Programme NotesAims:
To give a realistic idea of the working life of a visual merchandiser, including:
To raise issues of self-awareness and career exploration, including:
Synopsis:
00.00–01.06
Introduction.
01.07–06.46
Monday
Window dressing. Explains ‘visual merchandiser’, theories of design
Evening at the gym.
06.4 –10.29
Tuesday
Cycling to work. Describes schedule.
Lots of ladder-climbing.
Vikki’s background and getting this job.
After work catch up with friend.
10.30–14.01
Wednesday
Sales preparation – manic activity.
Vikki’s team.
Finishes sale window.
14.02–15.22
Evening dog walk, discusses wages.
15.23–19.45
Thursday
Checking company policy on floor layout. Paperwork.
Rushes home at lunch – preparing for date.
Makeover after work, then – the date.
19.46–22.30
Friday
The morning after – hung-over Vikki made it in on time.
Senior visual manager inspects her work – some criticism, but praise for her big window. Reflects on how Vikki has matured, is now ready for management.
22.31–24.07
Saturday
Vikki given managerial responsibility, reviewing Birmingham store with manager.
Credits
Curriculum Relevance:
England & Wales
This programme is focused on Careers Education and Guidance, but could be used in aspects of PSHE and Citizenship curricula, for KS4 and post-16.
It is appropriate in terms of the national framework of CEG for 11–19 and the recent emphasis on learning through work, as a preparation for work experience and as a ‘TV experience’ of the working environment, with respect to specific learning outcomes of self-development, career exploration, and career management.
Northern Ireland
The series focuses on Careers Education and Guidance. It will also be useful for courses at KS3 and KS4 dealing with Learning for Life and Work, including Education for Employability, Local and Global Citizenship and Personal Development (including PSHE and Home Economics).
It is appropriate in terms of the national framework of CEG for 11–19 and the recent emphasis on learning through work, as a preparation for work experience and as a 'TV experience' of the working environment, with respect to specific learning outcome of self-development, career exploration and career management.
Scotland
This programme focuses on Careers Education and Guidance, and can be used in aspects of PSE and Citizenship curricula at National Qualifications and post-16 level.
It can be used to support learning through work, as a preparation for work experience and as a ‘TV experience’ of the working environment, with respect to specific learning outcomes of self-development, career exploration, and career management.
Background Information:
Shops have one aim and that is to sell their goods. They put a lot of effort into making their goods attractive to customers, enticing them into the shop and drawing their attention to specific items or areas with good design, clear shop-floor layout, attractive and eye-catching displays and clear signage. The visual team, including the visual merchandisers, is responsible for these elements.
Large shops with multiple outlets will make sure their store displays are consistent across all stores. Big stores have visual teams to design and maintain this corporate image. A lot of research goes into the theory of what makes things sell and how the visual elements can boost sales figures – or not!
Suitable qualities
Some things to be aware of!
The hours are usually a 37–40 hour week, but they can go up at peak times.
The work gets intense at times – if there is a sale starting on a certain day, the signs can only go up on that day, not weeks before, so teams work very fast.
The pay is fairly low to start off with – juniors earn around £8,000–£10,000 – but rates rise with experience. More experienced visual designers earn around £20,000, while visual management staff could earn around £50,000.
The work is very physical! You need to be fit and unafraid of carrying large items, climbing up ladders and working in hot and stuffy windows.
The work is very hands on and quite varied. Apart from dressing windows and shops stands, the work includes helping with constructing props, building stands and making signs too.
The work involves cleaning, dusting and maintaining displays.
Displays are changed regularly – so as soon as you’ve finished one project its time to start again!
Training
There have been changes in the training for this work since Vikki did her studying, and people do come into this work from a variety of backgrounds.
There are various courses in visual merchandising, visual display and retail design, including some three-year degree courses. Entry is usually two good A levels or equivalent, including art. Some courses need an art and design foundation course first.
There are NVQ / SVQs in Visual Merchandising as well as two-year HND courses and BTEC diplomas
There are also a number of courses approved by the British Display Society (BDS) at various colleges.
Work experience and a good art and design portfolio may be very helpful in gaining entry into courses.
Where to work
People with visual display skills and experience can work in a number of environments. While usually they are based in shops, there are opportunities in hotels and stately homes, airports, on cruise liners, in the film and TV industry, museums, banks and photographic studios.
