nigel's magazine articles

Nigel Witham likes the sound of his own voice but since no-one listens to him he expresses his forthright views on design and project management by writing lots of stuff and sending it to magazine editors. He tells us he is quite famous for this.

Nigel's articles cover subjects such as costs of design and fitting out, effective branding and space planning, design tips and how to manage and brief designers. He is often controversial but, so far, he has never been wrong, although we hope that sooner or later he will have to eat his words as well as his lunch.

Nigel is currently a regular columnist on the Middle East edition of Caterer Magazine, published in Dubai, and in the 'The Designer', the magazine of the Chartered Society of Designers.

Please click on the images to download recent articles and feel free to email us your comments, good or bad, especically bad.

If you are a magazine editor and would like Nigel Witham to write for you please do tell us. It may help us to keep him quiet for a few hours.

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Testimonial

Nigel has been contributing to Caterer Middle East for two years, and it has been an absolute pleasure working with him.
Not only does he have a wealth of experience in F&B design, but more importantly he is willing to share his expertise with the industry here, in an effort to support design in the Middle East restaurant and bar industry and help this fast-growing field progress.

 

Through regular columns imparting invaluable advice on current trends, common challenges and top tips, Nigel has built up a great following amongst our readers and his articles have become a 'must-read' for any F&B outlet looking to maximise their design impact.

Lucy Taylor - Editor

original or bust! DECEMBER 2009 ISSUE 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 JULY 2009 ISSUE Why F&B outlets must focus on seducing customers if they intend to secure a faithful and long-lasting relationship
return on design MAY 2009 ISSUE 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 MARCH 2009 ISSUE 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 MARCH 2009 NEWSLETTER a truly engaging coffee shop can only be created by someone with true passion.
planning for success JANUARY 2009 ISSUE 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 DECEMBER 2008 ISSUE 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? NOVEMBER 2008 ISSUE 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?
OCTOBER 2008 ISSUE ...
be remarkable JULY 2008 ISSUE Sometimes being very good isn't enough.
why you matter to me JUNE 2008 ISSUE 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? MAY 2008 ISSUE 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 SPRING 2004 ISSUE Time to redecorate? Well don't blend in with the crowd.
plan for success SUMMER 2004 ISSUE How to lay out your back of house to make the operations of your restaurant more functional.
refurbishment and fitting out AUTUMN 2004 ISSUE Nigel Witham explains why money matters when it comes to a restaurant's success.
avoid pitfalls of restaurant design SEPTEMBER 2001 ISSUE Nigel Witham explains just what he can realistically achieve for clients - and what is beyond the abilities of the design consultant.
inside matters FEBRUARY 2007 ISSUE 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 JULY 2006 ISSUE Getting back to basics.