No question, there is an art to attracting the shopper's eye. Visual merchandisers decide how a store will present its merchandise. They determine if mannequins should be used, where they should be placed, what detailing and accessories should be used, what signage and lighting would best highlight a product, and how store design and fixtures factor into the overall presentation. All of these elements are based on the psychology of effectively selling a specific product to a specific customer. Visual merchandisers must have a good eye and fashion sense, combined with the ability to work in three dimensions, build props, and design department promotions.
Visual Merchandising is a program that blends the business and psychology of fashion marketing principles with technical skills in prop building, signage, visual presentation, and design techniques. Students learn, through hands-on experience, how to design and draft a rendering of a display, how to build necessary props and accessories, and how to carry the project through to completion.
Upon completion of this program, graduates are expected to have successfully put together a portfolio of work to facilitate employment. Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in department stores, specialty stores, and boutiques as visual merchandisers, window trimmers, and freelance artists.
