HOST YOUR EVENT AT SHIFT!
Our space makes a great venue for any of your events! From happy hours and fashion shows, to concerts and speaking events, we are happy to help make your event a success.
Take a class at Shift
The VCU da Vinci Center offers academic, experiential, and experimental programming that supports VCU students in finding innovative solutions at the intersection of business, arts, engineering, health care, and beyond. Courses are open to all students at VCU on graduate and undergraduate levels. Register using VCU e-services.
INNO 591: Shift Magazine (3 credits) [FALL ONLY]
This course is a cross-disciplinary, project-based course where students will build on the foundational principles and practices of visual design by directly applying their skills to create a magazine for Shift Retail Lab. All students will experiment in constructing content through design thinking, graphic design, branding, photography, copywriting, communications, and event planning.
By the end of this course, students will have created the first issue of Shift Magazine and planned a launch party to introduce the issue to the VCU and Richmond community. Students can expect to achieve beginning to intermediate technical competency in Adobe InDesign through online instruction modules, assignments, and instructor support. All students will be given remote access to an Adobe Creative Cloud license while enrolled.
Fast Company has named Shift Retail Lab at Virginia Commonwealth University as an honorable mention in the Urban Design category of the magazine’s 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards.
Shift Magazine Independent Study (1-3 credits) [SPRING ONLY]
This course is a cross-disciplinary, project-based course where students will build on the foundational principles and practices of visual design by directly applying their skills to create content for Shift Magazine. All students will experiment in constructing content through design thinking, graphic design, branding, photography, copywriting, communications, and event planning.
Students are expected to work with faculty to create their own syllabus and learning objectives.
Fast Company has named Shift Retail Lab at Virginia Commonwealth University as an honorable mention in the Urban Design category of the magazine’s 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards.
Please email Lloyd Young for more information (youngel3@vcu.edu).
Upcoming Events
Time: 5 -7PM
Meet daVinci’s MPI students who will showcase their solutions to thorny questions. Including:
- AI/ Machine Learning for early health risk assessment
- Double sided platforms for consumer goods – yes, even babies can participate in the Uber economy Improving
- Financial Access to underserved groups
Come help our students think through their product journeys. In return, you will be inspired by their bold vision and rapid experimentation.
Time: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Join staff from the da Vinci Center to learn about the Master of Product Innovation (MPI) program. The MPI at VCU is a cross-disciplinary master’s program focused on students applying knowledge in advanced product innovation, entrepreneurship, and intrapreneurship topics with real-life clients.
While students in the program come with design, engineering, psychology, business, and even social sciences and the arts, they all share common traits of unconventional thinking, a track record of producing highly creative work, and a collaborative and optimistic spirit.
Time: 5 - 7 PM
To build great teams, you have to meet great people. So, why not take time to connect with our greatest community, ourselves?! Please join students, faculty, and staff at our da Vinci Networking nights to connect with other da Vinci undergraduate and graduate students.
If you’re not a da Vinci student, but you’re curious about the program, you’re welcome to join us as well!
Time: 4:00PM - 6:00PM
It’s time to put this month's Shelfie cohort to the test!
Join us at Shift Retail Lab to watch Shelfies pitch their idea and compete to win a $50 Visa card. Join team members from Capital One and the VCU da Vinci Center for a fun networking event designed to help student entrepreneurs at VCU. Capital One supports student innovation and entrepreneurship by being the title sponsor for VCU Demo Day 2023 as well as sponsoring all Spring 2023 Shelfies at Shift Retail Lab.
Time: 4-6 pm
Join April Palmer at Shift Retail Lab on March 15th to stop sending out countless resumes and filling out redundant job applications and instead build and leverage a LinkedIn social network that will put you in front of the folx hiring for your dream jobs - and leave a lasting impression! This workshop is free and open to all students and faculty.
Time: 4 - 6 PM
Feedback Friday is designed as a round table discussion with peers, community members, staff and more. Come to Shift Retail Lab to help student entrepreneurs make iterations and get support during their time at VCU. Bring your curiosity and questions, we'll bring the snacks and beverages. Also, please share this invitation with anyone that is interested!
Time: 12 - 2 PM
Our Shelfies have about a month to showcase and test their ideas and need your help! They could be working on a product or service that is already developed or starting at the beginning, with just an idea. During their time on the shelves they will collaborate on a group pop-up market. Join students and alumni at this market to purchase their products and/or give them invaluable insight that will help take their idea to the next level.
Time: 5 - 7 PM
To build great teams, you have to meet great people. So, why not take time to connect with our greatest community, ourselves?! Please join students, faculty, and staff at our da Vinci Networking nights to connect with other da Vinci undergraduate and graduate students.
If you’re not a da Vinci student, but you’re curious about the program, you’re welcome to join us as well!
Time: 10 AM - 2 PM
Help students turn their ideas into action!
VCU Demo Day is designed to connect student innovators and founders with the Richmond ecosystem and beyond. Join us to hear pitches from outstanding students and alumni who will compete for funding and other prizes.
This event is open to students, faculty, investors, and community members seeking to network, strengthen and support Richmond's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Friday, April 28
In-person & Live Stream
10 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Student Pitches
12 p.m. - 2 p.m.: Reception at Shift Retail Lab