BarbaraWrightDesign.com

NYC Holiday Windows

2012-01-23T21:26:47+00:00

NYC Holiday Decorations: Utterly Divine!

Lady Gaga’s Holiday Shop

2012-01-23T21:09:06+00:00

Fabled high fashion retail mecca Barney's New York invited Lady Gaga to create her vision of Santa's Workshop for the 2011 holiday season on an entire floor of their Fifth Ave. flagship store. It was on my short list of new stores to see while I was in the city celebrating the New Year with family. She did not disappoint.

Beachy Optometrist

2012-01-23T20:56:24+00:00

When optometrist Craig Scheffel decided to move his busy high-volume practice out of the Lakewood, CA mall into a large 5,000 SF office nearby, his goals for the office design were simple: make it "beachy casual" and budget-friendly.

First Look: Steakhouse Optometrist

2011-12-13T19:11:24+00:00

Gurnee Eye Care is a state of the art optometric building nestled in a small suburban town outside of Chicago. Owner Dr. Robert Alongi needed a larger more efficient office that would allow a for second doctor.

CEO of your practice

2011-12-13T19:10:24+00:00

What's your one job as the CEO of your practice?

Tiered Pricing

2011-12-13T18:52:24+00:00

A simplified, color-coded system for pricing frames makes it easy for patients to shopâand it keeps pricing and presentation simple for your optical staff.

A Modern Remodel

2011-12-07T19:01:24+00:00

A step-by-step look at how one Texas optometric brought its look into the 21st century.

A Modern Remodel

2011-12-07T18:48:57+00:00

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Winner of Vision Monday DARE Award

2011-10-05T00:23:24+00:00

Winner of Vision Monday DARE Award: Barbara Wright Design Client Dr. Shaun Golemba! Vision Monday named our client, Dr. Shaun Golemba of Port Alberni, British Columbia winner of the "Shop It Like It's Hot" Award for most daring store design, retail environment, merchandising or window display. Congratulations to Dr. Golemba! The First Annual Dispensing and Retail Excellence (D.A.R.E.) Awards was conceived to honor daring optical retailers of all sizes across North America.

Working with a clients dream

2011-08-19T17:36:24+00:00

Michelle Mumford visits with Barbara Wright to review the selected materials that will create her dream office.

New Office Photos - Whistler Eye Clinic

2011-08-12T23:45:24+00:00

Set in the picturesque Canadian ski resort village of Whistler, BC, Whistler Eye Clinic's new home sports a clean, contemporary look. Practice owner Shea Colpitts, OD moved to a larger location so she could have a larger frame selection and room for two doctors to work simultaneously.

Frame Inventory Management

2011-08-02T20:37:24+00:00

In my opinion, "frame board" is a old-fashioned word that should be retired from use. If all you have in your office is "frame boards" you're in big trouble display-wise. But don't let the title of the following article fool you. Jay Binkowitz, a 30 year optical industry veteran, has a modern, sophisticated approach to frame inventory management that you will find enlightening.

Reborn

2011-06-29T18:44:03+00:00

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Tackling Renovation

2011-06-07T18:37:44+00:00

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Office Design Tips

2011-06-07T18:36:29+00:00

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Office Design Disasters

2011-06-07T18:36:07+00:00

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Designing for Sales by Barbara Wright Design

2011-06-07T18:35:41+00:00

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The Basics of Selecting a New Location

2011-06-07T18:35:01+00:00

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Selecting A Location For Your Vision Business

2011-06-07T18:34:49+00:00

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Exceeding Expectations

2011-06-07T18:34:39+00:00

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The 6 Irrefutable Rules of Luxury Eyewear Display

2011-06-07T18:33:35+00:00

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Earth Friendly

2011-06-07T18:33:23+00:00

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High Impact On a Low Budget

2011-06-07T18:31:59+00:00

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Successful Brands Start with Strategy

2011-06-07T18:31:19+00:00

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Talk of the Town

2011-06-07T18:31:06+00:00

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Checking in with the pros on the five most common store decor mistakes and how to avoid them

2011-06-07T18:29:22+00:00

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Lighten Up

2011-06-07T17:37:07+00:00

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Strategies for catering to your important aging customer base

2011-06-07T17:36:21+00:00

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The Five Basics of Visual Merchandising

2011-05-12T01:13:18+00:00

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The Five Basics of Visual Merchandising

2011-05-12T00:16:24+00:00

The art of displaying merchandise to enhance its sales appeal is called "visual merchandising." Every optical dispensary benefits from good visual merchandising.

