#space branding agency

[brightpixelpune]

Space Branding Agency in Pune, Maharashtra

We offer Space Branding as a thoughtfully designed set of graphic design extensions around the brand. Space branding can be of the outdoor and space of any office, company, enterprise, showroom, mall, restaurant, institute, sports club, hospitals or even a yoga and meditation centre, private row houses, bungalows. If you plan to revamp your customer visit area or be it a stall at an exhibition, our experts are out there to create a look and feel that cannot be avoided. After all branding of a product begins from where it’s put up for sale. Here we specialize in solutions like site board, sign ages, campus images in vinyl, entrance glass door motifs, or the images galore inside in the Indoor Spacing. The materials can be varied like acrylics, flex, vinyl, wood, etching, and mixed media.

[intericsspacedesign]

The Role of Space Branding in Customer Journey Mapping

A customer’s journey might look straightforward, but a customer goes through a lot of stages and experiences before they even begin connecting with your brand. Building those experiences and stages for the customers in a memorable way is Space branding. This means designing physical environments that reflect a brand's identity, values, and messaging. It involves everything from the layout and décor to the sensory elements that create an immersive experience. When executed well, space branding turns any environment, be it an office, retail store, or experience centre, into a powerful touchpoint in the customer journey.

The Role of Interics Designs as a Space Branding Agency

As a leading space branding agency, we specialize in setting up compelling environments for experimental and technology centres. By using innovative showcasing methods and ideas, we display game-changing technology, create extensive history zones, install and highlight exhibits, and project technological breakthroughs while remaining true to the brand.

The objective is to map a customer journey and help visitors 'experience’ the ideas, products, and achievements that have impacted lives around the world.

The key elements of space branding in experience centres are essential:

First Impressions: The Entrance

Entrance is the first physical touchpoint in your customer’s journey. The entrance is often the first physical touchpoint in your customer’s journey. We strategically plan your entrance and set the tone for the entire experience. This could include branded signage, welcoming lobby designs, and thoughtful décor that immediately conveys the brand's personality. As an Office space design agency, we emphasize creating entrances to make sure that your customers have a positive and long-lasting impression of your brand.

Navigation and wayfinding

The easier it is to locate, the more satisfied your customer will be. As experts in spatial design, we use different methods to make clear and intuitive navigation essential in any branded space. We ensure that we provide effective wayfinding for customers to find their way. This also enhances the overall experience of your customer by reducing stress and frustration in locating. To provide this easy wayfinding, we implement signage, digital displays, and interactive maps that can all be branded to reinforce the company's identity while guiding customers through the space.

Engagement Zones

Engagement zones are an important and integral part of experience centres. We design the finest experience centres that always tell the brand story with a unique narrative that involves interaction, brand values, and heritage. We carefully design these spaces for your customers to see, wait for, and invest their time in. This is possible for us because of our deep understanding of culture, brands, and consumer science.

In a retail environment, these might be product displays and demo areas. In an office, there could be collaborative workspaces or relaxation areas. A small office space design can incorporate engagement zones that maximize the use of limited space while still delivering a branded experience.

Consistency and Cohesion

Consistency is key in space branding. We make a strategic approach that aligns every element, from the colour scheme and furniture to the lighting and artwork. We make sure that all the spatial designs created by us should work together to create a cohesive brand experience. This consistency helps reinforce the brand message and makes the journey more memorable.

Conclusion

Space branding is a vital component of customer journey mapping. By partnering with Interics Designs as your space branding agency or office space design agency, your businesses can create environments that enhance every stage of the customer journey. From first impressions to well-designed spaces, they can leave lasting impressions, foster brand loyalty, and ultimately drive business success.

Whether you’re a large corporation or a small business, investing in space branding is an investment in your brand’s future. By thoughtfully designing your physical spaces, we can turn every customer interaction into an opportunity to strengthen your brand and build lasting relationships.

[mediaheights]

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[thepastisalreadywritten]

[dartpvtltd]

Calming Colors: An Underrated Retail Design Strategy!

Looking for immersive retail design ways that can help you transform your retail store into a sanctuary of calm? Calming colours might prove to be the best visual merchandising strategy for you.

Click the below-mentioned link and read our latest LinkedIn article in order to discover how implementing a relaxing tone in a retail store can help retail brands relax the senses of visitors, enhance customer experience, and boost engagement.

Explore: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mindful-retail-store-layout-design-utilizing-power-calming-s0mfc/

[visionboardstudio01]

Vision Board Studio offers visual merchandising services in Mumbai, specializing in creating captivating window displays. Building trust and recognition in the market is crucial for a business to succeed. This can be achieved through developing a retail identity design that sets the brand apart in the industry and creates a lasting impression in the minds of its customers. If you want retail identity design services, please visit our website or contact us today.

