Pharmetics Dispensary

Prototype Retail and Service Environment (USA) 1998-2000
Commercial Graphics Research Speculative Urbanism Studies

Pharmetics Dispensary investigates the pharmacy, the business of beauty, and health-care related practices through the development of a prototype commercial environment. Recent shifts in the everyday perceptions of professional identities, products, and services in pharmacy and cosmetic practices are specifically examined to understand their legislative, cultural, technological, and economic directives. Strategic organizational and thematic combinations incorporate prescription and over-the-counter drugs, cosmetics, services, and procedures, with patients (consumers) and health-care professionals (employees). Physical and operational relationships between people, products and information facilitate cross-industry sharing and borrowing; an exchange that will accelerate and reformat these identity shifts.

The repeat customer calls Pharmetics to place an order with a Sideline Technician for a customized topical analgesic cream, compounded with a dose of zinc and a hint of chartreuse. The prescription is mixed, labeled with the customer health care I.D. code, and stocked on the designated shifting-stock display shelf.

The Pharmetics junkie enters by the prescription counter, drops off her order and then rushes over to the shifting-stock display shelf to scan this week's customer requested product combinations - zinc with chartreuse? After picking up her prescription (a refill of Prozac blended in a translucent pink dermal stick) she checks in with the procedure technician, and goes upstairs for a two o'clock lip-flip appointment.

The new customer is greeted by a Sideline Technician who conducts a brief consultation, explaining the product/service concepts at Pharmetics. Customer purchases a trial supply of wrinkle-combating dermal eye patches and is lured to the manicure area. A clear polish blended with vitamin enriched cuticle cream is later requested.

Product Development Research Diagrams: Cosmetics - L'oreal Eye Color; Over the Counter Drugs - Ben Gay; Prescription Drugs - Viagra

Persepctive Views of Prototype Development (upper left); Product and Service Advertisements (upper right); Floor Plans (below)