New building photos - Drake Eye Center

2011-04-21T02:06:24+00:00

New building in Hartselle, AL

New office photos - Rolling Hills Eyecare

2011-04-21T02:03:24+00:00

New office opened in Pullman, WA

Remodeled office photos - Family Eye Care Clinic

2011-04-21T01:53:24+00:00

Remodeled office in Atlanta, TX

New office photos - ForSight Eye Center

2011-04-21T01:43:24+00:00

New office opened in Cummings, GA

EyeRock in New York

2011-03-10T21:23:24+00:00

Are you attending the EyeRock party on Saturday, March 19th?

Meet Barbara Wright at Vision Expo New York

2011-03-10T20:19:24+00:00

To schedule an appointment with Barbara call 503-283-9611 When: Thursday, March 17 - Sunday, March 20

New office photos - Advance Vision Optometric Center

2011-03-10T20:06:24+00:00

New office opened in Monterey Park, CA

Barbara Wright Design Opening Second Office in Nashville, TN

2010-07-15T02:07:24+00:00

I am proud to announce that we will be opening a new office in Nashville, TN on August 1, 2010. Centrally located Nashville is a perfect base for easy travel to clients and speaking engagements in the Eastern half of the USA and Canada.

New Office Photos - Dr. Chris Schell

2010-07-15T02:06:24+00:00

Did you see this ad in the June issue of 20/20? See more photos of this office in the photo gallery on our website.

Is Your Group Looking For a Dynamic Speaker?

2010-07-15T02:03:24+00:00

I recently spoke at the ASOA (American Society of Ophthalmology Administrators) Congress in Boston and at the Pacific University College of Optometry.

Extreme Makeover: Dispensary Edition

2010-04-08T00:07:53+00:00

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Resources for Ophthalmology Practices

2010-04-07T21:42:26+00:00

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Do you have an exit strategy?

2010-03-15T23:09:24+00:00

This article by Bill Nolan in the March Eyecare Business magazine talks about exit strategies for retirement. There are several questions to be answered and Bill points out a few.

First Look: 20/10 Vision Center, Altadena, CA

2010-03-10T20:29:24+00:00

Eileen Chang, OD collects vintage carved stone sculptures from her native Taiwan. They provided the inspiration for the color scheme of her new practice in Altadena, CA. Soft gold and sage green are accented with a wall of Mandarin red in the waiting area. We chose cork flooring not just for its beauty but also because it is eco-friendly and comfortable underfoot.

IRS Special Sale: $50 Off On Optometric Office Design Book Through April 15

2010-03-02T18:49:35+00:00

Barbara Wright Design announces the IRS Special $50 Off Sale on the Optometric Office Design Process & Pitfalls book. The special price of $147 (regularly $197) includes the book plus two free bonuses - Barbara's 25 Best Optometric Floor Plans book and a Project Cost Calculator through April 15, 2010 only. Download a free chapter or order online today at www.ecpdesignbook.com.

Talk of the Town

2010-02-25T23:09:24+00:00

How do you create a modern optometric practice in a style that invokes the gracious elegant feel of a Cajun country plantation, without breaking the budget?

Merchandising Inspiration from Cole Haan

2010-02-22T20:16:24+00:00

Have you seen the latest Cole Haan store design? I snapped these photos through their front window. This store is a great example of masterful merchandising. The drawers are meant to be always in the open position displaying just one type of product in each drawer. How could we adapt this concept for optical display? Notice how beautifully all the product is arranged and how some "breathing" space is allowed around the groups of product.

