Have you ever seen the Brown Thomas window at Christmas time? It’s a work of art – Right?? Well, with a qualification in visual merchandising, you could very soon have people posting pics of YOUR window displays on ‘The Gram’!
What is visual merchandising?
Think about the nicest, fanciest shop you have ever been in. Did you ever notice how well laid out the handbags were? or how your eyes were drawn to the display of scented candles? Maybe you have even made an impulse-purchase because those reusable water bottles near the till were FAR too cute to leave behind??
Well, believe it or not, every single product that you see in a shop has been placed in its EXACT location as a result of meticulous planning and strategy.
Visual merchandising refers to all of the ways that products are presented in a store… From the window display of Brown Thomas, to the tins of beans on the shelf in Tesco, all retail layouts are designed by a visual merchandiser.
Sounds like a fun job! What qualifications do I need?
There are lots of courses available to get a certificate in visual merchandising. Here are a few that we recommend:
Dublin Institute of Design – Certificate in Visual Merchandising
In this course, you will learn through a combination of online classes and field trips.
Throughout the course, you will learn how to:
- Develop original ideas for window displays and in-store displays
- Research visual merchandising trends
- Present your ideas to colleagues and clients
- Dress mannequins
- Use lighting, fixtures and fittings to create impressive displays
The duration of the course is 6 weeks, and you have the option of studying during daytimes or evenings.
For more information, or to enquire, click here.
CMI – Fashion Buying & Merchandising Course Certificate
In this course, you will learn every aspect of the fashion buying and merchandising process from start to finish.
You will learn the importance of observing the latest trends, to choosing the right product line. You’ll even learn how to arrange continuity of supply for each season!
The duration of the course is three months, and you can choose between classroom-based and online options.
For more information or to apply for this course, click here.
Portobello Institute – Fashion Buying & Merchandising – 3 Modules Booking Package
The part time Fashion Buying and Merchandising course covers all the essential elements to turn a creative eye and an interest in fashion into a practical career in an incredibly exciting industry.
Graduates of this course have been incredibly successful gaining employment both at home and abroad. Why so? Well, much of this success is due to the strong links the college has with some of Ireland’s largest retailers.
And, as if this wasn’t exciting enough, part-time students have the option to participate on the work experience placement programme, contribute to the Irish Fashion Designer Showcase and even attend key events in the annual fashion calendar – How fun does that sound?!
For more info or to apply, click here
