A Tale of Two Retail Spaces

Module 3 ~ Architecture & Interior Design

Imaginative bridge between the work of art of Architecture & Interior Design and the work of art of Teaching…

My imaginary bridge this week was sparked by the uneasy confrontation I experienced while collecting pictures for our Architecture & Interior Design project.  I do understand that stores pay money to have people develop their displays, and I'm sure they have their share of people grabbing pictures of impressive displays and recreating them without paying.  However, this week, it was the store without bells and whistles and impressive displays that gave me grief about taking pictures.  The completely impressive store, with beyond amazing displays, allowed me to walk around for hours (without saying a word to me) allowing me a world of photo opportunities.  After looking at all the shots I collected of both stores, it was clear that one store was very proud and confident in what I would see; the other... not so much.  

As the week progressed, it made me think about teaching and how it relates to the interior design of my two stores.  The attributes of my first store are attributes I wouldn’t want to see in a teacher.  Quantity over quality, no improvements even though it is painfully obvious the need is there, and wouldn’t be thrilled with a Principal or school official observing in the classroom just as you wouldn’t want someone taking pictures in your store.  The qualities of the impressive store are the same as the qualities a good teacher would have.  They understand there is a place for tradition, but there is also a place for new ways, new ideas, new systems, and new approaches.  That store was proud to have me taking pictures and confident in what I would see ~ Just as a teacher with those qualities, someone who is taking the time to create a special experience, an engaging journey, would be happy to have someone observe them… taking mental pictures or otherwise!