Going Green article

2010-01-19T00:45:24+00:00

There's a good article on green building practices in the January 2010 issue of Optometric Management. I was interviewed for this article so you'll find several quotes in it from me and a lot of good ideas from a number of sources. Also featured in the article is Dr. Todd Wylie's Spokane, WA eco-friendly office that we designed.

New Video: How I Got Into Optical Design

2010-01-18T21:16:24+00:00

Beverly Hills, Uncle Ralph and orange shag carpetingâthey all played a part in how I became "The Queen of Optometric Office Design." Hear the whole story in a mere 2 1/2 minutes in this video.

New Office: 20/10 VisionCare, Altadena, CA

2010-01-18T20:14:24+00:00

Despite the rocky economy ambitious younger OD's still dream of "having my own practice and doing it MY way." Here's a first look at the new start up practice of Eileen Chang, OD in Altadena, CA.

Successful Brands Start With Strategy

2009-12-18T00:42:24+00:00

Of all the services provided by designers of retail spaces, perhaps one of the most crucial is brand management. This article by Bruce Brigham, FASID explains the importance of getting brand management along with a beautiful design.

Vision Expo Las Vegas 2009 Report

2009-10-24T00:40:24+00:00

If I were giving awards for booth and product design at Vision Expo Las Vegas 2009, these would be my winners.

Optical Office Design Expert Launches Newly Redesigned Website

2009-10-20T01:56:24+00:00

Barbara Wright Design launches an updated and redesigned website packed with optical office design ideas and information on how to plan a new eye care facility. The website provides answers to the most-often asked questions on optical dispensary design, floor plans and new building design.

Study Released On the Overwhelming Odds Against Succeeding as an Eye Care Professional

2009-10-16T00:42:17+00:00

Barbara Wright Design, a nationally recognized optical office design firm, commissioned an independent research study into the key business obstacles faced by eye care professionals in today's rocky economy. It shows that excellence in the clinical arena is no longer enough to succeed.

Jamie Rose Eyewear Before and After

2009-10-07T22:26:24+00:00

Watch this cool HGTV style video showing how we transformed Jamie Rose Eyewear in Queens, NY. This 18 year old practice serves mostly union blue collar families in an old Italian neighborhood. We expanded the optical and gave it a whole new brand identity and strong street presence.

Flooring for Reception and Optical

2009-10-06T23:27:24+00:00

If you like the softness and sound-absorbing quality of carpet, you have lots of good choices available in today's commercial carpets. Many include recycled fibers and most commercial carpet manufacturers have re-cycling programs. They will pick up your old carpet and recycle it so it doesn't go into a landfill.

How Design Can Help You Succeed in Difficult Times

2009-09-24T22:21:24+00:00

The Editor's Note column in Vision Monday this week stopped me in my tracks: "Those eyecare practices and optical retailers with distinct and consistent positioning in their markets, to their patients and in all dimensionsâthe exam lane, the dispensary, the physical presentation of the office, store and windows, advertising campaigns and positioning on the Internetâare the ones who will not just tread water but gain ground in this tough climate." Marge Axelrad, Vision Monday Editorial Director

Forget the Yellow Pages…How’s Your Website?

2009-09-16T00:47:24+00:00

If the discussion forum at ODWire is a reliable indicator, many OD's consider Yellow Pages advertising a waste of money. Most who voiced an opinion on the topic recently had considerably cut back on Yellow Pages advertising without any decrease in the number of new patients. A surprising number have dropped it altogether and don't miss it at all.

Floor Plan Case Study

2009-09-01T01:51:32+00:00

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Six Design Tips to Help Maximize Dispensary Sales

2009-08-21T01:59:04+00:00

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Romancing The Frames

2009-08-05T07:47:31+00:00

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What’s New in Office Design?

