New Product Design & Development Showcase
One of the key aims of Design Network North is to showcase the best design talent in the North East. Whether it is a service, finished product design or component, we would like to compile a portfolio of work carried out by the region's companies and design suppliers.
New product design and development can often be a key area for any business and hopefully this portfolio will inspire upcoming product designers to get involved in the design industry.
To join the network and add some examples of your work to our design showcase by downloading the form and returning it to enquiries@designnetworknorth.org.
Neil Wilson Design - The Grocery
Neil Wilson of Neil Wilson Design (NWD) worked with local greengrocer, Muhammad Shabir, who was struggling due to the supermarket Somerfield opening next door and taking away his trade on Chillingham Road, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Challenge
Together they looked around Somerfield and noted how the lighting, layout and design were set out to make shopping easy and appealing.
Solution
NWD redesigned and re-branded the store. The fruit and vegetables now remain in situ, easily accessible at the front of the shop, and are protected at night by a pull down perforated roller shutter. This saved Mohammed 1.5 hours twice a day stacking and later removing his produce on the pavement outside his store. Somerfield was also selling similar products at cheaper prices, so Neil suggested he offer his customers a point of difference by specialising in up-market, speciality foods in a uniquely designed interior.
Impact
Re-branding ‘The Grocery’ tripled the local greengrocer’s profits overnight. The new store branding and interior design has been well received by all those who have seen or experienced it, and it stands out on the high street as an example of real design success.
"The Grocery’ really proved the real value of design in an ordinary suburb high street. As a consequence of rationalising the store brand this dying breed of genuine local shop keeper managed to contend with a large supermarket chain and with the help of NWD he won.”
Neil Wilson - Owner/Managing Director, Neil Wilson Design.
Project part financed by the European Union European Regional Development Fund 2007 - 13
