How to Become Visual Merchandiser: Career Guide, Courses, Job Profiles, Salary, Scope 2023

Quick Facts about Visual Merchandiser

Some quick facts about Visual Merchandiser as a profession to look at before discussing further about it in-depth.

What does a Visual Merchandiser Do? 

Visual merchandisers utilize their plan abilities to help advance the picture, products and administrations of retail organizations and different associations. They make eye-catching product displays and store formats and design to attract customers and encourage them to buy. 

A Visual Merchandiser is in this position working as part of a display team, following design plans created at head office by a visual merchandising manager or senior display designer. A segment of the specific duties incorporated. 

• Creating design ideas for displays and creating floor design, or following an organization plan.
• Making special displays to promote a particular item or offer.
• Drawing designs and plans on paper or with the help of a Computer.
• Concluding how to utilize space and lighting creatively and store's space and layout. 
• Making marked visual promoting packs to send each part of a store and giving feedback to head office and purchasing groups.
• Setting up displays, dressing dummies and arranging screens, texture and posters.

• Sourcing, displaying materials and employing, acquiring or making props and encouraging deals staff how products ought to be displayed.

Steps to follow to become a Visual Merchandiser

To become a Visual Merchandiser, you have to make a strategy. Below we have shared some steps which will give you a brief idea about what points to consider while preparing yourself for a visual merchandiser career.

Decision Making 

• The initial step is to ensure that you truly want to seek after this career. Make sure to train your mind in which sector you wanna take forward your visual merchandiser career. As there are various segments in an economy which require visual merchandisers.
• Students, interested about how to become a visual merchandiser, should start their preparations right from their higher secondary education. 
• They need to pick a stream that would assist them with pursuing their profession over the long time.
• Getting admission in recognised colleges or Universities in relevant discipline (for example, BSC/ B.Tech) would assist them with channelizing their career as a visual merchandiser the correct way

Subject Choices 

• Although, there is no such requirement of subject combination for becoming a visual Merchandiser.
• Designing, Economics, retail management, designing and so on are the relevant subjects that schools should offer at the higher secondary level to students who wish to become a Visual Merchandiser in the future.
• The most preferred and usual degree is designing which is held by 15% of the visual merchandisers found today in every sector.

Entrance Exam Preparation 

• Preparing for the entrance test is one of the important steps that need to be successfully accomplished in the journey to becoming a Visual Merchandiser. 
• There are several entrance exams for the courses: NIFT, IPU CET which are conducted once in a year for this program. 
• They must not be intimidated by the syllabus, rather they should make a strategy to cover the syllabus and revise it as much as possible.

Selecting Correct Colleges 

• The visual merchandiser course is also provided online by many platforms by providing certification or diploma courses in it. A student according to its requirement can opt for the same.
• Generally, private colleges provide ample platforms for aspiring visual merchandiser students, hence there are many privately owned institutions that offer certificate, diploma and UG courses in Visual Merchandising
• The popular colleges where you can find good visual merchandising courses are NIFTs, Pearl Academy, Parul University, NITTE Bangalore, JD institute of fashion technology etc.

After qualifying Exam 

As per admission processes at most institutes, students must first qualify for the entrance examination round. They must meet the college cut-offs before going further to the next round. The process consists of group discussions followed by a PI. For doctorate level courses, a research proposal is also required to be submitted.

Work Experience

Start your career working as a freelancer or part time in the respective sectors of visual merchandiser of yours. Most professionals with at least 1-year of relevant experience are offered a decent job profile as well as salary.

Types of Visual Merchandiser

Visual Merchandiser is a primary job role that is offered to students who seek after advanced education in the field of design. Many design aspirants wish to make a profession in visual merchandiser. A visual merchandiser is liable for assembling the visual presentation and arrangements for items that are on sale. Their primary occupation is to make something that is charming while at the same time being a decent portrayal of the product.

