Barbie Sweet Shop. Guanzhou, China

Services

Creative direction

Retail design

Full 3D branded interior concept design

Visual Merchanidise

Contractor handover technical pack / CAD

About

A complete transformation of an existing shopping mall lobby into a captivating and vibrant retail and F&B space. We collaborated with the Barbie head office and the Chinese franchise creative team to design and develop an innovative, bold concept that reflects the iconic Barbie brand in China.

Size: 190 Sqm

 

Sweet Dreams in Pink: Designing the Barbie Sweet Shop Pop-Up in Guangzhou

The Barbie Sweet Shop pop-up in Guangzhou, China, was designed to be a vibrant, immersive, and utterly delightful experience, perfectly capturing Barbie's playful spirit and iconic aesthetic. Our team at Alter/d was thrilled to bring this sugary wonderland to life, focusing on creating a visually stunning and irresistibly engaging space for fans of all ages.

Embracing the Barbie Dreamhouse: A Design Philosophy Rooted in Fun

Our design process for the Barbie Sweet Shop pop-up was guided by the core elements that define the Barbie brand:

  • Iconic Pink Hue: Of course, the signature Barbie pink was central to the design. We explored various shades and applications to create a visually striking and instantly recognisable environment.

  • Playfulness and Imagination: Barbie embodies endless possibilities and imaginative play. The design aimed to evoke this sense of fun and encourage interaction and discovery.

  • Sweet Treats as Inspiration: The concept of a sweet shop provided a delicious layer of inspiration, influencing the colour palettes, textures, and overall whimsical atmosphere.

  • Photo-Opportunity Focus: To recognise the social media-savvy audience, the design incorporated numerous Instagrammable moments and photo opportunities.

  • Accessibility and Engagement: The space needed to be inviting and accessible to visitors of all ages, encouraging them to explore and interact with the sweet treats and Barbie-themed elements.

Translating Sweetness into a Tangible Space

To bring the Barbie Sweet Shop to life in Guangzhou, we focused on translating these core elements into a captivating physical environment:

  • Candy-Colored Palette: Beyond the iconic pink, we incorporated a vibrant palette of pastel hues and candy-inspired colours to create a visually rich and playful atmosphere.

  • Whimsical Design Elements: The space was infused with whimsical design elements reminiscent of a dreamlike sweet shop. This included oversized candy props, playful patterns, and imaginative displays.

  • Zoned Experiences: We designed distinct zones within the pop-up to offer different experiences, from shopable retail to interactive photo opportunities and small activity areas.

  • Strategic Lighting: Carefully considered lighting enhanced the vibrant colours, highlighted the sweet treats, and created a warm and inviting ambiance.

Key Design Features of the Barbie Sweet Shop Pop-Up

The Barbie Sweet Shop pop-up in Guangzhou likely incorporated several key design features:

  • Instagrammable Backdrops: Dedicated photo zones with fun props and backdrops featuring Barbie imagery and sweet treat themes were crucial for social media engagement.

  • Eye-Catching Product Displays: Creative and visually appealing displays showcased the sweet treats, using tiered arrangements, playful containers, and thematic decorations.

  • Barbie Brand Integration: Subtle and strategic integration of the Barbie logo, silhouettes, and iconic imagery reinforced the brand identity throughout the space.

  • Thematic Furnishings: Furniture and fixtures incorporated playful shapes and colours, contributing to the overall whimsical aesthetic.

A Sugar-Coated Celebration of Barbie

The Barbie Sweet Shop pop-up in Guangzhou was designed to be more than just a place to buy treats; it was a vibrant celebration of the Barbie brand and the joy of all things sweet. By embracing the iconic pink, incorporating playful design elements, and creating numerous shareable moments, the pop-up aimed to immerse visitors in a sugary wonderland that captured the imagination and left a lasting, sweet impression. It was a temporary space designed to create a significant impact and bring the magic of Barbie to life in a delicious and visually stunning way.

Pink Barbie-themed store interior with toys and merchandise displayed on shelves.
Barbie-themed cafe with pink decor, round tables with pink stools, black and white checkered floor, and neon signs.

 

A Barbie themed cafe with pink decor, shelves displaying toys, illuminated signage, and a menu board. The cafe features tables and chairs with a black-and-white checkered floor.
Bright pink Barbie-themed sweets store with neon signs and checkered flooring.
Pink-themed cafe with a large letter 'B' filled with ice cream cone models and branded products, featuring a modern table and stool setup on a checkered floor.
Interior of a Barbie-themed ice cream shop with pink decor, neon Barbie sign, colorful ceiling decorations, ice cream display, and digital menu screens.
Pink-themed display shelf with various Barbie dolls and accessories, including packaged dolls, mini figures, and toy sets, decorated with lights and a Barbie logo.
Pink display shelf with Barbie dolls and toys, surrounded by illuminated marquee lights.
Barbie-themed retail store interior with pink shelves and displays featuring Barbie dolls, accessories, and merchandise. The store has a bright, colorful design with neon lighting and a black and white checkered floor.
Pink-themed cafe and store interior with Barbie merchandise, tables, and chairs, featuring neon signs and decorative lighting.
Bright pink and white themed cafe with retro style decor, neon sign reading "Have a Sweet Day!", pink columns, checkered floor, and tables with stools.
Interior of a brightly lit, pink-themed store with shelves of toys, including dolls and craft sets, under neon lights, featuring black and white tiled flooring and a candy counter.
Entrance to Barbie-themed room with pink decor, a large Barbie poster, and framed photos on walls.
Interior of a Barbie Sweets Store with pink decor, a digital menu board displaying drinks, and toy displays in wall niches.
Pink-themed cafe interior with Barbie neon sign, seating area, and counter with treats.
Neon pink 'Barbie' sign above a counter with beverage dispensers and cups against a tiled wall.
Interior of a pink-themed Barbie cafe with checkered floors, decorative ceiling, tables, chairs, and Barbie merchandise.
Pink-themed room with Barbie signage, stairs, and decorative items.
A modern, designed cafe interior with pink and white gradient furniture, including transparent chairs with round cushions and round tables, on a black and white geometric tiled floor.

 

Abstract pink tabletop shape with multicolored vertical lines
Colorful Barbie themed store interior with neon signs, mannequins, and display stands, featuring various Barbie dolls on geometric platforms, and a silhouetted shopper holding bags.
Blueprints of a Barbie-themed retail display with shelving and signage, featuring dimensions and design details.
Floor plan layout with designated areas for retail, selfie zones, seating, F&B, and back-of-house. Includes arrows indicating movement flow, labeled sections for service counter, storage room, and promotional hotspots.
Barbie-themed café with pink and white decor, featuring neon "Barbie" sign, sprinkle-patterned counters, white stools, and a tiled floor.
Barbie-themed ice cream shop with pink walls, a neon "Barbie" sign, pastel-striped canopy, sprinkle-patterned counter, ice cream display, and Barbie silhouette logo.

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