2009-08-05T07:30:34+00:00

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Dynamite Dispensary Design Revisited

2009-08-05T07:19:21+00:00

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10 Mistakes To Avoid When Designing Your Next Office

2009-08-05T06:34:44+00:00

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Creole Plantation Style Inspires Design of New Eye Care Building

2009-07-29T16:47:34+00:00

Mark Cowan, OD of Thomas Vision Center in Leesville, Louisiana knew exactly what he wanted when the time came to build a new 4,000 square foot building to house his optometry practice. He envisioned a modern plantation similar to the style of A. Hays Town, prominent Louisiana architect of the 1960âs remembered today for his residential designs. Town was influenced by the Creoles, people of French/Spanish and African American descent who created a diverse culture unique to southern Louisiana

20/20’s Retail Design Survey 2008

2009-04-29T13:32:16+00:00

Just in case you missed this article from the August 2008 issue of 20/20, here it is. No matter how good your service is, no matter how fantastic your product, the look of your practice is a very vital part of how you are perceived by your patients. While 20/20 would never downplay the importance of providing excellent healthcare and great customer service, part of that service is having a dispensary that reflects an image of high-quality and trust.

Dr. Todd Wiley’s Office Featured in Eyecare Business

2009-04-29T13:31:24+00:00

Nature was the inspiration for Spokane, Wash.-based Advanced Eye Care's new 5,400-square-foot eco-friendly practice and dispensary. In fact, owner Todd Wylie, OD, has a penchant for plants and the great outdoors. "My family does a lot of outdoor activities and we have a greenhouse at our home," he says.

1st Quarter News

2009-04-29T13:29:24+00:00

Well, the first quarter of 2009 is nearly over and I'm hearing good news from our clients. January and February were tough months for a few people, but lots of practices are doing just fine.

Selecting A Location For Your Vision Business

2009-01-23T13:00:24+00:00

When the âgot to have a new officeâ bug bites, you may find yourself in a dilemma. Your growth has flattened. Youâre seeing the maximum number of patients possible. The optical needs a face lift.

Taking an Optical Floor Plan from Good to Great

2008-12-12T20:04:24+00:00

How can you tell if the floor plan for your new optical or optometric office is good enough? Learn some of the strategies and tactics that we at Barbara Wright Design employ to turn an ordinary optical floor plan into an extraordinary productivity builder.

How To Succeed in 2009

2008-12-09T14:28:24+00:00

The practices that succeed in 2009 will be the ones that are the best in their categories. That means they will be the best in selling, best in patient care and customer service, best in positioning themselves, best in describing themselves and best in creating a following. These excellent practices will take tons of market share away from "lesser" practices, potentially putting them out of business altogether.

Office Design Trends 2009

2008-12-09T14:18:24+00:00

New offices will have computerized diagnostic equipment and office management software all linked together to provide quick access to information from just about anywhere in the office. In the optical every styling table will have it's own computer. Multiple data collection rooms and multiple check out stations are a must to prevent bottlenecks and keep patient flow running smoothly even in a small office.

David Yurman Line Price Range Update

2008-10-27T15:02:24+00:00

The David Yurman line that I mentioned in a previous post actually has retail prices starting at $325. Most of the line retails for under $1,000 so it is within reach for a larger number of people than I originally thought.

Vision Expo “Best of Show”

2008-10-10T17:56:24+00:00

I had a very busy and productive three days at Vision Expo. Between meetings with current clients, prospective clients and magazine editors my dance card was full! With me at the show were Jennifer Anderson, our business manager and Jeff Cary, our architect. We were like the three musketeers scouring the show for the newest and best display products and frame lines. Here are my picks for "Best of Show."

Preventing Frame Theft

2008-09-04T15:10:24+00:00

In a retail setting like a mall or even a strip shopping center theft is a problem that goes with the territory. These days even practices in a more professional medical setting can experience theft of frames (politely referred to by accountants as "shrinkage") The busier you get, the easier it is for dishonest people to get away with it.

20/20 Features Vision Source Texarkana!

