Visual Merchandising Arts (VMA)

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.

• 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
  

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.

• 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

• WindowsWear
• StyleGuide