Diploma of Visual Merchandising

Admission requirements

You are eligible if:

* you have successfully completed the Australian year 12 or equivalent in your country
* you have achieved a minimum of either:

- IELTS 5.5 academic (no band score less than 5.0) or
- TOEFL paper based 530 (minimum TWE 3.5) or
- TOEFL computer based 197 (minimum TWE 3.5) or
- TOEFL internet based 71 (minimum 17 in all sections).

Intake

February and July

Books and equipment (AUD)

Approximately $2,000 total

Study pathways

On completion of the Diploma, graduates may continue their study in:

* Diploma of Fashion and Textile Merchandising (071254A) at Kangan Institute
* Diploma of Commercial Arts Graphic Design
* Diploma of Events (068228G) at Kangan Institute
* Bachelor Degrees in Interior Design, Advertising, Communication Arts.

Career pathways

On completion of the Diploma, graduates may seek employment as:

- Retail store visual merchandiser
- Visual merchandising team leader or manager
- Exhibition or event display merchandiser
- Photographic stylist
- Freelance visual merchandiser
- Retail and event designer.

Course structure

This course equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to gain employment in the global visual merchandising and retail display industries.

The student learning environment is a world class visual merchandising studio where the students gain practical and theoretical skills in visual merchandising. A strong emphasis is placed on ‘hands-on’ experience and professional industry standards. Industry placement and professional development is a key component of the course commencing in the first semester.

Students will attend classes four days per week divided into approximately 80 percent practical and 20 percent theoretical activities. There are 20 students per team. Most classes will be scheduled between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Thursday. Some evening classes may be necessary.

Teaching methods used include classroom-based teaching, lectures, research, on-line learning, practical application, field trips, class presentations and practical placement.

The Diploma consists of 26 compulsory and 6 elective units.

Units

COMPULSORY
Create manipulate and incorporate 2D graphics
Apply colour theory in response to a brief
Apply the design process to 2-dimensional work in response to a brief
Apply the design process to 3-dimensional work in response to a brief
Research and apply the history and theory of design to design practice
Apply techniques to produce digital images
Work effectively as a visual merchandiser
Produce retail visual illustrations
Manufacture visual merchandising support structures
Apply lettering
Produce working drawings
Produce perspective drawings, plans and elevations
Design, construct and maintain props and merchandisers
Develop concept visuals
Maintain display lighting and brief lighting designers
Design and produce store plans and floor layouts
Design merchandisers
Communicate in the workplace
Monitor in-store visual merchandising display
Manage merchandise and store presentation
Present products
Demonstrate merchandising and category presentation skills
Profile a retail market
Apply safe working practices
Maintain store safety
Lead a team to foster innovation

ELECTIVE UNITS
Design a multimedia product
Manage visual merchandising projects
Style merchandise for photography
Design and produce merchandising and in-store presentations
Develop and apply strategies for merchandising and corporate presentations
Create and implement exhibition space