Black Fiveday

Store: Aritzia | Location: Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL

Things have come full circle with my blog! Started off my first post about an Aritzia window display, and now I'm ending with my last post on another window by Aritzia! But I digress.. 

This window proved yet again that even the simplest concept/theme can still be very impactful. From far away, the silver parts that are hanging almost look like rain droplets (which I think is what they were going for?), so I was eager to get a closer look at the window. They definitely highlight the scale of this window and how large and proportionate it is. I will say though, the placement of the red Black Friday promotion confused me. I didn't like how some of them were covering the mannequins, and I also thought it was a bit repetitive to just plaster the same signs twice. I think two would've been fine and that way, they wouldn't have to cover the mannequins so much. I also think that having the branch lighting on only one side makes the window not as balanced or symmetrical. They should've added one to the other side! Overall though, this window to me was still really great and it showed that you don't always have to put out extravagant, flashy displays to draw people into your store. Simplicity is key is what I like to say!

Bright Lights

Store: H&M | Location: Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL

This window from H&M that I saw over Thanksgiving break was definitely not to be missed. I honestly think it had the brightest lights out of all the stores at Oakbrook. It was that bright! I loved the outfits on these mannequins! All of them were very cozy and loads of layers, which was perfect for this cold season! 

In terms of the design principles, this window was sort of all over the place for me. It definitely had emphasis to catch people's attention from all the bright lights, but my only issue was that the mannequins were blocking the huge graphic behind them, so it was a bit distracting not being able to see the picture in full view. I think if that portion was just gold like the rest of it is, this window would've definitely felt complete. I also just noticed that on the right side of the window, there is some wording that is very difficult to read. I definitely think there could've been something done about that, but regardless of everything I've just said, I still think this was a great window because it grabs your attention immediately, which I think is what H&M was aiming to do.

A Bird Filled Holiday

Store: Anthropologie | Location: Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL

When I went to Oakbrook Mall over Thanksgiving break, I couldn't wait to see what kind of window displays Anthropologie had because they always have really creative and fun windows. This window was no exception and did not disappoint my expectations. It's holiday themed without it being blatantly obvious. The two outfits compliment each other nicely and showcase the merchandise as well as who the Anthropologie customer is.  

This window definitely had a lot of emphasis and rhythm from the birdhouses and leaves arrangement. It's something that when you see it from far away, you want to get a closer look to see what it is. The differing mannequin heights, as well as how huge the bird houses and leaves arrangement are give the window proportion and depth, which ultimately unify this display.

A Pink Holiday

Store: Louis Vuitton | Location: Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL

I was immediately drawn to this Louis Vuitton window because of the bright pink/magenta color. I was kind of scared to get a closer picture of the window though because someone was sitting right by the cash register, so this was as good a shot as I was willing to get! But I loved this window because despite it being the holidays and going for traditional holiday colors like green and red, they went with a completely different color that has very little to do with the holidays! If you look closely though, the pink and gold ribbons form a present shape around the purse that is being displayed, so it's still holiday themed in that sense! Pretty creative! 

This window definitely has a lot of emphasis from the bright colors, and flows nicely because of the shape/pattern that the ribbons are placed in. I think since there really is no rhyme or reason to the placement of anything else in this window, there isn't much to say about it being proportioned or balanced. But for a pretty small window, they worked with what they had and were still able to present a successful, eye catching display.

Joy to the Cozy

Store: Loft | Location: Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL

This window was so fun! I loved the bright green and red gift boxes, as well as the snowy trees on both sides! I think this window did well in terms of the principles of design. The differing heights of the mannequins add some proportion, it's well balanced and flows nicely, and emphasis is put on the huge poster of sweaters that is in the middle of the window.  

What I didn't like about this display was the signage/wording. Just looking at this picture, you can barely even read the "Joy to the Cozy" wording. It actually took me awhile to figure out what it said just by zooming into the picture. I think it would've been better if they moved some of the wording on either sides of the windows where they have that blank space with just the bare wall showing.

Sky's the Limit

Store: Kate Spade | Location: Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL

I loved these windows from Kate Spade. They're both fairly simple, but still grab your attention for different reasons. The first window is eye catching because of the little circles backdrop and the second window is so clean and bright from the cream colored walls. I think both windows do an excellent job of showcasing what kind of customer shops at Kate Spade; a fun, yet elegant woman.  

Since both windows aren't that complex and don't have much in them other than mannequins and product, there isn't really much to judge them on in terms of the principles of design. Both have emphasis though in highlighting the products they are trying to sell. The first window's emphasis comes from the backdrop, while the minimal approach in the second window is what is being emphasized.

One Square Will Do the Trick

Store: Tommy Hilfiger | Location: Chicago Premium Outlets, Aurora, IL

This display from Tommy Hilfiger definitely caught my attention from far away because I couldn't tell what it was so I had to get closer to it in order to see what it was all about. I thought this was such a clever way to display as much merchandise as possible without it looking like it was overkill, or cluttered. It definitely helps that everything is neatly placed and folded a certain way. And even though this square filled with product, plus the Black Friday signage are the only things in the entire window, it still makes such a huge impact on the people passing by it. I think if they were to add more to the window, it would just distract from the original emphasis of the display, which is the square of merchandise. 

In terms of the principles of design, there isn't much to base anything off of, but I will say that it's definitely proportioned, balanced, and has rhythm from looking at al the different products that are being displayed.