[aeth-eris]

★ how to maximize profits via 2nd house ★

aries in the 2nd house can maximize profits by capitalizing on their entrepreneurial drive and competitive spirit. aries benefits from fast-paced, high-energy ventures where they can lead and make quick decisions. they might excel by launching a fitness training program, offering personal coaching services, or starting a motivational brand that sells products like athletic apparel, energy drinks, or performance gear. aries could also find success with subscription boxes focused on high-adrenaline hobbies like hiking, martial arts, or adventure sports. by embracing ventures that allow them to innovate quickly and take the lead, aries can build profitable businesses that leverage their passion and high energy.

taurus in the 2nd house is well-suited for steady financial growth through high-quality, long-term investments and products. they thrive in businesses that emphasize luxury, beauty, and quality, such as a high-end skincare line, organic foods business, or eco-friendly clothing brand. taurus could also consider starting a boutique furniture store that sells artisan-crafted or vintage items, as they appreciate products with enduring value. with their talent for creating a comforting atmosphere, taurus might excel with a bed and breakfast, a spa, or a wellness center that offers relaxation services. taurus maximizes profits by focusing on products that prioritize quality and offer a luxurious experience, appealing to clients who value longevity and craftsmanship.

gemini in the 2nd house can boost profits by tapping into their adaptability and communication skills, especially in diverse, mentally stimulating fields. they could thrive by starting a digital marketing agency, offering copywriting or editing services, or launching an online course platform that covers a wide range of topics to cater to curious minds. with their natural social skills, gemini could also excel in creating a networking app or social media consulting service. offering services like translation, podcasting, or even freelance journalism can keep income flowing, as gemini is well-suited to manage multiple streams of revenue. their knack for curiosity-driven ventures and networking makes them ideal for businesses that involve idea-sharing, quick adaptability, and community engagement.

cancer in the 2nd house can increase earnings by focusing on nurturing and emotionally resonant businesses that bring comfort to others. they might start a home-cooked meal delivery service, a childcare center, or a family-focused event planning service that organizes intimate gatherings like birthdays and reunions. cancer could also do well in real estate, particularly with home staging or property management that emphasizes creating warm, inviting spaces. they could excel in interior decorating, especially with a focus on cozy, family-oriented spaces, or start a handcrafted candle or blanket line. by building businesses that revolve around care, comfort, and family, cancer can create loyal clients and establish long-term success through emotional connections.

leo in the 2nd house maximizes profits by showcasing their creativity and leadership, often excelling in businesses that allow them to stand out and build a brand. leo could find success with a personal brand consultancy, fashion line, or luxury event planning business. they might enjoy launching a social media channel focused on lifestyle or self-improvement, where they can attract sponsorships or sell branded merchandise. leo also thrives in roles where they can influence and inspire others, so they might consider starting a motivational speaking business, an acting or dance academy, or a high-end boutique. with their flair for self-expression, leo profits best when they create high-quality, visually captivating products and services that let their star power shine through.

virgo in the 2nd house finds financial success through practical, detail-oriented services that provide high value and efficiency. they excel in businesses that involve organization, health, and precision, such as financial consulting, tax preparation, or a personal organizing service. virgo might also thrive with a nutrition or wellness coaching business, offering tailored health plans or holistic products like herbal supplements or self-care kits. a digital bookkeeping service, copyediting business, or virtual assistant agency could also bring them steady profits, as virgo’s meticulous nature appeals to clients who seek reliability and structure. by focusing on services that emphasize quality and organization, virgo builds a reputation for excellence that attracts a steady client base.

libra in the 2nd house can increase earnings by leveraging their skills in diplomacy, aesthetics, and partnerships. they could start a wedding planning business, a floral design company, or a luxury lifestyle brand that sells carefully curated home décor items. libra would also excel in public relations consulting or brand management roles, where they can help clients present a refined, balanced image. creating a high-end art gallery, a boutique law firm, or a relationship coaching service could also align well with libra’s skills. libra thrives in partnership-focused ventures, so building collaborative business models or co-founding a business with others can also enhance their profitability and bring a sense of harmony to their financial life.

