Windows Of Opportunity – Visual Merchandising as a Career
14-05-2013
With so much competition for footfall and now with the rise in e-commerce, and competition on the High Street getting even more tough how can you keep the tills ringing? Products and stores need to be merchandised with extra marketing for that hard earned sale.
Every year it becomes harder & harder to attract customers, but have you ever wondered what it is like to be involved in the magic of innovating displays?
WHAT IS VISUAL MERCHANDISING?
Most retailers have their own distinctive image which can often be recognised by just looking at their window displays, you only have a few seconds to capture the customer’s attention; they are intended to attract and bring in core customers into the store.
A Display Designer or Visual Merchandiser presents the products within a shop, and also promoting the shop or chain itself Visual Merchandising is SILENT SELLING.
‘What is the difference between the role of Window Display and Visual Merchandising?’
WINDOW DISPLAY OR DISPLAY DESIGNER:
Works at the front of the shop within a display team that includes fashion designers & graphic artists, they work together to produce eye catching windows that promote the shops image, as well as getting the customers to buy the product.
Evolvement in making all props & the sets this role is purely creativity and theatre.
VISUAL MERCHANDISING:
A VM works with the design concept, to make sure that it is integrated throughout the store layout, incorporating psychology and controlling customer flow. Working hands on with buyers & store managers, the role often blends with a merchandising role.
A 37 – 40 hour week including weekends and overnight shop layouts and re-fits, based at the head office or in-store, travel is part of this role.
What makes a good Good Visual Merchandiser?
1. When was the last time you read a book that really inspired you stimulated you to think and ask questions?
2. How long has it been since you last went to a museum, gallery, art show?
3. Do you know the key tends at the moment: Fashion/music/interiors/key looks/fabrics etc?
4. When did you last involve yourself in graphics, computer packages, advertising, photography?
5. Do you remember the last experimental film or play you saw?
6. If you have travelled, what have you seen? Did you wander through foreign streets picking up sights and smells?
7. Have you taken any courses lately? Are you growing intellectually are you learning more about your profession?
8. What does your reference library look like? Full of new books and magazines?
9. Look in the mirror, do you look like, feel, smell like a trend setter and stylist?
10. Do you ask questions do you know what’s happening in business?
Have you got passion, a belief in yourself and you are not afraid to be different –
that is a true Visual Merchandiser!
Visual Merchandising Workshop – Saturday 18th May
First in the new series of How To: looking at Visual Merchandising as a Career,
Workshop Content:
– What’s the job actually like?
– What does a Visual Merchandiser do?
– What’s the difference between Visual Merchandiser and a Display Artist?
– What’s’ the salary like?
– What do I need in a portfolio?
– How do I get into VM?
Taught by: Paula Arkell-Waller M.A, a former Visual Merchandiser and Retail Consultant who has worked within Fashion and Retail for over 20 years, the workshop will be a fun and informing look into the exciting world of visual merchandising and display.
Title: How to: Get into Visual Merchandising Workshop
Date: Saturday 18th May
Time: 10-12
Location: Fashion Studio
Knowledge Dock
University of East London
Cyprus
East London
Cost: £30-
To book: contact Jenni Sutton, jenni@fashion-enter.com
Phone: 0208 462 9620
www.fashioncapital.co.uk www.fashion-enter.com
Paula would also like to invite fashion bloggers to come along and review the workshop
Future workshops on the agenda include:
- Fashion illustration taster workshop
- Sketchbook workshops
- How to get into Sportswear design workshops
