FOR HOW Exhibition

  • FoR the future.

    Retail is evolving. Online shopping is now a tailored experience unique to each individual, constructed from countless data sources monitoring a customer’s habits, experiences, and patterns. To remain relevant, traditional retail environments must now offer visitors something exclusive to our physical world. Successful retailers are shifting focus away from simple transactions, and instead using their spaces to create experiences. Whether this helps customers align with an aspirational lifestyle, satisfies a need for physical interaction, or simply promotes positive memories, an experiential approach is essential to retail’s evolution. With the Future of Retail, we will combine the strengths of both of these mediums. Using customer data, our store will physically transform and adapt to create the ideal personalized shopping experience.

  • FoR the adventure.

    While the principles of the Future of Retail will be universally applicable, we decided that the foundation of our first display should be the darling retail industry of our hometown of Boone, NC: outdoor gear. From activewear, to camping equipment, to pet accessories, the Future of Retail will introduce designs from a number of students at Appalachian State’s Department of Applied Design.

  • FoR you.

    Utilizing a growing body of scientific research, we will formulate a method by which a retail space can be rapidly adapted to a specific consumer. Our working prototype will make use of a simple survey, from which we can analyze basic data about demographic, mood, and identity. This information, which could eventually be replaced with such complex data networks as those created by Google, will allow us to transform the displays, lighting, and even the space itself in order to achieve the best possible shopping experience.

Michael Rall

Assistant Professor
Industrial Design

Anthony Wilson

Assistant Professor
Apparel Design & Merchandising

Alex Hardison


Industrial Design

Rachel Stevens


Apparel Design & Merchandising

Keegan Moran


Industrial Design

Michael Nelson


Industrial Design

Lindsay Everhart


Industrial Design

Tanner Schulz


Industrial Design

Lauren Fall


Apparel Design & Merchandising

Angie Nardini


Apparel Design & Merchandising