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Who is a Visual Merchandiser?
Advertising moves people toward goods; merchandising moves goods toward people ~ Morris Hite
In career as visual merchandiser, individuals are responsible for the appearance and culture of a brand. Have you ever wondered while passing by a store and glancing your eyes at the window who made it so enticing? A good window display serves as effective advertising. An effective window display is one that makes the passer-by (customer)enter the store with a glance of fewer than 10 seconds. As per the scientific idea, a person spends approximately more than 11 seconds looking at the window.
He or she arranges the items in such a way that it grabs everyone’s attention. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Design, Master of Design to become visual merchandisers. Here, in this article, we will discuss the visual merchandising career path, the role of visual merchandiser, how to become a visual merchandiser, visual merchandising career outlook, visual merchandising skills.
Visual Merchandiser in a Nutshell
A visual merchandiser is a professional who makes it look astonishing by utilising his or her designing skills. Visual merchandising contributes to awareness and brand loyalty among consumers. An individual, in visual merchandising career outlook, plays a crucial role in fetching the attention of customers and bringing them to the store.
Quick Facts for Visual Merchandiser
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Industry
Design
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
A career as visual merchandiser is suitable for everyone regardless of gender. Anyone can become a visual merchandiser after acquiring relevant skill set and educational qualifications.
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Any special needs
No
A career as visual merchandiser is not suitable for individuals with special needs. It demands an eye to detail and knowledge of colours, hue, contrast and designing techniques to appeal viewers. He or she is responsible for arranging materials for store displays.
Table of Contents for Visual Merchandiser
What is the role of Visual Merchandiser?
Individuals who opt for a career as a visual merchandiser work responsibilities involve travelling between stores to stores. In visual merchandising career path, he or she may also work from the head office or be assigned the responsibility of a particular store. The senior visual merchandiser is usually responsible for creating visual designs on paper through charcoal pencils or by using AutoCAD software. He or she then implements the design with the approval of the visual merchandising manager. An individual, in visual merchandising career outlook, is often required to lift heavy equipment, dress mannequins and revamp store layouts.
Building Strategy
A visual merchandiser’s role comes with the responsibility of creating a visual merchandising strategy by utilising the creative designing aspects to make it appeal to the market and consumers.
Producing Displays
A visual merchandiser is responsible for producing visual displays such as window display, signs, interior displays, special promotion displays and floor plans. He or she creates eye-catchy visual displays that fetch the customers through the entire store.
Overseeing Production
A visual merchandiser job comes with the responsibility of identifying key messages to create a crystal clear image of the end result. He or she oversees the production, revises and presents design ideas to assistant merchandisers.
Monitor
A visual merchandiser is responsible for monitoring cost and working within the budget. He or she designs ideas of visual displays keeping in mind the organisation’s culture, products and target market.
Types of a Visual Merchandiser
There are types of visual merchandisers in the visual merchandising career path. We have provided below some of the most common types of visual merchandising manager jobs with varying responsibilities depending on their specialisations.
Retail Merchandiser: A retail merchandiser is responsible for ensuring that the stock is at the right place at the right time. He or she makes the decision to stock which products department or supermarket.
Digital Merchandiser: A digital merchandiser is responsible for building up the online portfolio of the brand and ensuring the execution of the assigned customers. He or she executes upon above as well as below the fold, product description, image, video, comparison charts and keywords optimisation, ratings and reviews.
Product Merchandiser: A product merchandiser is a professional responsible for developing sales strategies for retail houses to improve the overall sales performance. He or she collects and analyses visual data, conducts customer surveys and decides on the location of the retail store to improve sales.
What is the workplace/work environment of Visual Merchandiser like?
A visual merchandiser job is concerned with the creative and visual impact of products and services for increasing sales. He or she usually works in retail in-stores, museums and galleries. Individuals who opt for a career as a visual merchandiser may often require to travel to other retail branches of the company to provide training to the sales time. One may work at the head office assigned to oversee the volume, allocation, location and functional arrangement of the shop floor.
Does Visual Merchandiser require travelling?
Likely
In career as visual merchandiser, individuals often requires travel to liaise with the wholesalers to stock up the products in the retail in-stores. He or she has to visit branches to provide training to the sales team in visual merchandising techniques and concepts.
Employment Shifts
Full Time, Part Time
Yes, individuals who opt for a career as visual merchandiser usually works from early mornings to late nights. One can also find part-time jobs as well. There is no work from home type of employment until one is a digital merchandiser responsible for maintaining online portfolios.
Employment Nature
Contractual, Permanent
The nature of employment of a visual merchandiser depends on the requirement of the employer. In career as visual merchandiser, individuals may work as freelancers providing consultancy services to retail houses. Entry-level visual merchandisers usually work full-time.
Work Place
Museum, Gallery, Retail Store
Individuals who opt for a career as a visual merchandiser find numerous opportunities at museums, galleries and retail in-stores. He or she is responsible for promoting retail brands, products and services.
