articles
new year, new look
Overhauling your venue's image can give profits a boost, and it doesn't have to break the bank.
how to avoid the budget trap
Nigel reminds novices that when it comes to fitting out a venue, they shouldn't start what they can't finish.
it's all about seduction
Nigel gives his tips for seducing customers and building lasting loyalty.
select and brief a designer
Choosing the right designer and giving them clear instructions is crucial, yet you'd be amazed how few people get this right.
10 steps to a great design
High standards are now taken for granted; very good is no longer good enough.
how to use colour
When plannng F&B outlets, there is more than one kind of palette to please.
what's in a name?
Be careful when choosing a brand name; it will colour customer impressions.
how to avoid the budget trap
Underestimating an outlet's fit-out costs is a common occurrence but how you handle the reality could mean the difference between a venture's success or failure.
how to be a great client
You've found a location, decided on a format and hired a top design team to fit it out — so what's your role from here-on in?
original or bust!
Copy-catting design may seem like a sure-fire recipe for success, but in the long term it will do F&B outlets more harm than good
the art of seduction
Why F&B outlets must focus on seducing customers if they intend to secure a faithful and long-lasting relationship
return on design
F&B outlet developers have to learn that design is not just a throw away commodity but rather a long-term investment
adapt or die
Middle Eastern outlets must evolve in the downturn or face the threat of extinction.
why good design is so important for the success of your coffee shop
a truly engaging coffee shop can only be created by someone with true passion.
planning for success
Are you making the most of your space, or is the venue layout holding your business back? Some words of wisdom on how to go about designing an outlet's layout.
brand or bland
There are some strong brands in the Middle East - but how many have actually originated here? Nigel Witham considers why branding is a powerful but misunderstood business tool.
is there a scheme behind your theme?
Are there now so many themed restaurants in Dubai that it's hard to tell them apart? Could a clearer, simpler communication of brand values help you stand out from the competition?
how to become famous
It's not what you spend on design it's how you spend it.
be remarkable
Sometimes being very good isn't enough.
why you matter to me
What do you want to get out of your restaurant and how do you explain this to your designer? This month examines the importance of the design brief.
what's new under the sun?
Returning from a recent trip to the UAE, UK-based chartered designer Nigel Witham put to paper about some of the challenges of restaurant design in Dubai.
appropriate restaurant design
Time to redecorate? Well don't blend in with the crowd.
plan for success
How to lay out your back of house to make the operations of your restaurant more functional.
refurbishment and fitting out
Nigel Witham explains why money matters when it comes to a restaurant's success.
avoid pitfalls of restaurant design
Nigel Witham explains just what he can realistically achieve for clients - and what is beyond the abilities of the design consultant.
inside matters
Nigel Witham offers some clear thinking and guidance on what's required when it comes to making those all important decisions about the design and image of your chosen outlet.
design decisions
Getting back to basics.