Some of the major classifications among the Visual Merchandisers are listed below.

• Layout Designer: A layout designer is answerable for designing and making appealing designs for distributions and showcasing materials. Layout designers use different software designing applications and frameworks, expecting them to have amazing computer abilities for efficient navigation
• Merchandising Consultant: Merchandising Consultants survey our retail Clients merchandising strategy and get a strong comprehension of every Retailer's unique customer value as a reason for our work to assist retailers with improving their business, edges and stock productivity by better overseeing inventory.
• Merchandise Analyst: Marketing analysts work intimately with classification administrators in corporate stores that are sufficiently enormous to utilize them both. They're liable for keeping a higher perspective on patterns for the whole chain, and for the progression of product both all through the retail supply chain.
• Store Planner: Store planners are answerable for arranging and carrying out the manners in which retail outlets show their product available to be purchased. These organizers evaluate client traffic designs and the allure of different things available to be purchased when arranging the manners in which that new product will be shown on the business floor, just as an assortment of different variables, including sales promotions and marketing campaigns.
• Display Designer: A display designer intends to advance a customer's items, image and picture by making an eye-finding show utilizing visual and realistic components. Depending upon the customer's business, the showcase might be taken to a wide scope of areas, from exchange presentations to shopping centers.

How to Become Visual Merchandiser in India 

Becoming a Visual Merchandiser in India is a challenging job. Candidates who want to pursue this profession, must train their mind to face some issues and start preparing after qualifying for secondary class (10th). Thereafter they need to choose the right subjects, prepare for Graduation, followed by a certificate course related to Visual Merchandiser will be beneficial.

School Level Preparation

• At the school level, there are no specific subject combinations or streams necessary to pursue.
• Those who want to become a Visual Merchandiser have to study Designing, Economics, retail management, management etc for higher secondary level in school.
• They have to qualify an entrance test to get admission into a Bachelor’s degree program in designing or a relevant field.
• Students can start preparation for the entrance tests by taking admission in the various coaching institutes.
• Apart from that the students can also solve the previous year question papers and the different sample papers or mock tests are released by the examination authorities
• For the BSC Designing program the eligibility criteria is applicable for both Merit based or Entrance based tests.
• The students must have cleared the last qualifying examination which is Class 12th boards.
• In order to get admission in BSC in Designing the minimum aggregate is 50% from a recognized board.

How to become a Visual Merchandiser After 12th?

To become a Visual Merchandiser after 12th you have to maintain a strategy to become a Visual Merchandiser. Here we have shared the step-by-step preparation Strategy from UG to PG level.

Undergraduate Preparation

• At the UG level, candidates aspiring to become a Visual Merchandiser should first focus on clearing the entrance exams and getting admitted in a bachelor’s degree course. 
• It can be any Diploma or Bachelor course. The students can also enroll in the alternative courses such as a B.BA, BSC or BA, etc.
• Students along with their undergraduate courses should focus on developing skills related to this specialization.
• Students opting for the master's courses should start their preparation for the CAT test.

Post Graduation Preparation 

• Earning a Masters degree in merchandising field also allows graduates to apply for tenure track teaching positions at colleges and universities alongside Senior Position in Organization.
• The eligibility criteria for MBA is at least 50% minimum aggregate in Bachelor from a recognized college by UGC .
• They also have to qualify CAT entrance tests for admission.
• They should put in much more effort for the CAT Test because every year only 15-20 % of the students are able to clear the entrance test.
• The students must select their specialization according to their strengths and preferences.
• Several colleges tie up with various corporate organizations and conduct internships, assignments through which candidates can achieve real-time experience.
• After completion of the UG degree and before opting for a job or higher studies, it would be beneficial if you gain a professional certification along with an internship to secure yourself for a better salary package.

How to become Visual Merchandiser Abroad

Pursuing designing courses abroad to become a Visual Merchandiser is one of the most sought after professions, one does not have to worry much about his/her future if they become a Visual Merchandiser. The difficulty level of the program is almost similar to what it is in india.

