M auk has recently begun to parlay his expertise as an exhibit designer into some hospitality and retail interior design. Not surprisingly, he is finding that much of what he applies to the process of designing an exhibit he also can apply to designing, say, a restaurant or retail shop. Furthermore, an exhibit must express a client's passion for their product. If the client isn't excited about its product, there's no reason for anyone else to get excited about it either. The same can be said of the interior design for a store or restaurant.
Most retail is just acres of space with lots of things to sell.
Really good retail guides shoppers through a space and focuses their attention on specific products as they walk through different areas. In a restaurant, a designer can guide a person's eye toward signage and menu boards. Graphics are extremely important in a restaurant. If a menu looks good the impression is the food will taste good. Thus far, Mauk Design has participated in the design process of two Bay Area restaurants.