
As you may well know, the phrase “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” holds true in virtually every area of life; it’s for this reason that stores invest time and money into making a great ‘first impression’ – the design of the store’s entrance, after all, is what draws in the customers; eye catching displays in coordinating colors of the season attract the attention of passers by. With the right designs, those people will feel compelled to go into the store to browse and then buy something.
Professionals in the field of visual arts typically become the merchandisers who create the looks that help capture customers’ eyes; with an online degree in this field, you can earn an education that will utilize your creative abilities and enable to you work in this fun, unique job. As a visual merchandiser, you must combine your creativity and artistic ability with a variety of technical and business skills. When you design a display, you must take into consideration business promotion, brand image, seasonal colors and holidays, the interests and behavior of a store’s customer base, and, of course, fashion and/or household decorating trends.
Earning an online degree in visual merchandising will give you the skills necessary to succeed in this business; during your studies, you will typically take the following courses:
- Graphics and photography
- Store design
- Advertising and promotion
- Mannequin presentation and display
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that visual merchandisers made a median annual salary of $50,000 in 2007; the demand for merchandisers is on the rise as retailers have begun to understand the effect of store designs and displays.




Sat, Jul 3, 2010
Bachelor's Degree, Degrees, Online Education