USA 

In the USA, international students can earn a full-time undergraduate and masters degree in Merchandising/ Designing.

• International students must be fluent in English and should submit an English proficiency test score.
• The duration of a Bachelor's Program is about 4 years while masters are of 2 years.
• The course fee is between INR 12 Lakhs to INR 35 Lakhs.

Admission Process 

• Undergraduate programs applications can be submitted through the Common application portal. Masters course candidates can use the university website for the same.
• Register on the website and log in to start application
• Fill up your application form. Submit English proficiency test scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, GMAT, GRE etc.
• Submit the recommendation letter and statement of purpose. Some programmes require prior work experience, for which relevant documents are required
• Submit your application after paying the application fee.

Educational Requirements 

To pursue Visual merchandising courses in the USA, students need to have a prior 10+2 or bachelor's degree in any stream. Students should have retail, design etc as one the main subjects at their academic levels.

Top Colleges 

UK 

The United Kingdom has a number of Merchandisers courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

• Top specialisations are Textiles Merchandising, Apparel and Design Merchandising etc.
• The duration of most of the programs ranges from 1 years to 3 year.
• Applications are to be submitted on the website
• The average course fee is between INR 5 to INR 25 lakhs

Admission Process 

• Admission in Undergraduate programs are to be done through the UCAS portal while master's are done through the university website.
• Create a profile and start your application process.
• Fill up your application form with all the required documents.
• Submit the language proficiency test scores like TOEFL, IELTS, PTE etc.
• Also upload recommendation letters and work experience, if present. Pay the application fee and submit.

Educational Requirements 

To pursue merchandising courses in the UK, students need to have a prior degree in any relevant stream and should be a graduate degree in any relevant stream.

Top Colleges 

Canada

• In Canada, universities have certificate courses in Merchandising or Designing. 
• The duration of most courses is from 6 month to 2 years for the full-time degree programme.
• Admission is done on the university websites.
• International students must be fluent in either French or English.

Admission Process 

• Canadian universities accept applications form from their official websites
• Before starting the semester program, register on the website to start applying.
• Fill up your application form and upload the required documents.
• English language proficiency test scores are IELTS, TOEFL , PTE etc. For French accepted tests are Test de Connaissance du Français, Test de français international, Test d'Évaluation de Français, and Test d'Evaluation du français adapté pour le Québec.
• Submit financial proof for availing scholarships.
• Submit the application form.

Educational Requirements

To pursue Visual merchandising courses in Canada, students need to have a prior 10+2 or bachelor's degree in any stream. Students should have retail, design etc as one the main subjects at their academic levels.

Top Colleges

Australia 

Australia offers full-time Certificate level and Postgraduate degree programmes in Merchandising , Designing and Fashion etc.

• International students must submit one English proficiency test score. Accepted tests are IELTS, TOEFL, CAE, OET etc.
• Some programmes require students to have prior work experience in a related field. In such a case, required documents must be submitted with the application.
• The average course fee ranges between INR 10 to INR 35 lakhs.

Admission Process 

• Undergraduate programs applications can be submitted through the application portal. Masters course candidates can use the university website for the same
• Register on the website and log in to start the application.
• Fill up your application form. Submit English proficiency test scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, GMAT, GRE etc.
• Submit the recommendation letter and statement of purpose. Some programmes require prior work experience, for which relevant documents are required.
• Submit your application after paying the application fee.

Educational Requirements

To pursue a master's program, students should have a prior bachelor’s degree in merchandising with a specialization. Students must study subjects such as designing, retail, visual management at the higher school level.

Top Colleges 

Benefits of Career as a Visual Merchandiser 

A Visual Merchandiser job is viewed as quite possibly the most worthwhile profession across the world. Contrasted with other average jobs growth, the Visual Merchandiser jobs are developing at a much-higher rate. The justification for this quick development is its enormous interest from each area of business, be it visual, management, manufacturing, proficient and retail benefits, and much more. 