scorpio in the 2nd house maximizes profits by tapping into their ability to handle intensity and complexity, often succeeding in fields like finance, psychology, and research. scorpio could build wealth by creating a private investigation firm, a psychotherapy practice, or a financial planning service specializing in wealth management or estate planning. they might also thrive in real estate investment, particularly with properties that need transformation, such as flipping houses or managing rental properties. scorpio may also excel in businesses related to holistic healing, offering reiki or shadow work coaching. by focusing on industries that require trust, depth, and resilience, scorpio can attract clients who value privacy and are willing to invest in transformational services.

sagittarius in the 2nd house can increase profits by embracing their love for adventure, growth, and education. they could launch a travel agency specializing in unique cultural experiences, a language learning platform, or a motivational speaking business that offers courses and workshops. sagittarius could also thrive by creating a publishing company focused on philosophical or inspirational content or starting a tour guiding business for international destinations. their enthusiasm for knowledge makes them great at teaching, so they might consider offering online courses or starting a coaching business in a field they’re passionate about. by aligning with growth-oriented ventures, sagittarius can attract an audience that values inspiration and big-picture thinking.

capricorn in the 2nd house maximizes profits through disciplined, long-term planning and a practical approach to business. they’re well-suited for businesses like a corporate consulting firm, project management agency, or investment portfolio service. capricorn could also do well in real estate development, particularly with rental properties or commercial buildings. they might find success by starting a financial advisory firm or creating a luxury goods company focused on high-end, timeless products like leather goods or fine jewelry. by aligning with industries that reward patience and professionalism, capricorn can build a solid financial foundation and enjoy steady growth, often seeing long-term success through conservative but reliable investments.

aquarius in the 2nd house can increase profits by focusing on innovation, technology, and humanitarian ventures. they might launch a tech startup, a renewable energy company, or a social media platform that prioritizes community and ethical interaction. aquarius could also find success with a nonprofit organization focused on social justice, an eco-friendly product line, or a collaborative workspace for creatives and freelancers. their futuristic mindset makes them perfect for ventures in artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, or virtual reality. by aligning their finances with progressive and forward-thinking industries, aquarius can attract clients and customers who value innovation and social impact.

pisces in the 2nd house maximizes profits by leaning into their creativity, compassion, and spirituality. they may thrive in a music or art therapy practice, a spiritual coaching business, or a holistic wellness center that offers services like yoga, meditation, and crystal healing. pisces could also succeed by creating a boutique art studio, a dream journal line, or a subscription service for wellness products like essential oils, herbal teas, and calming rituals. they’re drawn to businesses that help others heal or connect with their inner selves, so they may also find success in fields like astrology, psychic readings, or intuitive counseling. by aligning with businesses that emphasize emotional well-being and creativity, pisces can build a profitable venture that resonates deeply with clients who seek personal and spiritual growth.

[yertooweb]

Create A Perfect Image For Your Company With Brand Design

Brand design is an essential element of any business. It is the visual representation of your company and it tells a story about your brand. It is the first impression that customers have of your business and it should create an emotional connection between your business and your customers. From logos to website design to office space, everything should be carefully crafted to create a perfect image for your company. In this article, we will discuss the importance of brand design and provide tips on how to create a perfect image for your company with brand design.

Brand Design is a powerful tool for transforming a company’s image. It helps create a strong and consistent identity that allows a business to stand out from the competition and make a lasting impression on customers. A well-crafted brand design allows a company to communicate its values and purpose, creating a stronger connection with its target audience. With a smart brand design strategy, businesses build loyalty and trust among customers, making it easier to gain new customers and drive growth.

Yertoo Brand Agency India is the perfect choice for creating a perfect image for your company. With the expertise in brand design, Yertoo brand agency India can help develop a strategy that accurately reflects your company’s values and mission, while also cultivating a positive brand perception. Yertoo’steam of professionals has the experience necessary to develop an effective brand identity that will resonate with your target audience. They understand how to create an image that stands out and they are experts in creating modern and professional designs. With their help, you can ensure that your company is represented accurately and to bring real benefits.

In conclusion, creating the perfect image for your company is an essential part of any branding strategy. With the right help and expertise, it can be a rewarding process that brings results and long-term value. The team of professionals at Yertoo Brand Design Company are highly skilled and experienced in developing powerful brand identities that speak to your target audience. By investing in their services, you can guarantee success in creating an impactful and effective brand image for your company.

[smartexhibitiondesign]

TIME EFFICIENT DELIVERIES THROUGH DESIGN PROCESS

At the beginning of any new design project, the excitement is contagious. Being in the creative field, each team and each team member has countless ideas and different visions for the project. For any creative branding agency to be able to come up with an accurate solution, Design Process is a must. 

Each project, especially large-scale projects with a bigger number of deliverables must have a pre-decided methodology which is to be followed. 

