Concept - Constraints in design
Direction, execution & editing
Project Name 01
I am certain everyone reading this has heard of the term constraint. Relative to design a constraint is essentially the limiting of actions that can be carried out by users (in this case merchandisers) which narrows the possibility of user errors.
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Though overarching constraints shouldn't be considered a hindrance but more so a set of parameters that grant the design the allowances needed to reach as many people as possible.
In merchandising mannequins don't just show consumers how something looks when worn. At their best mannequins tell a story; how to wear a new trend, how to accessorize a new outfit, will this compliment something they already own? All of this is dependent on the mannequin. So naturally, which mannequin you choose is fairly important.
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Most current mannequins are relatively simple in design. Interlocking joints connect the extremities to the center of the mannequin or the torso. It is in there in which you find the constraints.
There are several companies that create mannequins and still more varying styles of mannequins and different components. They as a seller of a product want to reach as broad a customer base as possible. Being that their customers are brands, retail corporations, and various vendors it is in their best interest to apply a higher level of constraints to be accessible to such a diverse and expansive consumer pool.
In most cases the answer to the question, How? Is a trick question. We as the merchandisers/ creatives/ designers are always allowed to choose the best tool from our tool box to achieve our goal. But always from tools that have been provided. And there it is the merchandiser's dilemma; how do you continue to inspire customers daily, weekly, monthly if you are working with products that are designed to be very specific and static?
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Cue the inspirational call to action Ted Talk music. This is where the human aspect comes into play.
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By allowing the canvas to be stripped bare we as creative users are given the ability to bring more of our shared human experience to create dynamic mannequin presentations that move, speak, and inspire while remaining perfectly still.
