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Visual Merchandising Arts (VMA)
Starts in September
Location
Duration
4 Semesters (2 Years)Credential Awarded
Ontario College DiplomaSchool
School of FashionAbout the Program
Are you creative? Passionate about design? A visual storyteller who can bring a brand to life? This two-year program will prepare you to become a visual merchandiser who can expertly style a brand’s image with mannequins, merchandise, pop-up locations, window displays and store fronts. You’ll express your innovative ideas using design-based software programs, and get hands-on experience working with luxury retail partners such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Holt Renfrew and Harry Rosen.
Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
- presenting and co-ordinating merchandise
- making financial decisions
- working with a wide variety of materials to solve design problems
- constructing promotional displays and advertising
- photographing displays and advertising
- understanding retail store operations
- preparing and executing displays for exhibitions and promotional events
- creating illustrations and layout for advertising
- using written and oral English that emphasizes good organization, clarity and correct grammar for communication in a business environment
Work Experience
Field Placement
Through the mandatory field placement, you will gain 80 hours of work experience with our retail partners. Not only will you put into practice the skills developed throughout the program, but you’ll also build a professional network and improve your understanding of the industry. Field placements are varied and may include working in a retail environment, assisting as a fashion stylist during Fashion Week, making props for Toronto’s iconic Santa Claus Parade or working closely with visual designers on exciting industry projects.
Your Career
When you graduate from this program, these are the types of career options that you can explore:
- visual merchandiser
- exhibit design specialist
- brand expert
- fashion, interior or prop stylist
- in-store merchandiser
- retail marketer
- prop producer
- freelance designer
- home staging assistant
- special event designer
Affiliations/Associations
- WindowsWear
- StyleGuide
Student Works and Experiences
Art of Display
Each year, our Visual Merchandising Arts students participate in Redefining Design, an annual showcase and gala event for Seneca’s fashion programs. Students create “art of display” exhibits that are judged by a panel of industry professionals.
Behind the Scenes of Visual Merchandising Arts
Catch a glimpse of some eye-catching display windows for fashion, home décor, the holidays and more, as styled by our Visual Merchandising Arts students.
Get a sneak peek of professional window installations created by our students, including displays created for our very own Boutique@Seneca.
Student Works and Experiences Gallery
Success Stories
After graduating from Seneca’s Visual Merchandising Arts (VMA) program and achieving career success in the field, Luciana continues to remain connected to her studies. In addition to working as a Visual Merchandiser for Holt Renfrew, she also serves on the VMA Program Advisory Committee at Seneca to ensure the curriculum continues to prepare students for a rapidly evolving industry.
Luciana Govea
Visual Merchandising Arts
The professional network of visual merchandisers, event planners and artists that Lisa maintains today was developed while she studied in Seneca’s Visual Merchandising Arts program. At present, Lisa owns her own business in the visual display industry and says this wouldn’t be possible without the strong network and knowledge base that she built while studying at Seneca.
Lisa Morris
Visual Merchandising Arts