'6 Design Lessons From the Apple Store'
updated 01:35 pm EDT, Tue September 21, 2004
Apple Store design lessons
ChangeThis has published a manifesto titled "" written by Information Architecture guru Jesse James Garrett (founding partner of Adaptive Path). "Say what you will about Apple computer, its products have drawn the kind of attention and spawned the kind of loyal (some might say rabid) customer base that other companies would kill for. Famous for its attention to detail, the company recently stepped outside of its comfort zone of hardware and software and built its first retail stores. The thought that went into each detail, both successful and unsuccessful, and how Apple transformed its brand identity into a physical space and experience, bears lessons for those developing all kinds of products and services."
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2000
No photography? Not here
No photography? I've never heard of such a thing. Others have taken plenty of photos, and they've never bothered me either, as I've taken pictures at Apple Stores several times without being interrupted. I know they see me do this, and sometimes I even use my camera's flash for some photos, so it's not like I'm trying to be stealthy about it. They just smile knowingly at me, or just ask if they can help (though that, too, they're pretty good about; they seem able to pick up on the "I don't need assistance right now" vibe). Sounds like somebody at the author's local store got on a bit of a power trip ...
This seems to be all too common these days, sadly. I ran into this crazy attitude myself last week on vacation. There's the "security" guy at a commuter rail station who did the "you can't take pictures here" thing at me when I was doing what? Taking pictures of the model trains that were on display! What do they expect? Enthusiasts are going to be interested in doing that. And it's not like it was a military base or anything, for heavens sake. And then there was the guy at a museum who complained about my tripod even though I went out of my way to put it in the corner out of peoples' way. If you want good photos in the dark, you need a tripod. They cover that in Photography 101, and I thought Common Sense would cover that for people who haven't taken photography courses. No one said a word about it when I went through the front door, either... not everybody is your grandmother with a cheap point and shoot.
Anyway, this is turning into a ramble. My point: a chain retail store is hardly unique. Go to another store. Come back at another time, chosen randomly. Just don't buy anything right after that incident, or it'll look like you don't care how you're treated. And be sure to politely state your displeasure and that you don't feel comfortable shopping there when there are people there that care more about intimidation than actually helping you.