2008-09-04T15:05:24+00:00

Our design for Dr. Allen and Moser's new Vision Source Texarkana office building was featured in last month's issue of 20/20.

How to Build an Optical WITHOUT Expensive Display Fixtures

2008-07-24T14:38:24+00:00

When you're opening a small office, especially if it's your first office and you are opening cold, you are probably looking for a way to get it designed and built economically. You can go to one of the fixture companies and they'll give you a free floor plan. But the optical will consist of a layout with the fixtures they expect to sell you. And those fixtures can cost $25,000 or more.

An Eco-Tech Optometrist

2008-07-24T14:34:24+00:00

When practice owner Todd Wylie, O.D. decided it was time to move to a larger office he wanted a one of a kind design that would combine his top two personal interests.

Tech. Stations Large and Small

2008-06-02T15:32:24+00:00

One of the factors that helps a growing practice increase efficiency is having one or more technicians to do pre-testing and assist the doctor in many ways. Some ECP's describe their lead technician as the "quarterback" of the office who manages the movement of patients to create a smooth patient flow for the doctor.

Get a Tax Break for Energy-Efficient New Facility or Equipment

2008-06-02T14:47:24+00:00

Here's a tax tip for you gleaned from DHL's monthly newsletter: Energy-related creditsâUncle Sam believes in energy efficiency and offers different types of tax credits to reward you. Whether youâre building a new facility or upgrading using energy-efficient components (e.g., Energy Star-rated appliances, solar panels, etc.), there are credits available to you. Look for these credits at the state level as well.

Which brand would fill shoppers closets if money were no object?

2008-06-02T14:45:24+00:00

The following is an excerpt from the June 2008 issue of VMSD magazine.

Eco-Tech Optometrist

2008-05-14T21:06:26+00:00

Open the door to Advanced Eyecare and Optical in Spokane, Washington and you are greeted with a panoply of gleaming maple and cherry, variegated slate stone, live plants and paint colors borrowed from the nearby forest. You might suspect that a botanical garden had taken over this optometry office.

Morganthal Frederics NYC

2008-05-06T19:04:24+00:00

This well-known optical chain has stores sprinkled throughout the city in nearly every upscale neighborhood so going into the Columbus Circle Center was a natural fit for them. The large photo graphics let shoppers know what the store is about from a distance before they can even read the name. The storefront is fairly conventional, reminiscent of a fine French boutique with tall double doors propped open in a welcoming stance.

Solstice Sunglasses NYC

2008-05-06T17:02:24+00:00

On a recent New York visit I carved out some time to see one of the newest upscale shopping centers at Columbus Circle (59th St.) The Columbus Circle Center is not as large as those you find in Los Angeles, but it boasts two optical shops. Solstice is strictly sunglasses with mid-range priced styles displayed on the wall and higher-priced styles in locked table top showcases. Brand names are displayed neatly above each row of frames. I was impressed that the check out counter was kept relatively free of clutter.

Ask the Expert

2008-03-05T16:57:24+00:00

Do you recommend having the lab close to the front of the office or as a combination lab/staff lounge in the back to save space? I'm starting to hear the latter more and more. Also, do you think it's wise to equip the lab with an edger immediately or is it better to wait if budget is tight?

March Q and A

2008-03-05T16:31:24+00:00

Great Blog! I have read it and it is inspiring me to get ready to try to open up my own practice. I have been leasing space in a chain store for the last 5 years which is very successful. I have many patients who have asked me when I am going to start my own practice but I have been hesitant since I am close to one of our major employers and have a one year 3 mile non-compete clause.

Optometric Office Design Process and Pitfalls Book

2008-02-12T18:08:49+00:00

Barbara Wright Design, an office design firm specializing in optometric practice design and development, has published a new "how-to, self-help" book titled Optometric Office Design Process & Pitfalls. The book, authored by leading optical office designer Barbara Wright, teaches optometrists how to prevent the all too common mistakes that turn building a new dream office into a nightmare. For a limited time only Optometric Office Design Process & Pitfalls comes with two free bonuses Barbara's 25 Best Optometric Floor Plans book and a Project Cost Calculator (this special offer expires March 31, 2008). Order online today at ecpdesignbook.com.

