus a bad egg is sometimes a tough one to ascertain. How do you actually know?
The first thing a good designer will do is listen. They’ll uncover the layers of your business and dig deeper into your customers and their journey. They will understand your objectives and devise a way to achieve these. They will have the expertise to turn your vision into 3D reality but won’t be afraid to let you know what will and won’t work.
A crafty designer will make sure every nook and cranny has a purpose and will want to follow the entire process and be up for creating measurable goals. Oh, and a good designer will make a space look good – an exceptional designer will make your space work (to its best ability).
Make sure you do your homework. Ask the designer what is important to them in terms of design and how this might affect your space. Does it match up with what is important to you and your business? Ask to speak to a couple of their past clients – they should be able to cough up at least three happy clients. Oh, and definitely ask to see their portfolio. A picture speaks a thousand words.
A retail fitout requires a qualification. If you’re after colour, cushions, and decorating advice, then employ a decorator who has done colour or fabric courses. If their first question is “what is your budget?” then show them the door. While budget is important, it’s not the only element. A good designer should want to know who uses the space and how they use it.
Scrutinise their portfolio and check for versatility in their design. If it’s looking same, same but different, you should be asking why. Also, you’ll get better value if you choose a designer who has the expertise and capacity to get involved in the construction or pricing process.
So there you have it. There are plenty more things to look out for and I could talk hours on this subject but the above should get you started in the right direction.
Lizzi Hines is MD of Spaceworks. For more information, phone 0800 2 FIT OUT, or visit www.spaceworks.co.nz