What is a Design Process?

 Space Design projects require separate teams with distinct qualifications and equally important roles to come up with a concept for the space. Each role requires a process to be followed. The processes followed by each team should be collaborated for an aesthetic and timely design delivery. 

The standardization and documentation of these processes at every level which is to be followed by each team is a Design Process.

 The importance of the Design Process 

An efficient design process is a methodology that helps simplify large complex processes into easy smaller stages for a time efficient delivery. Other than providing a structure, a design process also helps maintain and augment the quality of the work produced. 

A few other benefits of following a structured design process are: 

-Enhance collaborative working

Regular and to-the-point communication with the client ensures a brief with clarity and keeps the client in loop throughout the design process. 

-Ensure Good Quality Designs

A structured design process ensures apt research and a well-grounded brief which helps avoid confusion. This helps the creative team to give their best and achieve a new benchmark for quality. 

-Fool proof delivery

Following a design process results in 

-Time efficient delivery

Through efficient collaborative efforts and avoiding mistakes and rework, a design process ensures on-time, high-calibre deliveries. 

-Precise communication

Design Process helps the design team to come up with exact designs based on the expectations of the client. This avoids both underachieving and overachieving the expected standard. 

Our Methodology 

Interics designs being one of the topmost brand design agencies for almost 3 decades has articulated a fool-proof methodology fine tuned over the years of experience. 

We start with simultaneous procedures of a detailed space analysis along with an in-depth brand research and market research. 

The team then creates a spatial theme/ story to unite all zones of the space and promote brand enriched content. 

The next step is content mapping where the space is divided within zones and further divided into individual touch points. Brand related/ Theme related content is then assigned to each individual touch point. 

Then the touch points are designed with theme related graphics. Installations, signage’s and interiors. 

Interics then refers to the huge global and local network of production experts and vendors to find accurate and cost-effective execution partners for the project. 

Coordination with separate vendors for each type of touch point, planning a timeline for the execution and finally application of the prints and installations in the space is the final step. 

Our Experience 

Interics recently worked on a large-scale space design project with an uncompromising timeline. The project included space design strategy, graphic design strategy, and signage strategy. Each of these deliverables required a separate expertise and had a team designated for these deliverables. 

The project was at a construction stage while team Interics was working on the designs. Interics created separate communication systems with the client as well as a timeline for internal communication among the teams. The timeline included weekly internal meetings as well as weekly progress reports with the client. This ruled out any scope for confusion and miscommunication.

 The first step of the design process which is the Space analysis happened simultaneously with the in-depth brand research. This was possible due to the correct division of teams according to the expertise of each member. 

The teams together then came up with a theme – Layered excellence which was then translated into a design language used across graphics, installations and signage’s in the interior, exterior and the factory premises. 

After developing brand enriched and aesthetic designs, the designs were explained and shared with our network of vendors and production sources which made the pre-production files working easy. 

The design process developed over years of experience helped Interics deliver yet another successful space design project. 

 Conclusion 

Being an International design Consultancy, Interics Designs provides both time-efficient and cost-efficient solutions for all space design needs. 

Contact INSpaces for all international exhibition stall design, spatial branding and corporate office branding needs. INSpaces is a specialized division of Interics Designs - a renowned creative design agency in India, Branding agency and Brand design agency- with enormous experience in Brand Strategy, Brand Image Building, Graphic Design, and Environment Branding. Pay a visit to INSpaces’ splendid portfolio at www.smartexhibitiondesign.com.

[shreyaexopic]

[stillgotscars]

maybe it’s just me, but expecting taylor to have come out with a statement already is a bit insensitive. this entire situation — knowing her concerts were the target of a thwarted terrorist attack, knowing thousands of people came close to being physically harmed or losing their lives — is terrifying, and would be difficult for anyone to grapple with. for all we know, intelligence agencies may have advised her to not say anything right now in order to keep herself, her team, and all of us safe. first and foremost, please keep in mind that she’s taylor, an actual human being before she’s taylor swift, the brand. give her some much-needed space to process this and sort through her emotions. if you think she doesn’t care, you don’t know her well at all.

[askmrtorgue]

HEY! YOU THERE! WANT TO PLAY A TABLETOP ADVENTURE WITH A PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLER?

I'M MISTER TORGUE, AND THE NERD WHO HELPS ME LOG INTO THIS ACCOUNT ASKED ME TO DO AN AD FOR HIS SERVICES. I TOLD HIM I WOULD, BUT ONLY IF I GOT TO WRITE IT MYSELF. SO STRAP IN, DUMPSUCKS. IT'S PRODUCT PLACEMENT TIME:

--

DO YOU WANT TO PLAY DUNGEONS & DRAGONS BUT YOU CAN'T FIND SOMEONE TO RUN YOUR GAMES?

