Design Continuum

• Featured Work
• Concept Work
• Health & Medical
• Consumer Goods
• Consumer Electronics
• Housewares
• Recreation
• Retail & Hospitality
• 01. Amore Pacific
• 02. Captain D's
• 03. Cervélo
• 04. L.L. Bean
• 05. Magic Beans
• 06. Sprint Studio Store
• Commercial & Industrial
• Technologies
• Telecommunications
• Transportation
• Sustainable Design
• Social Innovation
• Organizational Innovation
• Client List

Magic Beans is a growing retail brand in the Boston area that specializes in toys and baby gear for children ranging from infant to 10 years old. Our firm was hired to develop a fun and visually exciting new retail environment and shopping experience for their new stores that were opened this year in Wellesley and Hingham, MA. After watching several boutique toy stores fail in her upscale Boston neighborhood and noticing that Boston lacked an outstanding baby gear store, the founder of Magic Beans came up with the innovative idea of selling both toys and baby gear (strollers, baby carriers, etc.) together in the same retail environment as a means of extending the appeal of the store to parents of children from infant to 10 years of age. The core of Magic Beans’ appeal comes from the high level of research that goes into the product lines that are offered as well as a very high level of customer service. For example, only the best stroller lines from manufacturers all over the world are offered, and the toys that are sold are chosen based on the quality of the play experience.

Special attention was given to the design of the various fixtures and furniture throughout the store to create a playful, spirited atmosphere without being cloying. A strong color palette was used, but was applied in a controlled fashion to selected surfaces interspersed with white, to create a light, open feel. The fixtures and case goods used for retail storage and display are a combination of rectilinear and softened forms that create a dynamic visual rhythm. These have colors applied that code them to a given part of the store (Baby Gear, Toys, etc.) In addition to their visual appeal, some of these fixtures invite interactive play, and help to create an entertaining atmosphere that helps to engage and distract children while a parent shops. The Magic Beans stores have been an unqualified success in drawing in a wide range of shoppers, and the quality of the merchandise offerings and the knowledgeable sales staff have created a loyal customer base.