Post Six: Checking Out

I come from a suburb (Monroe!), and for as long as I can remember, my peers have complained of its underdevelopment; "There's nothing to do in this town," they would say.  I like to consider this attitude in conjunction with the 

When I was in third grade, they built us a Wal*Mart on a road that went through a wooded area.  As of this weekend, there is a multi-leveled shopping commons consisting of several strips, twenty-something stores (about nine box), seven restaurants, a bank, and a dentist's office.  I find it absolutely fascinating -- terrifying yet impressive -- how quickly the woods were "developed" into stores -- I used to have to travel at least a half-hour to go to these stores.  I know it sounds stupid, but it blows my mind.  I watched that entire area transform from what it was into what it is.  I still haven't decided if its good or bad, but it really made me think.  

The latest addition is an Old Navy, whose subtleties of branding I hadn't before fully appreciated.  

This is the sign that greets you.  One of the signs that greets you.  I had never been to a Target before this one opened.  There's another party store on the other side of the plaza.  I had to go in the Old Navy (what kind of Monroeian would I be if didn't visit?!).  

This was quite possibly my favorite thing about the new store; it's a very neat display, and it completely appeals.  I appreciated the chromatic ordering of the shirts.  I bet the numbers on the fake scoreboard mean something.  I'd like to look into that.  

Gah this is so attractive.  I love these block letters and how they interact with the clothes behind and below them.  

This is what you see when you first walk into the store.  They're creepy, I know, but I like them.  They remind me of the Old Navy commercials, and I really appreciate the store's branding.  I like observing the image a company puts forth with its advertising; I think these mannequins are a pretty accurate exemplification of Old Navy's.  

This is just fabulous: so many of my favorite things.  Clean block lettering, chromatic ordering, expressive t-shirts, and intent shoppers.  I love this display more than that basketball one.  The other was adorable, but this is much more elegant -- even so, it still maintains the casual, jovial attitude put forth by Old Navy.  The displays made me think a lot.