ARE YOU FED UP WITH A GAME MASTER WHO WON'T LET YOU STRAIGHT-UP MAKE OUT WITH THE VILLAINS OF THEIR STORY?

DO YOU WANT WANT TO LEARN TABLETOP RPGS BUT EVERYONE WHO TRIES TO EXPLAIN IT USES THINGS LIKE MATH AND SPREADSHEETS AND YOU CAN'T STOP THEM BECAUSE FATAL SUPLEXES ARE ILLEGAL ON YOUR PLANET?

THEN YOU NEED BENCOMPETENCE, PROFESSIONAL STORYTELLER AND GAME MASTER.

BRAOOWWWWW-CHICKABRAOW EXPLOSION NOISE HEREEEEEEEE!

BENCOMPETENCE HAS RUN OVER 100 PROFESSIONAL GAMES OF TABLETOP GAMES, INCLUDING DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, CITY OF MIST AND MORE. HE HAS 100% POSITIVE REVIEWS FROM HIS CLIENTS, WHICH IS PROBABLY MORE THAN 34%.

NOT ONLY DOES BEN OWN A PAIR OF CAT-EAR HEADPHONES, HE EXCELS AT RIPPING YOUR HEART STRAIGHT OUT OF ITS RIBCAGE USING NOTHING BUT COMPELLING, ROMANCEABLE CHARACTERS AND BADASS EPIC ADVENTURES. IN FACT, EVEN HIS VILLAINS ARE SEXY AS F*CK. JUST CHECK OUT THIS VAMPIRE FROM ONE OF HIS CAMPAIGNS:

THIS DEATH DADDY IS ABSOLUTELY ABOUT TO KILL ME AND I DON'T GIVEN EVEN A SINGLE F*CK.

NOT YOUR STYLE? NO PROBLEM, PLAYER, HE ALSO OFFERS TERRIFYING MURDER MOMMIES!

THIS WOMAN COULD DRINK MY BLOOD AND I WOULD SAY "THANK YOU"

OR MAYBE IT'S TIME TO EMBRACE EVERYONE'S TRUE SECRET DESIRE:

BE A MAGICAL GIRL THAT'S BAD AT ROMANCE!!!

BENCOMPETENCE ALSO HAS THIRSTY SWORD LESBIANS, A GAME ABOUT BADASS SWORDFIGHTS AND WARFARE IN THE GREATEST BATTLEFIELD OF ALL: THE HEART

WHEN OH WHEN WILL THESE TWO INCREDIBLE WOMEN ADMIT THEIR FEELINGS FOR ONE ANOTHER!??!!?

OR MAYBE YOU WANT TO KICK ASS, PACIFIST STYLE, IN THE NEW BLUE BOX ADVENTURES?!

TIME TO GO HIGH FIVE A DINOSAUR AND MAKE OUT WITH ALIENS!!!

BENCOMPETENCE'S GAMES ARE INCLUSIVE AF AND BEGINNER-FRIENDLY, BECAUSE GATEKEEPING IS FOR SH*THEELS AND TRASHGUZZLERS. WHETHER YOU'RE BRAND NEW OR HAVE PLAYED A QUILLION SESSIONS, YOU WILL BE RIGHT AT HOME. ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT YOU GET IN THERE AND KICK THE NARRATIVE'S ASS RIGHT IN ITS D*CK.

HE EVEN HOSTS SEMINARS THAT TEACH YOU TO BE A BETTER ROLEPLAYER OR GAME MASTER!!

HE ALSO ASKED ME TO TELL YOU THAT SESSION 0'S ARE FREE, AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT MEANS!

WANT TO JOIN A TABLE? THEN LISTEN UP, F*CKTRUCKS, BECAUSE IT'S LIST TIME:

FIGHT OR MAYBE MAKE OUT WITH HOT EVIL VAMPIRES IN CURSE OF STRAHD (NOW AVAILABLE IN DEATH DADDY AND MURDER MOMMY)

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JOIN THIRSTY SWORD LESBIANS AND BE AS BAD AT ROMANCE AS YOU ARE GOOD AT KICKING ASS

JUMP INTO THE BLUE BOX AND EXPLORE ALL OF TIME AND SPACE

SOMETHING ABOUT LEARNING HOW TO BE A BETTER ROLEPLAYER IN A PERSONALIZED LECTURE

THERE'S A LOT MORE TO SAY, BUT THE NERD WRITING THIS SCRIPT STARTED TALKING ABOUT CHARACTER SHEETS AND SOMETHING CALLED NARRATIVE AGENCY, SO I HAD TO BEAT HIM WITH A FOLDING CHAIR UNTIL HE STOPPED. YOU CAN HELP PAY FOR THE BODYCAST I PUT HIM IN BY SIGNING UP TODAY!

