Diva doesn’t like to brag—oh, who does she think she’s kidding, she kind of does! But only when she feels strongly about something…and this time she is super proud of her new look! What do you think? Diva was feeling a bit outdated and wanted to liven things up with a fresh appearance. She hopes you dig her new style, complete with more color, a fun design and plenty of visuals. The post of the day will still be featured at the top, but just an excerpt to whet your appetite. If you like what you’re reading, then click the button to “Continue reading” at the bottom of the excerpt for the full post. Continue reading →

Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a one-stop resource for jobs in architecture and design? And wouldn’t it be great if the top brands posted jobs on this resource, and also included career news and tips?

Yeah, we thought so, too.

And that’s why we’re thrilled to announce the start of Arch + Design Job Market, a career resource for architecture and design professionals. Powered by Adicio and launched by Nielsen Expositions Design Group, Arch + Design features more than 5,000 jobs and an audience of more than 100,000 professionals.

Not a bad way to kick off a job site, eh? Continue reading →

We’re obsessed with the Brits. Have you noticed? Since announcing that their wedding will take place on April 29, 2011, Prince William and Kate Middleton have become all the rage – everywhere.

From minute-by-minute coverage on television shows like "Entertainment Tonight" (which I only watch for research purposes, of course) to its own website, the royal wedding is hot, hot, hot.

And did you think retail would miss out on this obsession? Absolutely not. Any opportunity to tie the royal wedding into promotions, advertising and sales is fair game. Take for example, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. Reportedly, Kate Middleton (Wait – are we supposed to call her Katherine now? Continue reading →

I need to buy a gift. A tea set to be more precise. It’s for an upcoming gift exchange party (on Tuesday, to be exact). But, with one holiday party after another, cards to send and events to attend, I’ve waited far too long and even Amazon can’t help me now. (And when Amazon can’t help, you know you’re in trouble.).

So last night, I went on the prowl to three different retailers in search of a tea gift set: Borders, Peets Coffee & Sur La Table. I struck out at all three, although Sur La Table had a tea set, but it would cost roughly the price of my firstborn. Continue reading →

I am one to often take note and observe my surroundings, especially in a retail environment. How product is shelved, where signage is hung and how mannequins are poised–all are as relevant to a retail design eye as where the deals and steals are. (Diva is quite the mystery shopper.) Fixturing, oftentimes, goes unnoticed to the untrained shopper's eye, as a successful fixturing unit often does what it is supposed to do best–showcase the product. Some do it exceptionally well and some (as I'm sure we have all noticed from time to time) do not.

My observations and opinions on the fixturing front are one thing, but observing others’ opinions–especially the opinion of those whose careers have followed the fixture industry's ever-changing trends and goings on–are particularly of interest to me. Continue reading →