Sleek Like is a new venue in Berlin that provides forward-thinking pairing of print and experimental music.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Duration:
Project Focus:
14 weeks project 2022 Summer
Spatial Experience
Storytelling
Cultural Understanding
Interior Design
Modeling Making
Skill:
DESIGN BACKGROUND
During the summer of 2022, I participated in ArtCenter's study abroad program "Soundspace" in Berlin. The program focused on spatial design, exploring the intersection of digital music and tangible, interactive spaces.
Through the experiences, I gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the city's vibrant music scene and culture.
INITIATION
CULTURE
Berlin is about music and print. “Music” is Berlin's voice, and “Print” is Berlin's language.
Print in Berlin
Berlin is about print and publication. You will find analog print everywhere from wheat pasted posters to unique bookstore.
Music in Berlin
Berlin is also about experimental music. It hots many cutting edge musicians who are playing in unexpected venues throughout the city.
Move your mouse over the image to play the video demo.
(Live experimental music performance by Violinist Rakhi Singh with 4DSOUND installation at MONOM 06.11.22)
DESIGN BREIF
Goal
As a product designer exploring spatial design, I created an interactive shopping environment where visitors can explore, discover, and learn.
BRAINSTORMING
What's more for Berliner?
I gathered all of the zines, magazines, and newspapers collected in Berlin and used analog methods to analyze Berlin's culture and brainstorm opportunities for design.
DISCOVERY
At Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus, Berlin's largest bookstore, you can discover both the music venue and book sections in the same location.
ADDRESS: Friedrichstraße 90, 10117 Berlin, Germany
DESIGN CONCEPT
WHAT IF?
Design a new venue that combined the interests of both music and book enthusiasts, who are always looking for new and innovative experiences.
Sleek - Berlin Publisher
Experimental Music
By partnering with Sleek, a forward-thinking Berlin local magazine publisher, and highlighting Berlin local musicians’ experimental music, the store creates a unique and innovative experience.
LOCATION
Potsdamer Str. 98 is situated in the central part of Berlin's Schöneberg neighborhood, with a vibrant arts and culture scene, offering a great opportunity for a venue store, with a prime location in a bustling neighborhood and a supportive arts community.
“SLEEK LIKE” LOCATION:
DESIGN PROCESS
FLOOR PLAN
The site for my project is currently unused and closed off. During my visit to the location, I took photographs of the floor plan from the outside window, used my phone app to measure the distance, and sketched out a blueprint as a guide for my later interior design.
measuring and taking notes at the site.
CREATE BLUEPRINT
The site for my project is currently unused and closed off. I personally visited the location, where I measured the floor plan and sketched a blueprint to serve as a guide for my later interior design.
Floor Plan Design Journey
DESIGN CONCEPT
Inspired by music notes, I design “Sleek” as a youthful, minimal, stylish vibe where consumers can immerse themselves in an engaging atmosphere for reading, listening, socializing, and relaxation.
MOOD
3D MODELING
After finalizing the store blueprint and user scenarios, I utilized photo bashing and quick rendering techniques to visualize the interior. This approach enabled me to comprehend consumer behavior flow and fine-tune the details.
From 2D into 3D
PHYSICAL MODEL MAKING
To visualize the space, I created a 1/4 scale model to present Sleek Like's concept. I used acrylic board, pine wood, and MDF board to construct the model, and added final touches using acrylic paint for added detail.
VISUALIZATION
WALK THROUGH
The Sleek Like store functions as a system, providing visitors with carefully curated products such as publications, music, and art, all of which are selected to deliver an immersive experience rather than simply facilitate a purchase.
Music by:
Dopplereffekt
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A berlin-based record label, Berghain residency, and nomadic party-starter
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Neurotelepathy_experimental & electronic 2022
Entrance Lobby
When people enter the space, they will see the LED panel screen on the left that displays each month's recommended local experimental music venue by Sleek Like.
Service Desk
At the service desk, visitors can borrow headphones to enter the “Sleek Experience” and purchase our store publications.
Sleek Experience
After checking in, visitors can walk into the Sleek Experience. Each experience will feature one of the recommended experimental music selections for the month, as well as publications that are paired with the music for visitors to enjoy.
Be creative! You also can combining essential oils with different diffusers, to create your personal unique and artful diffuser at home.
Reading & Shopping Zone
Here, visitors can find each month's publication, as well as all the recommended books, magazines, and posters they have seen in the Sleek Experience.
Customers have the flexibility to mix and match different products from the collection, allowing them to showcase.
Café
Going up the stairs from the shopping zone, visitors will find the cafeteria, where they can enjoy a nice espresso or tea with some pastries.
Lounge
Visitors can take in a nice view of the entire store, while also enjoying a lovely nature view of the small garden from the back window. At times, the lounge may even host live experimental music performances or author reading events.
KEY CONTRIBUTIONS
Why?
Sleek Like is more than just a new venue store for purchasing products, but rather a destination for people who are seeking a unique platform:
To elevate local experimental music
To foster an engaged and creative community
To preserve and renovate print culture
At Sleek Like