The Grad Shop

The Grad Shop, located at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), is an official merchandise store that celebrates the university’s vibrant identity through a thoughtfully designed and modern commercial retail fitout. Expertly completed by Total Fitouts Sydney South East, the store is a hub for students, alumni, and visitors alike, offering a wide range of UNSW-branded products, including apparel, gifts, and graduation essentials. With a bold and contemporary commercial design, The Grad Shop creates a shopping experience that not only showcases the university’s brand but also provides functionality, comfort, and aesthetic appeal.

A Contemporary Showcase of UNSW’s Branding

The Grad Shop’s commercial design is a testament to UNSW’s brand identity, brought to life through its consistent use of the university’s official colours—vibrant yellow and deep black. These colours are featured prominently throughout the space, providing a cohesive visual theme that reinforces the university’s image. From the signage and wall accents to the merchandise displays and decorative elements, the bold palette is used effectively to make the commercial retail fitout instantly recognisable as part of the UNSW community. This seamless integration of branding ensures that customers, whether they are students or visitors, feel a strong connection to the university while exploring the store.

The large scale of The Grad Shop is one of its most distinctive features, allowing for a spacious and open layout that maximises both functionality and visual appeal.

Brett Jones, Director at Total Fitouts Sydney South East says, “This large expansive space accommodates various merchandise categories, from clothing racks and accessory displays to graduation essentials such as academic caps and stoles.”

“Despite its size, the commercial fitout maintains an inviting atmosphere, which was done through careful zoning and thoughtful design elements that guide customers through the space.”

Each section is meticulously organised to ensure a logical flow, making it easy for customers to find specific items or browse casually. This level of attention to detail is a hallmark of Total Fitouts Sydney South East, demonstrating their ability to create spaces that are as practical as they are visually appealing.

Unique Commercial Design Features

One of the standout commercial design elements in The Grad Shop is the cartoon-style wall prints and large-scale signage. These playful touches add a sense of fun and approachability to the commercial retail fitout, appealing to younger audiences, families, and even tourists visiting the university. The cartoon graphics cleverly incorporate UNSW’s branding in a modern and engaging way, celebrating the spirit of achievement, learning, and community associated with the university. These elements also serve as memorable visual markers within the store, helping customers associate the space with positive experiences.

The sleek black change rooms are another highlight of the commercial design, showcasing a minimalist yet elegant aesthetic. These change rooms feature clean lines and subtle detailing, with black panels accented by vertical slats at the top to add texture and dimension. Above the change rooms, illuminated circular LED lights provide a practical yet stylish touch, enhancing the overall modern feel of the commercial retail fitout. This design detail not only elevates the functionality of the change rooms but also ensures they blend seamlessly into the store’s overall theme.

Lighting and Ambience

Lighting plays a pivotal role in creating the inviting and polished atmosphere of the commercial retail fitout.

Brett continues, “A combination of spotlighting and ambient lighting was used to highlight key areas and products, drawing attention to the most important elements in the store. Track lighting was strategically placed to illuminate merchandise displays such as graduation gowns, academic stoles, and UNSW-branded apparel to make these items stand out to customers.”

The use of soft, even lighting across the rest of the store ensures a comfortable and welcoming shopping experience while enhancing the vibrant colours of the merchandise and decorative elements.

Another key feature is the use of natural wood flooring, which adds warmth and balance to the bold black and yellow palette. This combination of textures and tones creates a harmonious environment that feels both professional and approachable. The wooden flooring not only complements the modern aesthetic but also adds a subtle touch of sophistication, elevating the overall ambience of the commercial retail fitout.

Functional Layout and Customer Experience

The layout of The Grad Shop is carefully designed to optimise customer flow while maximising the use of space. The store is divided into clearly defined sections, with neatly arranged shelves, racks, and displays that make browsing intuitive and enjoyable.

Brett adds, “For example, one section is dedicated to apparel, including graduation gowns, academic caps, and branded clothing, all displayed on open shelving and wall-mounted racks. This setup helped not only save space but also provides a clear view of the products. This allowed customers to easily find what they are looking.”

The commercial retail fitout’s large scale also allows for the inclusion of unique and playful elements, such as UNSW-branded teddy bears and colourful academic stoles. These items are prominently displayed on accessible shelves, inviting customers to interact with them. The inclusion of these whimsical products adds a sense of fun and charm to the store, appealing to customers of all ages and making the shopping experience more engaging.

The service area, located near the front of the store, is another standout feature. This sleek reception area is framed by vertical black slats that match the design of the change rooms, creating a sense of continuity throughout the space. The clean lines and understated elegance of this area make it a focal point of the store, reinforcing its modern aesthetic. Adjacent to the service area is a display of smaller, more delicate items, housed in illuminated glass shelving. This setup not only protects the products but also showcases them beautifully, adding a touch of luxury to the overall design in the commercial retail fitout.

Brand-Centric Visual Appeal

Every aspect of the commercial retail fitout design is centred around celebrating UNSW’s brand identity. The cartoon-style wall prints and oversized signage are not only visually striking but also create an engaging shopping environment that resonates with the university’s youthful and vibrant community. These design features are complemented by the bold colour palette, effective lighting, and thoughtful layout, ensuring that the store is a true reflection of UNSW’s values and spirit.

The large-scale signage and vibrant colours are particularly effective in reinforcing the brand’s presence within the space. Whether it’s the bold yellow accents or the playful graphics, these elements work together to create a memorable and visually captivating environment. The attention to detail in every aspect of the commercial design—from the shelving and displays to the flooring and lighting—ensures that customers are immersed in the UNSW experience from the moment they enter the store.

Enhancing the Shopping Experience

The Grad Shop is not just a retail space; it is a celebration of UNSW’s community and achievements. The store’s design goes beyond aesthetics to enhance the overall shopping experience, making it enjoyable, memorable, and convenient for customers. The intuitive layout, effective use of space, and attention to detail all contribute to a seamless shopping journey. Whether customers are purchasing graduation essentials, commemorative merchandise, or gifts, they are met with a commercial retail fitout that embodies the pride and professionalism of UNSW.

The inclusion of playful and whimsical elements, such as branded teddy bears and colourful stoles, adds an emotional dimension to the shopping experience. These items serve as reminders of the joy and achievement associated with university life, making them popular choices for students and visitors alike. This thoughtful approach to product display and commercial design ensures that The Grad Shop appeals to a wide range of customers, from students and alumni to parents and tourists.

The Grad Shop at UNSW is a shining example of how thoughtful commercial design can elevate a commercial retail fitout into an engaging and memorable experience. Total Fitouts Sydney South East has successfully created a space that balances form and function while staying true to the university’s brand identity. From the bold colour palette and playful graphics to the functional layout and effective lighting, every detail of the store has been carefully considered to create a cohesive and inviting environment.

The store’s modern aesthetic, combined with its focus on branding and customer experience, ensures that it is not just a place to shop but a celebration of the UNSW community. Whether purchasing graduation essentials or commemorative merchandise, customers are greeted with a space that reflects the pride, achievement, and vibrancy of the university. Through its thoughtful design and execution, The Grad Shop stands as a testament to the power of good design in creating spaces that inspire and connect with people.

Looking for a commercial retail fitout? Inquire with us today.