END OF ADVERTISEMENT.

[dartpvtltd]

Visual Identity Design

Looking for excellent Visual Identity Design? Contact D'Art Design, a well-known brand identity design agency offering retail identity design services both in India and globally. We help brands communicate the right message to the right audience across the right channels, ensuring your brand stands out and connects effectively.

[visionboardstudio01]

Vision Board Studio is a visual merchandising agency based in Mumbai. We provide window display and retail design services to create captivating customer experiences. Visual merchandising is the key to crafting immersive customer experiences. For further details, please visit our website or contact us.

[karvroom]

SECRET SANTA

hawks x reader

⟢ in which, your secret santa at the office takes it to a whole new level of gift giving. as an arising hero working under Hawks for guidance, you learn that work doesn’t have to be all dull and boring.

December 10th

“The jig is up. She totally knows it’s you.” Mirko chuckled at her feathered friend, showing no mercy in her mockery. Her legs swung as she sat on his desk, using her hands to prop herself up. “You know what she told me? “It’s only day 10–he’s not very slick”.”

Hawks watched as Mirko threw her head back in laughter. In all honesty, what did Hawks expect? You were the agency’s smartest player in the field—predicting every case’s outcome with spot on details that only the perpetrators could know. You were truly incredible.

“She does not.” Hawks rolled his eyes in disbelief at the statement, leaning back in his office chair with his hands behind his head as he closed his eyes, tilting his head up toward the ceiling. He was confident in his capabilities of sly work, until he began to think. Could you really have found out it was him? But, how? Hawks took all the precautions to an extreme extent when it came to the gift giving. The blonde opened one eye, looking to Mirko, “Does she really?”

In response, Mirko nodded her head, pushing herself office the side of Hawks’ desk and walking toward the exit. Hawks observed, waiting for a final word; anticipating a sly comment of some sort from her.

“(Y/N)’s excited for tomorrow.”

December 17th

Despite Hawks’ defeat to your deduction abilities, he continued leaving gifts at your desk every morning. Every gift became more elaborate: on day one, it was flowers (your favorite). Day five, a necklace. Day eleven, a basket of perfume and your favorite makeup brands. And finally, day seventeen, two tickets to your favorite band’s performance the upcoming week.

You and the winged hero sat across from one another as you aimlessly scrolled through work emails. It wasn’t unusual for you two to sit in silence while completing paperwork—it was a daily ritual for you at this point.

It was always Hawks going to your office, laptop in hand and a cheeky grin plastered across his face. He’d plop himself in the seat across from you at your desk, opening his laptop and start answering emails regarding interviews, hero work, etc.

When you came across an email reminding you of the concert, you remembered you still needed to take the time off. You slowly brought your laptop to a 45 degree, making eye contact with Hawks as you did so. “Hey, I’m going to put in a requ—“

“Already done. December 28th, right?”

Hawks couldn’t make it anymore obvious that it was him.

You slowly nodded your head, trying to hold back your all-knowing giggles from escaping. Though it was difficult with his golden eyes watching you, scanning you every once in a while. Anytime Hawks could, he’d take a gander of all of you; normally, eye contact wouldn’t be a difficult task for him, but when it came to you, he couldn’t help but allow his gaze to linger all over.

You had noticed and you liked it. You liked the attention. Usually, you wouldn’t care who looked at you in what way, but you made an effort to take mental notes of the way Hawks looked at you. His facial expressions, where his eyes wandered, his body language—it was all positive.

“Well, it’s more than that.” Hawks tilted his head in curiosity, prompting you to move forward with your thoughts. “I have two tickets—would you want to go with me?”

Hawks cleared his throat and nearly choked, surprised by the generous offer. After all, he had gotten those tickets for you and someone you wanted to bring along, but he didn’t expect that someone to be him. Had he thought of the scenario in his head? Seeing you all dolled up in your outside-of-work attire—he had dreams about it. If you were a sight for sore eyes now, he couldn’t imagine how he would feel outside of the work space.

“I’ll think about it.” The blonde declared, attempting to fool you with a playing-hard-to-get facade. Hawks couldn’t allow himself to seem too eager to go on an outing with you.

