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WE TAKE YOUR ONLINE BRAND OFFLINE

MISC. (pronounced as Miscellaneous and also an acronym for Made In Second City) is a pop-up shop concept that challenges the traditional retail experience by activating unused commercial spaces around Chicago with gallery-inspired retail installations. 

 

MISC. provides a platform for local and smaller businesses, brands, and makers who do not traditionally have access to these types of retail spaces to sell to a larger market. Within the retail experience, MISC. also creates an opportunity for a cultural hub for unique programming and events that would otherwise not have as large of a reach within a community.

 

The goal of each tailored retail design is to create an elevated environment in which to showcase the objects for sale and create a space for additional programming and events. Working within the restrictions of a temporary installation, all fixtures and displays have to be easily constructed, movable, and deconstructed —which sets up a unique design challenge, keeping each new pop-up feeling fresh and distinctive.

MISC.

Pop-Up Retail

CULTURAL HUB ACTIVATIONS

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Workshops

Programming & Events:

Skill swaps

Art classes

Branding tutorials

Talks

Programming & Events:

Business seminars

Cultural lectures

Educational series

Performances

Programming & Events:

Live music

Comedy

Youth performances

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Events

Programming & Events:

Networking

Community gathering space

Product launches

Food

Programming & Events:

Cooking classes

Signature dish launches

Local cuisine spotlights

Drinks

Programming & Events:

Signature drinks night

Mixology lessons

Local brews and spirits

CASE STUDY 1

PROJECT PARTNERS: Elizabeth Cummings & Wrightwood Developments, Inc.

LOCATION: Lincoln Park, Chicago

The first installment of MISC. featured work from 15 local Chicago designers with objects ranging from textiles and ceramics to lighting and handmade garments. A world of colored boxes was built to create display surfaces, and wooden beams angled against the wall were used for hanging lights, textiles, and macrame. Common Place Projects produced the event, designed and built out the site-specific retail installation, curated the designers, and merchandised the objects with help from curator and researcher Elizabeth Cummings.

Case Study 2

PROJECT PARTNERS: Design Museum Chicago & Block 37

LOCATION: Downtown Chicago

The second installment of MISC. featured work from 16 local Chicago designers who work with paper. Webs of string were created as a way to display cards and stationery, and a central grouping of white-washed cubes served as a display surface for larger items. Common Place Projects was invited to bring MISC. to the inaugural Chicago Design Market, a collaborative effort between Design Museum of Chicago and Block 37. Common Place Projects designed and built out the site-specific retail installation, curated the designers, and merchandised the objects.

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CURL

Interactive Surface

NEXT PROJECT

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