How to Become a Visual Merchandiser
Steps to follow to become a Visual Merchandiser
Introduction:- Visual Merchandising is one of the leading job profiles in retail sector. All Retail students & aspirants must know the the steps that how to become a visual merchandiser. If you are perusing any learning course or planning to get into this profession, you are required to add several basic skills to be a successful visual merchandiser.
A Visual Merchandising job, a person should have the following characteristics and qualities. (How to become a visual merchandiser)
- Creativity & Innovation
- Artistic thoughts & skills
- Basic design principals, process & methodology
- Understanding of basic structures of Retail
- Basic Color psychology understanding
- Products & Materials knowledge
- Vendor Negotiation skills
- Conceptualization & basic drawing ability
- Communication skills
- Design based software skills (Photoshop, AI, Corel Draw, InDesign, 3D, Auto Cad etc.)
Becoming a visual merchandiser involves creativity, design skills, and an understanding of retail strategies to create attractive displays which drive sales and enhance the customer store experience.
Guide to be a Visual Merchandiser in retail
Visual Merchandiser role:- Visual merchandisers are responsible for creating store displays and layouts that engage customers and reflect the brand’s identity. Store’s looks & feel, interior, in store signage, mannequins, thematic display, aroma, lights, smell, music etc. These are primary work profile of a visual merchandiser.
- Designing window displays, in-store layouts, and product display as per layout.
- Make sure that products are presented in a way that it maximizes product’s range & enhance sale
- Update with current VM trends, display techniques, new materials use, competitor brand’s display & goal.
Learning / Courses & Degree
(How To be a visual merchandiser) It’s very important to learn proper VM course from any university, college or institute. This practice enriches your learning skills & creates strong fundamentals of visual merchandising skills.
- Bachelor’s Degree: There are several colleges & universities which provides Visual Merchandising regular courses. For example: – NIFT, PEARL University, FDDI, JD institute of Fashion Technology, Academy of Applied art, these are some leading institutes for such courses. They provide a degree or diploma in VM with their adjacent subjects. NIFT website (https://www.nift.ac.in/admission)
- Fashion Merchandising, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Marketing, Retail design, Fashion communication, these are core subjects which includes in depth learning. These programs typically cover design principles, retail marketing, consumer psychology, and trends. FDDI College website (https://fddiindia.com/admission-process)
- Online short-term Courses & Certifications: Now a days, Online courses are also available to learn basic of visual merchandising. Take at least 1 years or 6 month learning skills & certificate.
Executions of Design and Creativity Skills
- Internship: Learn VM skills & join 2-3 months internship in any retail brands. This is most important activity before your VM professional journey. This will give you a clarity & actual scenario of Retail industry. You will understand the process, team structure & teamwork activity in a company.
- Enhance software skills: Develop CAD software’s sills, learn and use it to make as many as layouts, window display concepts.
- Craftsmanship / Hands-On Practice: Start making small size 3D props, windows or any ideas which you are designing. Learn from internship & involve in executions.
- Freelance Work: Work as a freelancer and get experience and boost learning skills. You will get quite good chance to work with experience people on real projects. Such activity will bring you closer to become a visual merchandiser
Create good CV & Portfolio:-
Your CV / Resume reflects your personality & journey of your life. It’s one of the most important step to become a visual merchandiser so make it creative & interesting. A good portfolio of your work represents your sills & work quality. So, your portfolio must have your all-good works which shows your creativity & design process of projects. You can include below points in your portfolio Previous projects photographs, which is impactful & eye catching among people.
- Concept sketches, mood boards, window display ideas, hand sketches, design process sketch.
- Best College projects (hypothetical), Internship or graduation project works.
- If you have any additional skill, you should add work related to this.
Network & Relationships
Networking & good relationships with seniors and industry people relay helps you a lot to find a good gob and career enhancement. Strong network & connectivity will make you a successful & impactful visual merchandiser.
- Make your id on LinkedIn website & connect with same industry people. You will get daily updates about job opening in VM & career related contents. Join a few VM groups & community on same page. Join face book Page-https://www.facebook.com/share/1B1pxSRRiu/
- Every year In Store Asia exhibition is arranged in many cities in India, where you can explore your practical knowledge in this exhibition. All VM vendors install their stalls & introduce new VM materials & VM works. This is one of the great places to visit every year.
- Participate in VM competitions & attend works shops & trade shows, you will learn new VM skills, materials & meet industry professionals, who will be very much helpful for your career ahead.
Job Applications
Keep applying for jobs in multiple job portal companies like Naukri.com, shine.com, Indeed job etc. you need to set job alerts as per your profile in these websites so that you will get proper updates if any related opening come up. Check job opening websites on daily basis like Naukri.com where they post latest job opening in different companies. Apply in such opening which suites your profile.
- Apply for any established brands during starting of your job.
- Check company profile, sale revenue & market status before joining.
- Prepare for interview, you can find out multiple videos on you tube for interview.
- Be prepared for any questions related to Visual merchandising & your interests.
- Compare salary expectations with you experience & offered job.
Conclusion
A visual Merchandiser job is based on your skills & interest. If you have interest & creativity skills in design, display, stylizing, fashion, retail etc. Then you must go ahead with this career.
This is such an interesting career where you will never get bored & enjoy your work. But first you need to follow all mentioned steps, these are some basic steps which will make strong to your VM career journey. Once you get experience in job you will get very decent quantum of payment package & job profile.
These are some golden tips & process to become a visual merchandiser. Moreover, consistent learning & updated with global VM trend is very important for a visual merchandiser as well as students, teacher or VM professionals.
