Tile

This interlocking stool and table display with shelving unit serves as a moment of pause as active book hunters peruse through used bookstores. Its situation between or at the end of existing shelves allows for it to stimulate conversation, while creating a comfortable environment that the user would want to spend time in – increasing the likelihood that they would purchase the pieces they are most interested in. 

Observation was done in three locations: Housing Works, the Strand, and McNally Jackson Books. Customers were observed creating improvised seating to make perusing more comfortable (compromising seating in other areas of the store), reviewing potential purchases on top of display material (making it less visible to patrons), and taking up room in aisles (inhibiting flow throughout the store).

Tile is a two part display and storage unit. The stools stands separately from the display and shelving unit to allow for flexibility in their placement in the store. It also allows patrons to adjust the nested stool without affecting the traffic flow.