We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Allen International about their original and creative Technology bank design work. Allen International is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original technology bank works.
Allen International ("AI") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Absa Technology bank. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
AI : To help position Absa as the 'market leader' in South Africa and provide various customers segments with new ways of banking.
AI : Showcasing the 'best that Absa has to offer' in terms of innovative and intuitive technology and customer interaction.
AI : The new 'laboratory' branch is going to continually evolve - plans are afoot to create an area in-branch where Absa's customers and clients can come together and benefit from each other, almost like a physical Groupon, using Absa's business connections as well as customer base and creating value for every party.
AI : It was commissioned by Absa South Africa.
AI : We were very keen to use local furniture manufacturers as a showcase of the high quality local talent eg. Haldane Martin and use this 'local' talent as inspiration for our graphics, materials etc.
AI : Various customer segments from within the South African market from the underbanked to middle segments and private banking section.
AI : It is a glimpse of the future of retail banking in South Africa. It is tangible evidence of what Absa customers have said they want. The Branch of Tomorrow, Today shows that Absa is actively listening and responding to these customers and finding ways to meet their needs through simple and innovative banking solutions. As we set out to design the branch it was conceptualised as a test pad that would ' mean different things to different customers'.
AI : Laboratory high tech branch
AI : The new branch offers customers several self-service portals. Technology is a key element and the branch's visual presentation, alongside the use of digital media in-store is equally important.
AI : allen international design directors, interior designers and graphic designers, South African furniture designers and digital design companies.
AI : Not only as a showcase of leading technological innovation for future roll-outs to the Absa branch network but also as a showcase for community engagement and marketing promotions. Interactive screens enable customers to conduct low-complexity activities without traditional queuing thus making banking that much easier.
AI : A branch and competitor audit was completed during our strategy phase of the project.
AI : Entered last year and won A design award