First Look â Mother Nature Meets High Tech

2008-02-05T10:56:24+00:00

Hereâs a first peek at the office of Todd Wylie, O.D. in Spokane, WA, a 5,550 square foot 2-story building for a one-doctor vision therapy practice. Thatâs not a misprint: one doctor, 5,550 square feet. This view shows the main area of the optical, which occupies most of the first floor.

New book coming soon! Subscriber only discount!

2008-02-04T16:43:24+00:00

My new book, Optometric Office Design Process and Pitfalls, will save you thousands of dollars and help you avoid the exasperating problems and runaway costs that other practitioners experience when they build a new office.

New Name â Optometric Office Design Ideas

2008-02-04T16:39:24+00:00

Weâve got a new name for our newsletter that better describes what you will be receiving every month: Optometric Office Design Ideas. You will be the first to see a new office the moment we photograph it. Iâll continue to give you my tips and opinions on all things related to office design.

Bad News for Builders is Good News for You

2008-01-04T17:19:24+00:00

The media is having a field day with the latest economic figures released by the government. All the business commentators are talking about the country going into an economic slow-down (no one wants to use that bad word "recession" just yet).

Construction Costs - Reality vs. Wish

2008-01-04T17:16:24+00:00

When people call me to talk about building a new office, one of the questions I ask is, "How much per square foot have you budgeted for construction?" The answers mostly range from "I don't know" to $50 per square foot, which is way too low for an all-new interior build-out.

Design Blunders: Display Background Color

2007-12-03T15:52:24+00:00

Optical design and theatrical design have much in common. Both have a stage (background) upon which the star (merchandise) is presented. Both rely on strong lighting to bring the audienceâs attention to the star.

Top 10 Reasons and Ways to Go Green

2007-12-03T15:47:24+00:00

Should you use green (environmentally friendly) building materials the next time you remodel or build a new office? The National Association of the Remodeling Industry shares reasons and ways to go green.

Common Design Mistakes: Poor Sightlines

2007-11-05T17:07:24+00:00

The line of vision between a person and an object is called a sight line. In optical design controlling the sight lines of what patients will see as they travel from one room to the next is a nuance that is left out of many office designs. When done correctly patients donât realize that their sight lines have been carefully planned and limited. What they perceive is a very neat, clean and professional office.

Designing for Sales

2007-11-05T17:06:24+00:00

The latest feature article by Barbara in the October addition of Eyecare Business magazine.

Food for thought from a recent SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business newsletter

2007-11-05T15:37:24+00:00

I found a fascinating interview with business writer and lecturer Dan Pink in a recent SCORE (Counselor's to America's Small Business) newsletter. He says, "you canât compete by process or economies of scale, but you can differentiate yourself through design, storytelling, the ability to see the big picture, and empathy."

Q and A - Customized Storage

2007-10-02T15:35:24+00:00

Someone asked me a question recently about customizing a cabinet design for storing stock lenses in the lab. It prompted me to think about how many different items need customized storage in a typical optometric office. How can you be sure that the things you want to store will fit in your new cabinets? Here's the original question and my answer.

Accessory and Lens Display

2007-10-02T14:28:24+00:00

At GW Eye Associates in Carlsbad, CA this passage from clinic area to dispensary provides a convenient and quick stop for lens brochures, samples, products and accessories. Although my general rule for frame display is to have a white background, we can break the rule in secondary display areas like this.

LED Lighting Revolution: Why Gucci Snatched Up These Light Fixtures

2007-09-13T11:56:24+00:00

Oh, boy! I'm steamed! Months ago I specified new state of the art LED lighting fixtures for a green-conscious forward-thinking client. When it came time to ship the order, the manufacturer said, "Sorry, all of our inventory was sold to Gucci for their new store in New York."