He had imagined this thousands of times. A life with you outside of work—as creepy as it sounds, he thought it was more bittersweet. His imagination didn’t run too wild, just a string of dates and whatnot.

“Think I can get an answer by Christmas?” You asked, shutting your laptop completely as you sunk into your rolling chair comfortably.

Hawks copied your movement, closing his computer and stretching his arms high above his head. The bottom of his shirt lifted slightly, giving you a glimpse of his abs beneath his compression shirt. He took note of your staring.

“So demanding.” The hero slumped in the chair, leaning back into the cushioned seat. Hawks’ playful tone filled the atmosphere, “Since when were you the boss lady?”

You shrugged, crossing your arms over your chest, “Since I have to work on Christmas all because of your doing. The least you can do is give me an answer in advance.”

Unfortunately, you were scheduled to go assess prisoners on Christmas day when you could’ve been at home relaxing.

“Oh, come on, it won’t be that bad. Plus, you get to see me.” Hawks spoke, a sly smile accompanying his words.

“Yeah, you and mind numbing criminals. My favorite combination.” You rolled your eyes, averting your gaze to the deep blue night sky outside your window, dotted with white specks that were nearly invisible by the city’s light pollution.

Hawks could sense your frustration behind the humorous comments you were making. He felt a tinge in his chest, feeling guilty for your emotions.

“Why don’t I take you out to dinner after work on Christmas, then? Will that make up for it?”

Your eyes widened at the peculiar offer. The foreign invite from Hawks sparked something in you. Flattery? Curiosity? Whatever it was, it made the little voice in the back of your head gnaw at you, telling you to do it. Wouldn’t it be unprofessional of you? What would his bosses say? Inviting an employee to a non-work related event.

Hawks couldn’t read your mind, but he could read your expression pretty well. He could tell you were shocked by the personal request. To be quite honest, he liked that. Hawks liked the spontaneous factors played into his life, and you happened to be one of them.

The higher ups suddenly alerted him of a new hiree he would be receiving at his agency. “Great,” was all he could think of with an eye roll. Hawks was never one for teaching others. Whenever he hired someone, he made sure that they were capable of all tasks he asked of them—he was strict on that policy. Part of it was because he had no time for it, but the other half was his impatience.

However, when he first met you, he didn’t feel impatient or frustrated with your work ethic. In fact, he was afraid to admit you worked harder and faster than him. That’s why Hawks was so infatuated with you. You went at his exact pace—which was never matched by anyone ever.

“Dinner and milkshakes.” You added, only agreeing to going out with him if a sweet treat was added in.

Hawks chuckled, “Alright, now you’re milking it.”

You looked at him with a serious expression, an awful attempt to state your point. Hawks eventually gave in from just seeing you and your poor attitude.

“Fine.” Hawks stood from his chair, towering over your desk. You found it intimidating, but in a way that you were encaptured by his essence.

You couldn’t care less about your small victory at the moment, you were more focused on maintaining eye contact with the man. You could feel your breathing become more erratic the longer you stared. He was making you nervous.

Hawks had to hold himself back from you. He was afraid to keep eye contact, but failed to look away anytime his brain signaled him to. The heaviness in the room remained at a standstill still. There had always been tension between you two. Ever since you started working at the agency; though you innocently thought it was the work environment. It was different, this strain was thick.

The intimacy was finally cut once there was a knock at your office door. You quickly straightened up in your chair while Hawks returned to his laid-back self.

“So dinner and milkshakes?” You asked, looking between Hawks and the door before finally settling your gaze on the man in front of you. He nodded in response, to which you responded, “Great.”

As Hawks turned toward the door, he spoke over his shoulder, something you could barely hear. However, the message was loud and clear in your head as to what Hawks wanted out of this partnership.

“It’s a date.”

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a/n: hi, happy holidays everyone !! it’s been awhile, but i had a post idea and basically did a word vomite here and this is what i came up with. if you guys want a part 2 let me know !!

[thealexchen]

thoughts on LIS: Double Exposure?

This is probably gonna be my hottest take in awhile, but: I deeply dislike the idea of an official LiS1 direct sequel game existing. Excluding all my thoughts on the gameplay, story, Max's character, etc. I don't think a game like Double Exposure is necessary.

This isn't a new take either; back in 2020 I made a Reddit post saying I was glad we never got a continuation of Max and Chloe's story, because in order to have a plot, you have to have conflict. And to have conflict means your characters are forced to change or struggle in some way, and I simply wasn't interested in seeing that again. I never even read the comics. As long as Max and Chloe's future existed only in the fanbase's collective imagination and not in an officially licensed game, Pricefield could be as happy as I wanted and I wouldn't have to witness DN or D9's version of canon.

