Friday, October 31, 2014

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.

The first step to beginning a career in visual merchandising is to earn one's high school diploma or GED, which paves the way for applying to community colleges and design schools which offer instruction in this field. While not that common, some retailers may be willing to train certain candidates who display aptitude in an apprenticeship, but most prefer designers with formal education. Post-secondary training also increases one's chances for promotion later on.

Students in this trade can choose to complete either a two-year Associate Degree or four-year Bachelor's Degree program in visual merchandising. The former provides a basic knowledge of how to effectively conceptualize and execute store layouts and displays and implement the key elements of design, while the latter builds on this skill by studying it more in depth, giving the student a more detailed knowledge and more creative tools to work with.

During their studies, students of visual merchandising will learn about the importance of trend and market analysis. Understanding this concept is critical to the success of any retailer's visual presentation, as it needs to match what the current group of shoppers are looking for in order to boost interest and generate sales. A co-operative or apprenticeship component is the best way to learn this, which is why most schools incorporate it into their programs.

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.

The typical visual merchandiser puts in a 35 to 40 hour work week, with deadlines sometimes demanding extra hours. People employed by a retailer for several years may eventually be promoted to supervisor or manager positions within their department. Others will opt to do freelance work for a variety of clients and they may even start their own business.




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