Vanguard, Viewit Team for 3-D In-Store Experience

April 3, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Retail Technology on April 4, 2012

Vanguard Furniture and Viewit Technologies have partnered to create "The Virtual Design Center," a 3-D in-store shopping experience.

The program brings 3-D segments seen on television to furniture showrooms, a technology not readily available to the average retailer or design professional. Vanguard teamed with Viewit's Technologies/3Dream.net on a pilot project to bring the sales potential of 3D to the design professional and consumer level. The Virtual Design Center is a whole-room 3D shopping experience created to help guide the home furnishings shopper in deciding what will look best in their home. Flooring, window treatments, lighting, area rugs and paint colors join furniture in the searchable 3Dream database of products to work with.

The focus of the Virtual Design Center is the 3D Room Designer tool, an online design platform that uses real-world products and materials in a virtual 3D space. At this month's High Point Furniture Market in Vanguard's showroom, 301 N. Hamilton St., a series of newly introduced Vanguard products will be represented in 3D to demonstrate the concept, and visitors will be invited to share their thoughts and interest.

"This market we're very excited to explore what technologies are available and which will be the best for our clients," said Dixon Mitchell, president of Vanguard Furniture. "The Virtual Design Center concept is a natural extension to our 'Make it yours' personalized programs for upholstery and case goods. The ability to see it all (before deciding), is a unique approach to home furnishings. We want to help our resellers create the all-important emotional attachment to the entire room and feel that technology is the best way to make that connection."

Margi Kyle, a.k.a "The Designing Doctor," will be presenting in the Vanguard showroom Monday, April 23 8 a.m.; and again at 5 p.m. She will speak to the importance of technology for designers and retailers, and the impact that 3D and other new technologies will have on the industry--now and in the future. Design professionals and retailers are invited to attend. No RSVP is required but seating is limited.

In addition, Viewit will demonstrate the latest features of its online 3D platform, 3Dream.net, during the High Point Furniture Market in the Atrium of the Furniture Plaza Building (at bottom of escalators), as well as in the Vanguard Furniture showroom.