FFForward

Rethinking the role of branding in social and spatial development, a recent collaboration with innovation agency FFForward and branding agency Reflektor on an urban development project in the city of Milan. When working with real-estate developers, the neighbourhood hasn’t formed yet and the needs of citizens aren’t yet fully understood. There’s an opportunity to pre-design as the construction design is ongoing. Building neighbourhoods alongside physical infrastructure. Further reading on Medium here: https://lnkd.in/dcZNtTT7 #urbandevelopment #branding #citizencentric

FFForward is a remote-first organization, but throughout the year, I often get the chance to meet my colleagues in person—sometimes for work, and sometimes just to enjoy their company. While we believe in the power of remote work, we also recognize the value of physical proximity and spending time together without worrying about an agenda or project deadlines. This is why our annual meet-ups are so important. They represent a chance for the whole team to gather in an interesting location, spark serendipitous conversations, get to know each other on a deeper level, and, most importantly, have some fun. Every time, the energy from these short yet intense gatherings leaves me feeling recharged and grateful to be part of this unbelievable collective. A big "dziękuję" to everyone who was in Krakow last week-end and made this possible Dagmara Siemieniec, Rio Leipold, Giorgio Campo, Laura Polazzi, Ale Crova, Attila Veress, as well as those who couldn’t be there in person but were with us in spirit. See you next year in ... [TO BE CONTINUED]

Empera's Brand New Experience Center: The added value of Customer Centricity and Service Design in retail. YT+P and FFForward joined forces on the Empera Skyland project, bringing to life an innovative format for a new experience center. Our objective was to elevate the user experience across every aspect of the space. This was achieved through a meticulous service design approach, with a strong focus on customer-centricity. This led to the definition of a completely new experience, one that focuses on establishing valuable connections with customers while supporting them in crafting their unique journeys when interacting with Empera’s brand. Service Design was critical to the success of the project, as the output generated by FFForward throughout this workstream informed and guided the architectural concept studies in real time. From pathways in the store to experiential touchpoints, to essential functions to be integrated into the space. Empathy for the customer and placing them at the heart of our project were crucial in designing both the store and its services to be memorable and functional at the same time. During the Design Research phase, we conducted in-depth 1:1 qualitative interviews to delve into the needs and expectations of existing and prospect customers. Based on the insights gathered through these interviews, we refined our designs and tested ideas through various iterations. What we recognized early on is that the predominance of online shopping, even in the furniture sector, has made physical products seem ordinary in the eyes of the customer. Starting from this insight, we decided to focus on establishing a strong bond between the product and the user from the very beginning of their experience. It is vital for customers to engage with Empera’s products by touching and feeling them, by taking the time to appreciate their quality, by thinking about these products in their personal spaces. Empera carpets, sample materials, as well as digital solutions were thoughtfully integrated in a hybrid manner to strengthen this connection. In addition to user research, we conducted trend analyses and extensive benchmarking studies of global brands and markets. These efforts, combined with user insights, led to the development of the Passion Hub and the Idea Selection areas. These spaces not only deliver a user experience aligned with what visitors need and expect when buying new furniture for their homes, but they also help Empera establish itself as a modern, competitive, and experiential brand in some of the most competitive markets in the world. Service Design Team: Ece Özdil - Nesile Yalçın YT+P Design Team: Yalin Tan - Mehmet Macid Aksu - Vural Armutcuoglu - Çağlar Lampir - Büşra Yiğit - Hasan Oğuzhan Bektaş - Mustafa Kılıç YT+P Project Team: Eren Ozguven - İrem Ecem Kirazlı - Cansu Koca Lighting Design: ONOFF Lighting Design & Consultancy

Empera Skyland Experience: Redefining the Shopping Journey We are proud to share our new project with you.. Empera Skyland Experience transforms Empera ‘s customer relationship into an entire choreographed shopping experience, seamlessly blending the physical store with the digital world. This collaborative effort with FFForward and YALIN TAN + PARTNERS highlights the value of service design in translating needs into a captivating physical space. The concept transcends a single space, approaching "experience center" as a dynamic function. Visitors embark on a seamless journey, starting with a captivating showcase and progressing through a transparent tunnel that ignites their curiosity. This transparency allows them to feel the rhythm of the experience even before entering, setting the stage for their personalized journey. The exhibition section boasts a curated design language that complements the showcased carpets. Furniture selections seamlessly integrate with stage areas, referencing potential living spaces. Warm tones and an intimate atmosphere replace sterile white spaces in the "idea selection area," where sample carpets are presented alongside complementary design elements like flooring, wall colors, and accessories. Finally, the "Passion Hub" serves as a vibrant space for hosting events. Defined by wooden textures, greenery, and comfortable seating areas adorned with carpets, this section fosters a warm and inviting atmosphere. The Empera Skyland Experience exemplifies the power of service design in crafting a truly immersive shopping experience. Photo Credit : Ibrahim Özbunar Lighting Design : ONOFF Lighting Design & Consultancy