By CASEY NEILL
SPRINGVALE Homemaker Centre’s vacant spaces are now bright, inviting areas.
Swinburne University of Technology students completed a ‘space activation project’ at the centre, which is home to more than 25 major homeware and furniture stores.
Springvale Homemaker Centre (SHC) gave the students a brief and asked them to come up with concepts for using idle spaces.
A house interior and exterior have been installed and fitted with different furniture and decorations from stores in the centre.
Each item has a corresponding QR code next to it so customers can find where it’s available for purchase.
A Family Photo Wall was another implemented concept.
The students filled a wall with different photo frames, and customers can submit photos of their purchases from the centre to the SHC Facebook page for a chance to appear in a frame.
SHC marketing manager Priska Budiman said the centre wanted to tap into the students’ fresh ideas.
“Activating idle spaces within the centre with engaging and interactive ideas has enabled the centre to create more of an impression on our shoppers,” she said.
“The students have really been able to capture the essence of the centre and our retailers, therefore making a deeper connection with our shoppers.
“We often see customers stop to take the time to read about what the project is all about and appreciating the works.”
The students involved are undertaking a visual merchandising diploma or a interior design and decoration diploma and were involved from conception through to display construction.
“By having the students involved from the very beginning of the project, they’ve been able to get a real insight into how the industry would usually work,” project co-ordinator and visual merchandising teacher Di Matthews said.
Student Natasha Teo said working on the project had helped prepare her for future employment.
“The confidence I have gained working alongside other designers and tradesmen is something I will take with me,” she said.
“I was treated with respect and it made me feel more like a designer and less like a student.”
Student Fiona McFarland said the project helped her understand how every step of the process occurred and worked in with the other stages.
