Visual Merchandising Courses in India

Visual Merchandising is a Professional Field which deals with promotion of the sale of goods, especially by their presentation in retail outlets. The main aim of Visual Merchandising is to encourage the sale of a product or service by combining products, environments and spaces into a Visually stimulating and engaging display. It also educates the customers, creates desire and finally augments the selling process. Visual Merchandisers are the Professionals who create, manage or arrange displays in various forms  involving colourful graphics, lighting, space, product information, sensory inputs such as smell, touch, and sound as well as technologies such as digital displays and interactive installations. They are the Supervisors who are involved in beautifying shop window designs, coordinating with the sales team and arranging the decoration to woo customers, constantly innovating ways and means to change the mannequins, display, music and lighting of a retail store, emporium, boutiques etc.

Some of its specialized fields are -

• Retail Store Layout.
• Store Decoration.
• Window Displays.
• Photo-Styling.
• Interior Decoration.
• Planogram.
• Exhibition Design.

Content

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

• Fundamentals of Retail.
• Consumer Behaviour.
• Fashion and Styling.
• Digital Modelling.

Objectives

• To eliminate errors quickly and save time and money.
• To help clients articulate their own personal style.
• To educate the customers about the product/service in an effective and creative way.
• To combine the creative, technical and operational aspects of a product and the business.

Basic Requirement

Applicants need to complete their 10+2 in any stream with an aptitude towards designing, coupled with sheer aesthetic sense to appear for graduation course in Fashion Technology or Fashion Design where Visual Merchandising is one of the subjects in the curriculum. There are different types of Courses i.e Diploma, Certificate, Graduate and Post Graduate Diploma. For Diploma or Graduate Courses the programme duration is generally 1-3 years. For Post Graduate Courses the duration is generally 2 Years. Various Private Institutes provide Certificate Courses which vary from 6 months to 1 Year. For attending the specialized workshops in premier institutes like National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), an applicant preferably needs to complete a Graduation in Fashion Technology, Fashion Designing with a flair towards intermingling creativity and technology. Some institutes offer certificate courses where the prerequisite is core competency in the areas of Fashion and Interior Design.

Some of the Major Institutes providing Visual Merchandising Courses

• NIFT, New Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad.

• National Institute of Fashion Design, Chandigarh.

• J D Institute of Fashion Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi.

• Wigan & Leigh College , New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune.

• Arch Academy of Fashion Art Design, Jaipur.

• Mudra Institute of Communication, Shela, Ahmedabad.

• NIRM National Institute of Retail Management, Ahmedabad.

• Indian Retail School, Bangalore.

Job Perspectives

Visual Merchandising in India is still in it's Infancy Stage. However with changing Lifestyles the Infant is rising slowly and steadily. This is evident with the popularisation of Mall Culture and Exhibitions both in rural and urban areas. One can be employed for Window Designing of Shops, Elite Boutiques and Hotel Lounge. Companies like Shopper's Stop, Big Jo's, Akberally's, Ebony, Titan, Tanishq, Pantaloons ,West Side provide job opportunities in India. Festivals and Events like Diwali, Holi, Cultural Events, Durga Puja etc. require Visual Merchandisers who can attract customers in Retail Stores, Jewellery Shops, Fashion Boutiques by sheer Visual Delight achieved by Graphics, Interior Decoration, Lighting, Window displays etc. Weddings, Birthdays etc. require Theme Based celebrations, here Event Managers get employed too. Companies like British Display Service, CVUK, KonneKt3, The Buzz, Michael Page Retail, Pzazz Seven Hr, HL Display, H & M, Hammer & Sohne, Beluga Jewellery provide job opportunities for visual merchandisers in U.K.,USA, Dubai, Italy, Germany, etc. 

Some Job Types

• Visual Merchandiser Assistant.
• Visual Merchandiser Director.
• Visual Merchandising Coordinator.
• Consultants.
• Lecturer.
• Visual Merchandise Manager.
• Team Leaders.
• Category Manager.
• Market Researcher.
• Interior Decorator.

Some Employment Areas

• Retail Stores.
• Exhibitions.
• Fashion Houses.
• Boutiques.
• Museums.
• Shopping Malls.
• Five Star Hotels.
• Boutiques.
• Exhibitions.
• Theatres.
• Emporiums.
• Textile Industry.
• Event Organising Companies.