I'm Lucas Torresi, and after 20 years of crafting customer-centric environments for global brands, including leading store design for Starbucks across Asia Pacific for over a decade, I've seen firsthand what truly impactful design looks like. Retail design It’s not about fleeting trends; it’s about understanding the nuances of human behavior, what we call 'designing for instinct', and obsessing over impact, not just aesthetics.

My experience scaling design operations for 5,800+ stores, pioneering innovative formats, and championing sustainable design taught me how to deliver authentic, commercially smart spaces that drive behavior and build lasting business. Crucially, it also instilled a deep understanding of prioritizing the human experience, fostering environments where people genuinely connect, find community, and feel a sense of belonging. This is when striking a balance between brand DNA and local resonance becomes critical and both art and science. (And yes, along the way, I also got deeply caffeinated and seriously educated about coffee too, a happy bonus!)