Last week we took a couple hours out of the day to enjoy the sunshine that has blessed our typically rainy city. Here’s a peek at what we got up to while chilling on the patio at Lift.
August 17, 2010
July 7, 2010
SmartDesign Group featured in BC Business Magazine
Nick at Cibo Trattoria
Nick Baker, President & CEO of SmartDesign Group, was recently interviewed by Lucy Hyslop at BC Business Magazine. The article, which features a number of local firms, addresses the international demand for Vancouver designers. For the feature, Nick was shot by Vancouver photographer Lindsay Siu at Cibo Trattoria. Read the full article here.
June 29, 2010
The great Comic Sans debate and other font-related controversies
In the past, Comic Sans has been referred to as the life of the party. It’s fun and groovy. However, it’s quickly becoming evident that no self-respecting graphic designer will go near it.
June 22, 2010
Hilton Restaurant Group selects SmartDesign Group for hospitality design experience
SmartDesign Group has been selected by Hilton Restaurant Group to develop two new restaurant concepts for rollout at Hilton Family of Hotels locations around the world. Following a design firm review, SmartDesign Group was chosen for their international hospitality design experience and back-of-house expertise.
“Designing a successful restaurant goes much deeper than determining how it’s going to look. It’s about integrating front-of-house with back-of-house to create a seamless guest experience. With the right planning, you can cut operational costs and create efficiencies to achieve a greater return on your investment,” says Nick Baker, President & CEO of SmartDesign Group.
SmartDesign Group has begun work on the new concepts, with the first locations expected to open in the US and Europe.
June 15, 2010
New feature: Behind the Design
Stephanie Labrecque
We often say that millions of people eat, shop, work and play in spaces created by SmartDesign Group. If you’ve travelled, you’re likely to be one of those people. That’s because a lot of our design experience is focused on commercial spaces in airports. These spaces include restaurants, food courts, retail stores, and of course, duty-free stores.
In this new feature, I’ll be talking to SmartDesign Group designers about some of the spaces they’ve helped to create. Senior Project Designer, Stephanie Labrecque recently spoke to me about the development of the new AerRianta Duty Free store at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montreal, Canada.
May 17, 2010
Sourcing sustainability for Whole Foods Market
Now that renovations at Whole Foods Market on Cambie Street in Vancouver are complete, SmartDesign Group has been working as Design Consultant on a new store location in Bellevue, Washington. In keeping with the Whole Foods brand, Project Designer Carol Kelley has been putting her design experience to work on sourcing sustainable materials and finishes for the new store design. I asked her about some of the things she considers when selecting products. Here’s what she had to say.
April 1, 2010
SmartDesign Group dining concepts open at Sydney Airport
Last year, SmartDesign Group, working with SSP International, developed airport design concepts for five new food & beverage outlets at Sydney International Airport.Concepts include Seafood Bar by Caviar House & Prunier, Bambini Wine Room, Danks Street Depot, Trattoria Prego and Itacho Sushi. All locations have recently opened to great reviews and are a welcome addition to the Sydney Airport passenger experience. Read more.
March 16, 2010
SmartDesign Group puts design experience to work on Whole Foods – Part 2
As promised in our previous post, we’ve put together some more photos of recent work done at Whole Foods Market on Cambie Street in Vancouver. Have a look at the new Healthy Eating Centre before and after. Better yet, if you’re in the neighbourhood, why not go see it in person?
March 11, 2010
SmartDesign Group puts design experience to work on Whole Foods
If you live in Vancouver, you may have noticed a few changes going on at your local Whole Foods Market. The popular organic grocer approached SmartDesign Group about helping them urbanize the newest location on Cambie Street. (more…)
March 3, 2010
Nick Baker to speak about airport design at Passenger Terminal Expo 2010
Nick Baker, President and CEO at SmartDesign Group, has confirmed that he will be speaking at Passenger Terminal Expo 2010 in Brussels later this month. A specialist in airport design, masterplanning and retail development, Baker works with airports around the world helping them to build brand equity and maximize non-aeronautical revenues.
According to Nick Baker, “Rapid advances in communications and technology are making it easier for airports to enhance the overall passenger experience and create more value. I am delighted to be able to share my thoughts on how airports can capitalize on such opportunities.”
In addition to his presentation, Nick will also participate in a panel discussion on the functionality of airport design.
Passenger Terminal Expo is the most highly regarded airport terminal conference in the world with delegates ranging from managers and their teams to CEOs. The 3-day event addresses key issues affecting development and explores innovative business solutions through ideas exchange. Learn more .
