In the contemporary offline retail landscape, the focus has shifted from
product sales to delivering brand identity and value through experiential
spaces. This transformation has accelerated in the post-pandemic era, as
consumer demand for physical, i...
In the contemporary offline retail landscape, the focus has shifted from
product sales to delivering brand identity and value through experiential
spaces. This transformation has accelerated in the post-pandemic era, as
consumer demand for physical, immersive experiences has notably
increased. In response, many brands have adopted pop-up stores as a
strategic means to communicate their identity and enhance promotional
efforts. Among these, the cosmetic industry has been especially active,
given the high relevance of product testing and sensorial engagement.
As competition intensifies among cosmetic brands, pop-up stores have
increasingly relied on visually stimulating and short-term displays. However,
this approach has limitations in meeting the evolving needs of consumers
who seek deeper engagement and differentiated brand experiences. With
the spread of contactless consumption and heightened hygiene awareness
since the pandemic, physical product trials in offline spaces have declined significantly. Moreover, the rise of Generation Z—digital-native consumers
familiar with online purchasing—calls for a spatial design strategy that
extends beyond visual stimulation and fosters meaningful brand interaction.
In this context, this study explores the potential of vernacular design, a
concept rooted in the emotional and cultural sensibilities of local contexts.
Vernacular design expresses regionally accumulated narratives and
aesthetics, and when applied to pop-up store design, it can introduce a
strong sense of place and storytelling. This approach can offer consumers
a more intimate and emotionally resonant experience, aligned with local
identity and community.
The research emphasizes the necessity of a differentiated spatial strategy
that integrates brand identity with local context, particularly in an era
where offline engagement is increasingly limited. To this end, the study
investigates the key components and expressive methods of vernacular
design and examines how these can be applied to the spatial design of
cosmetic brand pop-up stores. It further proposes design strategies that
incorporate locally symbolic features, aiming to foster emotional connections
with regional consumers. This research ultimately contributes to presenting
a practical direction for experience-based spatial design in the cosmetic
industry and other fields seeking to create place-sensitive, emotionally
engaging brand environments.
Keywords : Cosmetic Brand, Pop-up Store, Vernacular Design, Locality, Sense of Place