Brand Labs Creates Unique Alliance with the College for Creative Studies (CCS)

Rochester, MI., June 22, 2007-Brand Labs, a growing e-commerce provider, recently collaborated with Detroit's College for Creative Studies' (CCS) Interior Design Department to create a modern and functional workspace for its downtown Rochester office. The company needed a space large enough to house its 10 (and growing)-person team, as well as a photography production area for its frequent product photo shoots.

"I have been more than pleased with the visionary and creative talents of CCS students and currently staff graphic design and photography interns and employees, so I thought who not better to design an innovative office space than a CCS Interior Design student," said Kevin Harman, Brand Labs President. Morgan Hawkins, a junior at CCS, managed the majority of the project with guidance from CCS's Interior Design Chair, Sandra Sabbagh.

"Many people do not realize that one of the most important tasks for an interior designer is not choosing colors or accessories, but developing effective space planning," said Hawkins, a Pittsburgh native. She began by analyzing the work relationships between the members of the Brand Labs team: finding out who needs to report to whom, which members interact most frequently, each employee's role and responsibilities, and what sort of privacy needs they each required. Hawkins was then able to create an effective space plan in which each person could easily move and communicate.

Choosing the furniture system, Hawkins kept in mind that Harman intended to expand his company and add more employees in the near future, as well as the need for cost effectiveness without sacrificing aesthetics. The affordable desk systems in the space allow for adding additional workspaces or organizational pieces while maintaining a consistent aesthetic. As for color application, the Brand Labs team visualized a modern and earthy feel for their space. Hawkins chose paint, flooring and lighting accents that create a warm, upscale and contemporary environment while still maintaining a neutral, professional appearance.

"We are thrilled when a student is asked to take on an exciting real-life project," said Sabbagh. "It's an important lesson for design students to focus on the application of materials and colors relating to corporate image and human interaction, while also focusing on problem solving within the specialized environment. The commitment Brand Labs has made by enriching Morgan's education is impressive," added Sabbagh.

Hawkins feels her involvement with Brand Labs has been an invaluable learning experience that will positively impact her future as an interior designer. "I couldn't have gotten this experience from a book or a hypothetical project. I've learned how to balance aesthetics with the client's need for cost effectiveness and practicality, how to analyze the needs of individuals and combine them into a workable space plan, and how to communicate my ideas effectively to designers and non-designers alike," said Hawkins.

The project took less than three months to design and implement and is now being fully utilized by the Brand Labs team. "We love the new space Morgan created. My employees, as well as clients who come visit rave about it!" said Harman. "It's a perfect combination of comfort, style and functionality."

About Brand Labs
Brand Labs partners with retailers and manufacturers to operate and grow their e-commerce businesses. Its comprehensive and scalable suite of e-commerce services are designed to help businesses maximize their e-commerce dollars in a short amount of time. Brand Labs manages e-commerce operations including e-marketing, order management, fulfillment and logistics, customer service, and e-reporting and consulting. With a proven track record and years of experience managing e-commerce web sites, Brand Labs manages and grows e-commerce sites while letting businesses focus on their offline business. Please visit www.brandlabs.us or call us at 248-318-0935.

Photographs and or tours of the Brand Labs office space are available upon request.

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