DDi - September 2009 - (Page 32)

32 | AWARDS 2009 Callison First Place W ith offices in Seattle, Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City and Shanghai, architecture and design firm Callison wields an impressive repertoire of retail design projects across the globe. This past June, the Seattle-based firm’s reach grew even larger after joining forces with Dallas-based RYA Design Consultancy to form the new Callison RYA Studio. With a diverse group of clients across markets and segments, Callison continues to be a leading force in the industry, drawing much of its inspiration from its vast array of international projects. “Often, we will find something in one industry could translate into another,” says Paula Stafford, executive vice president, Callison. “And as a leader in retail design, we get to be involved in trends as they are happening, and cross-pollinate and transfer them across conventional boundaries.” An impressive aspect of Callison’s expertise is the firm’s ability to translate international brands to local markets. An example of this expertise, and perhaps one of Callison’s most influential retail design projects this year, is Callison’s work with Harvey Nichols Jakarta, a masterpiece that blends innovative visual merchandising with locally crafted design elements. The firm’s other key projects this year include such heavyweights as Hugo Boss in New York’s Meatpacking District, Victoria’s Secret Manhattan and the new T-Mobile Playground concept. This past year, the firm’s design thinking has been impacted by the turbulent economic climate, evolving into an even more holistic approach. “We have re-doubled our long-held focus on maintaining a clear understanding of our clients’ business objectives and challenges,” Stafford points out. “Particularly in a weak economy, design aesthetic is only one part of the strategy. The heart of our business involves fostering partnerships with our clients, understanding their business and growth strategy, and delivering the results that help them to find and enter new markets successfully.” Moving forward, Callison plans to tackle projects head on and is excited about the potential growth in the Chinese and Middle Eastern markets. The firm has started some interesting work with standout brands that it expects to turn into long-term relationships as they grow across borders—such as Nike and Best Buy in China, Landmark and Cole Haan in the Middle East, and Hollister in Europe. As Stafford puts it: “2010 is not about survival, it’s about thriving and stepping up our presence in the global marketplace.” —JESSIE BOVE, MANAGING EDITOR | September 2009 Photo: Callison/Chris Eden Design Firms of the Year

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of DDi - September 2009

Display & Design Ideas - September 2009
Contents
From the Editor
Newsworthy
Greentailing
Editor’s Choice
Portfolio Awards 2009
Retail Design Luminaries
Retail Design Influencers
Design Firms of the Year
Best Visual Merchandising Programs
Retailer of the Year
Best-Designed Stores of the Year
Best-Designed Hospitality
Retail Standouts
Calendar
Advertisers
Classifieds
Shopping with Paco

DDi - September 2009