Studio Swap: Whippet London senior designer takes Australia

Global collaboration isn't just Slack messages and video calls. Sometimes you need to pack up and dive into a completely fresh perspective.

At Whippet, we're proud to offer an annual studio swap programme where team members experience life in our partner office, whether that's London to Melbourne or vice versa. It's more than a perk – it's an investment in understanding retail from both sides of the world.

The swap gives our designers, strategists and client service teams first-hand exposure to retail design in different markets. They bring back insights that simply can't be learned from desk research.

This cross-pollination of knowledge doesn't just make us better designers, it delivers tangible value to our clients through fresh perspectives and deeper market understanding. It's how we stay sharp, relevant and ahead of the retail curve.

Rob Jones, Senior Designer and Whippet fixture for 6.5 years, did exactly that when he traded London's familiar streets for Melbourne's creative scene. We caught up with him to uncover what happens when design talent crosses hemispheres.

Q: Why did you want to take part in the London/Melbourne office swap?

A: I thought it would be a great opportunity to experience a different country and creative environment. I've lived in London for over fifteen years now, so seeing how things work in a different part of the world felt extremely valuable. We've had a Whippet Melbourne team for ages, and meeting everyone face-to-face beats Slack messages any day.

Q: What were your first impressions of the Melbourne space?

A: The studio is great. They run a smaller team than London, but everyone there has impressive creative and retail experience.

Q: How does Whippet Melbourne's culture and approach compare to London?

A: Retail fundamentals don't change, but markets absolutely do.

In both countries, we solve the same core challenges, but Australian shoppers bring different expectations. Success means adapting our approach, not just copying what works in the UK.

In terms of culture, what struck me most was the consistency. Different country, different market, but we tackle retail design with the same customer-centric thinking. That's not by accident. Whippet hires people who click together, regardless of which office they're in. It felt like home from day one.

Q: What project made the biggest impact during your visit?

A: Before flying out, I spoke with the team about where I could add the most value. We identified SketchUp as a key upskilling opportunity.

In London, we use the 3D tool daily to visualise retail concepts. It helps clients understand materials, proportions and spaces before anything gets built. The Melbourne team hadn't used it extensively, so sharing that workflow created immediate benefits for everyone.

Q: What habits or hobbies have stuck with you since your trip?

A: Lunchtime quizzes! The team there loves testing their knowledge. Now I've got facts about everything from Australian birds to obscure sports rules taking up space in my brain.

Q: How did the Australian retail design landscape influence your creative thinking?

A: Experiencing different markets firsthand matters. Walking through spaces as a customer reveals intentions that images simply can't capture. You notice how people move, what catches their eye, what they ignore. These insights change how you approach design problems back home, particularly when it comes to environments and in-store experiences.

I noticed that Australians excel at signage – combining visual impact with quality manufacturing and genuine creativity.

Q: What are the benefits of having design studios on either side of the world?

A: I'd finish my day just as London woke up, so the work I completed would land in their inboxes fresh each morning.

The setup creates a natural workflow advantage. With teams in both hemispheres, we essentially maintain a 24-hour creative cycle when projects demand it. That's not something many agencies can offer.

Q: Best thing about Melbourne life?

A: The city centre blends incredible Asian influences with distinct Australian character. Jump on a train, and five minutes later you're in a completely different neighbourhood with its own vibe.

Q: Any new experiences you couldn't get in London?

A: Watching an AFL game at the MCG. Seeing Richmond Tigers win in that iconic stadium was something special.

Q: Most memorable moment?

A: Scoring a last-minute Formula 1 ticket. Despite getting absolutely soaked in the heaviest rain of my entire visit, it was brilliant.

Q: What advice would you give future studio swappers?

A: Stay curious. You'll learn plenty from our Aussie team’s world, and they'll value your perspective, too. The exchange runs both ways.

Keep your eye on trends – Australia adopts some retail innovations before the UK and vice versa. Understanding how these translate between markets creates value for clients everywhere.

And finally, enjoy it. Three weeks gives you just enough time to absorb the culture, workflows, and team dynamics before you're headed home again.

Q: Sum up your experience in three words.

A: Fun. The Melbourne team welcomed me completely – showing me their city, introducing Australian culture, turning colleagues into friends.

Insightful. Learning about Australian retail revealed approaches I hadn't considered before.

Transformational. Everything I learned now feeds into my day-to-day work with clients this side of the globe.

Q: How do experiences like this make Whippet different?

A: I've worked at agencies that promised travel and never delivered, but Whippet makes these opportunities happen. When the chance came up, I jumped at it.

The investment pays off for clients, too. Everything I absorbed in Australia now enhances our UK client work. That's what makes this more than just a nice perk – it's strategically valuable for everyone.

Want to join our team? Look out for open roles.