Therefore, more individuals seek to become Visual Merchandisers. It has its own advantages. How about we have a quick glance at them:

Salary 

The average salary of Visual Merchandisers in India is INR 5,00,000. Visual Merchandisers freshers at the starting of their career earn INR 3,50,000 per annum. Visual Merchandisers with more than 10 years of experience can earn over INR 8,00,000 per annum.

Job Security 

In today's world, sales are the essence of every business. Regardless of whether it's a big business house or a small one, everyone wants to generate their sales. Thus, to deal with this productively, associations would require skilled experts or all in all Visual Merchandisers. They are the ones who recognize the hierarchical enhancements required, designed effectively to carry out those progressions relying upon which leaders make proper business-related choices. 

However, the accessibility of skilled students in the visual merchandising profession is limited. Thus, the ones with genuine ability and abilities are a resource for the organization. Students with these proficiencies can have a promising career in this field. The visual merchandisers profession resembles a vast ocean with different spaces to browse. Employers are consistently looking for skilled merchandiser's to manage their business prerequisites.

Positive Impact 

The job of a visual merchandiser is quite challenging in itself. It requires a lot of smart work and innovative ideas. This in turn, enables a student to work positively in their career. The job profile demands regular interactions with clients or consumers, hence improving overall friendliness and work environment of the visual merchandiser aspiring student.

Higher Studies 

Students can join an organization as a visual merchandiser immediately after completing their Bachelor’s course in either merchandising, designing, apparel design or statistics as their specialization subjects. This qualification will bag them for an entry-level visual merchandiser position. After working for a while if they want, they can even upgrade their educational qualification by enrolling for a master's course or a doctorate program in the relevant subject.

Unique Experience 

Visual Merchandiser as a career is very challenging. Gaining unique experience by identifying, assessing, managing and getting a vivid set of knowledge will help you to grow in your profession and to make you ready for the next step in the merchandising field.The trend and the prediction put forward by the visual merchandiser helps in making the organizations operations much more efficient.

Skills Required to become a Visual Merchandiser

To become a Visual Merchandiser you must hold some useful skills required in this career. The following are some skills for the Visual Merchandiser career.

Salary of a Visual Merchandiser 

The starting salary of a Visual Merchandiser in India varies from INR 3,00,000 to INR 6,00,000. The salary value may depend on the sectors and how much experience a person has over his back.

Average Annual Salary 

Specializations Wise 

Experience Wise 

What After Visual Merchandiser

Candidates after completing a course in Merchandising or Designing have two major options to choose from, higher education or a job. Both paths have been discussed below.

Higher Education 

Post completing a course in Merchandising or Designing, there are higher education courses available. For diploma courses graduates, bachelors degree programs are available and for bachelors degree holders there are Masters courses. Some universities also offer research or doctorate level degrees in Merchandising or Visual Merchandising. Higher the educational degree earned, more opportunities will open up for you in different sectors. The most well known choices of schooling on completion of a merchandising or designing courses are as per the following:

• MSC: MSc in visual designing is a 2-year degree program which obliges the requirements of individuals interested in the field of merchandising. This 2-year course is viewed as perhaps the most sought after course in India as far as self-improvement and career options.
• MBA: A large number of bachelor graduates choose to go for the management route by choosing to pursue a PGDM or MBA program. Admissions are offered through national level entrance tests. Having a BSc degree together with an MBA in a designing or any relevant of choice is highly advantageous and many organizations actively search for such students.

Start Practicing 

The most popular choice postgraduate is to start working. A large portion of graduates from any level of education seek out jobs in the Merchandising industry. Entry-level jobs like Visual Analyst or Marketing Analyst teach the basics practical aspects of merchandising. After gaining experience, individuals go on to work as a Visual Merchandiser.