Presence in Geographical Area
Semi-urban, Urban
Mostly retail stores, art galleries, museums are located in metropolitan cities. There are negligible opportunities for visual merchandisers in rural areas. The tech hub Bengaluru provided a 66.8 per cent higher salary to visual merchandisers than the national average.
Time Pressure
Likely
Individuals who opt for a career as a visual merchandiser work responsibilities involve working under frequent time pressure. He or she has to ensure timely completion of the window displays and arrangement of the products on the shelves with readily available product information to facilitate the customers.
Overtime Details
In career as visual merchandiser, individuals job often demands working late hours. It is required to complete the window shelves for the next day on special occasions or festivities. During store redesign activities work may extend up to overnight.
Weekly Hours of Work
Min 35 Hours
In career as visual merchandiser, individuals generally works 35 to 40 hours per week. In the career as a visual merchandiser working early morning and finishing up in the late evenings is quite common.
How to become a Visual Merchandiser?
Steps to become a Visual Merchandiser
For those captivated by the artistry of retail displays and product presentation, a career as a Visual Merchandiser beckons. Dive into the world of retail aesthetics, mastering the skill of crafting visually appealing storefronts. This section provides a roadmap on how to become a Visual Merchandiser in India, guiding enthusiasts through the creative journey of transforming spaces into captivating shopping experiences.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Visual Merchandiser?
There are several requirements to opt for a visual merchandising career path. We have mentioned below the major visual merchandising skills required to perform everyday tasks.
CAD Skills: A career as a visual merchandiser demands proficiency in AutoCAD skills. He or she must be able to work using any of the CAD software programmes such as Adobe Creative Suite programmes, Photoshop, InDesign and other design tools.
Organising Skills: Organising skills are crucial for a visual merchandiser job. He or she must be able to display products and items in the window and shelves in such a way that it makes customers go through the entire store.
Communication Skills: Individuals who opt for a career as a visual merchandiser have to guide the assistant staff to arrange items on display that looks enticing. He or she gives instructions to follow while making display arrangements for window shoppers.
Design Skills: In career as visual merchandiser, individuals must be able to create a virtual design by visualising a 100 per cent final upcoming outlook before creating a display. He or she must possess eye to detail and knowledge of colours, hues and contrast to make the display more appealing.
Transform your Career with Popular Online Design Courses and Certifications
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Visual Merchandiser?
We have provided below major certification courses for aspiring individuals who want to opt for a career as a visual merchandiser. These courses may help them to upgrade their skills and knowledge.
Internship Availability
One can find internship opportunities through various job portals such as naukri.com, lets intern, Internshala, monster and other platforms. Visual merchandising manager jobs are provided with several responsibilities. Visual merchandising career path includes researching, conceptualising designs and managing to source the products and items.
What is the job outlook for Visual Merchandiser?
A Visual Merchandiser who has experience on the shop floor may progress up to the level of area team leader or team manager. He or she must possess visual merchandising skills and must be able to use CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) software. Visual merchandisers who have started on the shop floor and gained experience may be able to progress to the position of a team or an area team leader or manager. A visual merchandiser who has gained enough experience may become self-employed or start working as a freelancer. He or she may provide consultancy services to freelancers. There are other opportunities in the visual merchandising career path one can take up to prop making, interior design, exhibition design or work in the film and television industry.
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Frequently Asked Questions for Visual Merchandiser
Que. What is the average salary of visual merchandisers?
Ans.The average salary of a visual merchandiser in India is Rs. 403,204.
Que. What are the top employers of visual merchandisers?
Ans.Visual merchandisers may find numerous opportunities at museums and galleries, retail brands, product and services in-stores.
Que. What is the minimum required to become a visual merchandiser?
Ans.A bachelor’s degree in relevant disciplines such as fashion design, spatial design, interior design or graphic design is the minimum requirement to become visual merchandiser.
Que. What are the skills of visual merchandisers?
Ans.Visual merchandising skills are AutoCAD, Organising skills, Communication skills, Interpersonal skills and Research skills.
Que. What are the top colleges of visual merchandisers?
Ans.Top Visual Merchandiser Colleges are National Institute of Design Ahmedabad, MIT Institute of Design, Pune, Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai and Industrial Design Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai.
Que. What qualifications do you need to become a visual merchandiser?
Ans.To become a visual merchandiser, you typically need a bachelor's degree in fields like visual merchandising, fashion, or marketing, coupled with a strong sense of design and creativity.
Que. How to become a visual merchandiser with no experience?
Ans.While experience is beneficial, you can become a visual merchandiser with no prior experience by showcasing a strong portfolio of design and creative projects, taking relevant courses, and emphasising transferable skills such as attention to detail and an understanding of consumer behavior.
Que. How long does it take to become a visual merchandiser?
Ans.The time it takes to become a visual merchandiser varies, but a relevant bachelor's degree can take around three to four years. Gaining practical experience through internships or entry-level positions can expedite the process.
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Did you know?
Fact 1
On average 83 per cent of information is captured through the sense of sight.
Fact 2
Human eyes follow two common moving patterns known as the Z and F pattern.
Fact 3
The average attention span of a person is 8 seconds.
Fact 4
The message retention increases by 62 per cent by visuals.
