Swinburne launches _now store retail incubation space for student and alumni entrepreneurs via Deloitte Digital

A new store has opened at Swinburne University of Technology’s Hawthorn campus to showcasing products, merchandise and work from Swinburne students, alumni and teams, developed by Deloitte Digital.

The _now store brings Swinburne’s new ‘next gen_now’ brand to life by giving students, alumni and staff brands a chance to increase their exposure through a brick-and-mortar retail space. It also features Swinburne’s new next gen_now merchandise and a boutique selection of well-known products from alumni companies, such as reusable water bottles from memobottle, environmentally friendly straws from Little Green Panda and digital art from DG DESIGNS.

Says Dominique Gauci, Swinburne bachelor of design (communication design) alum and founder of DG DESIGNS: “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to showcase my business. DG DESIGNS evolved based on the skills I acquired through my years at Swinburne. It’s great to continue a relationship with the university that helped me get to where I am today.

“As for the store, it looks amazing. It truly exceeded my expectations in terms of the fit out – very New York warehouse meets industrial chic. Friends and family will definitely pay a visit once the semester starts up.”

Says Matt Lawson, chief creative officer Deloitte Digital APAC: “It’s always great to move beyond brand manifesto toward brand manifestation, and really walk the walk, but in this instance it’s especially useful. We wanted to provide a platform to showcase the current ‘next gen’ thinking and design that would also act as a new revenue stream for both students and University. And it’s incredible what Swinburne have built using their collective capabilities. It’s a showcase in its own right.”

Importantly, the _now store has been designed and developed by Swinburne visual merchandising, marketing and communications, interior design and product design students as an incubator for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Says vice-chancellor professor Pascale Quester: “The _now store is a champion of the cutting-edge technology, innovation and entrepreneurship Swinburne students, alumni and staff are renowned for.

“Swinburne’s goal is for every Swinburne tertiary and vocational graduate, including our alumni, to be a job taker or a job creator in a future world of work. We are committed to doing things differently. The _now store is a prototype for career support for our talented and innovative entrepreneurs.”