OUGD503 - John Lewis - OLD Concept -

After initial research, we came together briefly as a group and came up with a concept. However this first meeting was very short and brief and not all ideas were covered. During this meeting we reflected on John lewis's campaign qualities. Although we aren't making a campaign and are making a window design, it was interesting to see what was already a success for the brand. We admired their ability to communicate through narrative and wanted to reflect this within our window display. Following this and looking over research we had done separately, we liked how Maddie had looked at fairytales and children's book narrative. Due to it being a autumn window we thought a forest scene would be appropriate, playing on the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Developing on from this narrative we want to display a forest scene full of characters like a wolf, a little girl and others to be displayed showing using John Lewis products. Do this idea have a narrative though? Will consumers be able to know whats going on? Will they have a emotional connection to it? Or is it just a display of animals in a forest using products?

Also we thought of another aspect which could be expand the window display. Billie and Maddie came up with the idea of having paper origami handouts. These handouts would be postcards and put into peoples bags when they would buy something in store. This would be a template of a mini woodland house which costumers would be able to build at home. This could also expand to an online campaign as a hashtag could be made, making people post their results online to Twitter and Instagram. 

PROS

• Range of products used in the display - showing John Lewis' range and quality of products.
• Lots of detail, the window is engaging to look at
• New image for John Lewis? Quite a illustrative approach which is different to their clean and simple design. 
• Narrative element - makes the window display more relatable

CONS

• Too childish? Different form their sophisticated look
• The concept isn't strong enough - May look nice but the narrative aspect could get lost and may just look like a forest display not making it relatable to John Lewis
• The window is insight to the store - Only have a few seconds to look at the display whilst looking past. Is there too much too look at?

Reflecting on our concept to me it doesn't feel that strong. I think one of the problems is that we all actually need to come together as one group and discuss these ideas more. Because this has been based on two members of the group, it is hard to see what is working and isn't working. Critical feedback from all group members is needed. Also with this concept us graphic designers would feel we don't have much part in the production. 

I think we all need to have a big discussion about what works and doesn't work. In my opinion this concept does need to be developing.