A lot of fans, including myself, are also confused and upset as to where Chloe could be in Double Exposure. Even if Chloe winds up having a surprise role, it would likely be too logistically difficult to write Chloe into one version of the story and not the other. Either way, DE is strongly pointing to Chloe no longer being the deuteragonist. If D9 was going to make a direct sequel with Max and Chloe, I could at least be intrigued by how they might write their dynamic and how they'd use Max's power in new and interesting ways. But instead there's... none of that. Chloe's nowhere to be seen and Max can't time travel anymore.

On a narrative level, Max and Chloe are the heart of the original Life is Strange. They represent the game's central relationship, and their very first interaction (Max saving Chloe's life) kicks off the entire story. Throughout the story, their dynamic advances the plot and mutually motivates their character arcs. You can't have LiS1 without either Max or Chloe; the story simply wouldn't exist without them. Now in DE, they don't even seem to be in each other's lives anymore. It's true, this series is meant to reflect universal feelings and experiences, which could include breakups, but the romantic catharsis of Pricefield as canon soulmates who defied time and space itself to stay together forever is something you can only get from the beauty of fiction. To jab DE's story with a dose of reality and go, "Eh, they grew apart. Shit happens," totally undermines everything the Bae ending stood for.

On a technical level, Max's rewind was an objectively brilliant game mechanic. LiS1 arrived onto the scene after Telltale had paved the way for the resurgence of choice-based, episodic games, but LiS1 totally reinvented the wheel by giving the player the option to go back and weigh each option before continuing, essentially save-scumming in-game. But the right choice was never that easy to determine, and Rewind brilliantly complemented Max's character arc of overcoming her indecision and learning to live with her choices. Not to mention, you could also use Rewind to solve puzzles, instead of the endless fetch quests the later games had. No other LiS game since then has given the player that kind of agency and interactivity. LiS2 had telekinesis, but the player couldn't use it, only Daniel. D9 tried with Backtalk and Empathy, but Max's Rewind was truly the narrative and gameplay jackpot that they haven't been able to recreate since.

So if you take away one half of the central relationship that made the first game so memorable, and the supernatural power/game mechanic that made it so fun to play... why even bring Max back at all? It just feels like D9 threw away their golden opportunity to build upon the major selling points of the first game and are only relying on name recognition of the Life is Strange "brand" and Max Caulfield.

What upsets me most of all about a direct sequel existing is that it proves that Life is Strange, as a series, now stands more for profits than originality. Life is Strange will always be an IP meant to make money for Square, I know that, but back when LiS1 was just a brand new episodic game, it stood out for how different it dared to be. In a landscape saturated with shooters, sexualized female characters, and casual misogyny, LiS1 instead featured a teenage girl in a contemporary setting that took her seriously and made her the hero of her story. Before it was a franchise, LiS wasn't concerned with the bottom dollar; it was a piece of art that just wanted to tell a thoughtful, unique story.

Whether you love it or hate it, Life is Strange 2 was an insanely risky follow-up to Life is Strange that refused to rely on the convenience of a direct sequel because Dontnod stuck to their artistic vision. Meanwhile, all of Deck Nine's games have leaned on the first game's following to generate interest (BtS being a direct prequel, TC bringing back Steph, and Wavelengths expanding on Steph's connection to Chloe, Rachel, and Arcadia Bay). In other words, all of the subsequent LiS games by D9 have played it very, very safe. It's worked like a damn charm because there are still elements I love about each game, but the basic principle is nostalgia-baiting fans. It's just that now, Double Exposure isn't hiding that nostalgia bait at all anymore and prioritizing profits over telling a unique story. It's sad to see that LiS has strayed so far from its risky, daring, original, and unique artistic beginnings.

Before I end, I'll say that I can't be too cynical about it all, nor do I want to be. Because I can't deny how much joy this whole series has brought me, too. LiS was what got me into narrative adventure games and pushed the boundaries of what a video game could be. If nothing else, I am truly thrilled that Hannah Telle got the chance to play Max again. D9's always been great at maintaining relationships with their actors, and the casts of their games always have consistently great chemistry. Getting recognized by Erika Mori on my own blog is still unbelievable and speaks to the amazing community that LiS has built. As you can see, I'm still posting and reblogging stuff about Double Exposure. And while I don't see myself buying or playing this game for myself, I know it'll keep all of us talking for awhile, and I still live for a good discussion.

Thank you for asking! And thank you for reading.