Vacant shopfronts often present a challenge for cities and property owners. Empty windows can make streets feel inactive and disconnected, while under-utilised retail spaces miss opportunities to contribute to the character and energy of a precinct.
Working with the team at SPACEMRKT, I was commissioned to create an illustration system that would transform vacant storefronts into engaging visual experiences while properties awaited their next tenants.
The Challenge
SPACEMRKT specialises in activating under-utilised spaces and bringing new life to empty retail environments. The brief was to develop a creative solution that could:
- Make vacant shopfronts feel purposeful and inviting.
- Create visual interest within the streetscape.
- Communicate the potential of these spaces in a warm and human way.
- Adapt seamlessly across a variety of window sizes and storefront configurations.
The solution needed to be flexible, scalable and easily deployable across multiple sites.
The Creative Approach
I developed a series of illustrated window decals that personify the concept of space and occupancy through playful, human-centric imagery.
Rather than disguising the vacancy, the illustrations celebrate the possibilities that exist within these spaces and reframe them as opportunities waiting to be realised.
The visual system was designed with a modular approach, allowing the artwork to be:
- Scaled to suit windows of different dimensions.
- Rearranged into unique compositions for each location.
- Easily adapted as new spaces became available.
- Applied consistently while maintaining a sense of individuality from site to site.
The result is a versatile illustration toolkit that turns empty shopfronts into vibrant visual landmarks.
Client
SPACEMRKT
Result
A flexible illustration system that transforms vacant shopfronts into engaging public experiences, proving that even empty spaces can contribute meaningfully to the life and character of a city.
