A Career As A Display Artist Is Creative And Exciting

By Young Lindsay


Department stores, boutiques, and other retailers often rely on eye-catching displays to attract the attention of customers. In order to effectively create and put together these interesting arrangements of merchandise, it takes skill and knowledge. The professional who is responsible for this task is known as a display artist or a visual merchandiser.

Stores employ visual merchandisers to not only help sell goods but also the store itself in general. Customers are more likely to be inspired to visit and spend more time in a retail environment which is pleasing to the eye and aesthetically appealing. It is a form of marketing that calls for an artistic flair and ability to continuously come up with new ideas as the seasons, sales, and featured items being sold change.

If someone wishes to pursue a career in visual merchandising, it is first necessary to earn a high school diploma or GED in order that one is then eligible to apply to a design school or community college offering programs in this field. Being in possession of a degree or diploma will increase a person's chances for promotion, although a few employer's may provide training on the job as an apprentice designer for select candidates.

Visual merchandising is generally offered as either an Associate Degree program which is two years in length, or as a Bachelor's Degree program that takes four years to complete. Some elements are common to both streams of study, namely the essential aspects of design and how to use these in a creative capacity to produce effective merchandise presentation. The four-year program takes a more in-depth approach and offers some extra skill training.

One component of most visual merchandising courses is market and trend analysis. This is important, as it plays a vital role in determining how the merchandiser should arrange the store and its goods to garner the attention of shoppers in a way that speaks to their current needs and interests. Since this is a very "hands-on" type of work, most schools offer co-op or apprenticeship options as part of the program so students can learn by doing.

Growth of this field is expected as the number of retail establishments continues to multiply, creating additional employment for those in this profession. Stores rely on the skills of talented merchandisers to create an environment that will draw and retain shoppers on a consistent basis, making these professionals in demand.

Many people employed as visual merchandisers receive an above-average salary. As with many other professions, those starting out will typically earn less, since pay is often commensurate with years of experience and educational background, so it's worthwhile investing in additional training, and to seek out every possible work opportunity.

An average work week for a merchandiser is about 35 to 40 hours, although deadlines may call for more time to be invested. Some professionals will choose to freelance for various clients and possibly start up their own business once their client base is sufficient. Designers who work for one store may eventually be promoted to supervisory or managerial positions as they prove themselves capable of running the visual merchandising department.




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