Activities:
Write a job description for Vikki’s job
Include all the qualities and skills you think may be necessary after seeing the programme. Describe the various aspects of the work, the hours and working conditions.
Hold mock-interviews for the job.
Analysing visual display – a store outing
Visit a specific store. Make notes of its display, inside and the windows. Notice the general impression / image as well as specific things like colour usage, consistency across windows / internal displays / signage and banners, etc.
Write a critique of a window – what do you think could be improved or what works particularly well. Possibly compare two different shops with different client bases.
Creativity – set a brief and plan a display
One group sets the brief:
Decide what goods are to be displayed, state the size and shape of the available space, and explain what effect is desired. Indicate any specific wording needed.
Another group plans the display:
Situate key items / large objects and work details around them. Consider the scale and look – cluttered or minimalist – plus the colour scheme. Think about the broad layout, plus any details regarding signage, props, etc. Think about key points to draw the eye. Does the pyramid system work here?
Design and make some of the key signs for the window – either freehand or on the PC. (Visual merchandisers have to be able to make their own props sometimes!)
Personal development at work
Discuss the sort of person Vikki appears to be and how suited she is to her work. What kind of team leader is she? (Remember the scene with the present for colleague Ange – what does that say about her relations with her team?). How does she carry herself at work and how is it different from her out of work. Does she behave professionally? Will she go far up the carer ladder?
Links:
This web page contains links to other websites that are neither controlled nor maintained by Channel 4 Television. Channel 4 Television is not responsible for the content of these sites and does not necessarily endorse the material on them.
The British Display Society is useful regarding courses and other information.
http://www.messiterdesign.co.uk/bds/
Just London Jobs lists hundreds of jobs and has a visual merchandiser section – useful for getting an idea of the kinds of jobs that are on offer.
http://www.justlondonjobs.co.uk/
Credits:
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Sound (Bar) Mike Lax, Ewan Reynolds
Music Audio Network
Dubbing Mixer Jim Betteridge
Online editor Matt Scragg
Sound David Marks
Assistant Producer Roz Sinclair
DV Director Imogen Haigh
Production Manager: Pippa White
Executive Producer Andrew Bethell
Editor Sam Bennet
Series Director Nick Woodroffe
Series Producer Ingrid Falck
Produced by Double Exposure for 4Learning
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Camera (Bar) Mike Fox, Zoran Veljkovic
Sound (Bar) Mike Lax, Ewan Reynolds
Music Audio Network
Dubbing Mixer Jim Betteridge
Online editor Matt Scragg
Sound David Marks, Richard Nicholls
Assistant Producer Roz Sinclair
DV Director Imogen Haigh
Production Manager Pippa White
Executive Producer Andrew Bethell
Editor Sam Bennet
Series Director Nick Woodroffe
Series Producer Ingrid Falck
Produced by Double Exposure for 4Learning
Journalist
Camera (Bar) Zoran Veljkovic
Sound (Bar) Ewan Reynolds
Music Audio Network
Dubbing Mixer Jim Betteridge
Online editor Matt Scragg
Sound David Marks, Alice Ballentine-Dykes
Assistant Producer Roz Sinclair, Imogen Haigh
DV Director Sacha Mirxoeff
Production Manager: Pippa White
Executive Producer Andrew Bethell
Editor Jayesh Lathia
Series Director Nick Woodroffe
Series Producer Ingrid Falck
Produced by Double Exposure for 4Learning
Youth Worker and DJ Tutor
Camera (Bar) Mike Fox, Zoran Veljkovic
Sound (Bar) Mike Lax, Ewan Reynolds
Music Audio Network
Dubbing Mixer Jim Betteridge
Online editor Matt Scragg
Sound David Marks, Richard Nicholls
Assistant Producer Roz Sinclair, Imogen Haigh
Production Manager: Pippa White
Executive Producer Andrew Bethell
Editor Sam Bennet
Series Director Nick Woodroffe
Series Producer Ingrid Falck
Produced by Double Exposure for 4Learning
Businesswoman
Camera (Bar) Zoran Veljkovic
Sound (Bar) Ewan Reynolds
Music Audio Network
Dubbing Mixer Jim Betteridge
Online editor Matt Scragg
Sound David Marks,
Assistant Producer Roz Sinclair, Imogen Haigh
Production Manager: Pippa White
Executive Producer Andrew Bethell
Editor Jayesh Lathia
Series Director Nick Woodroffe
Series Producer Ingrid Falck
Produced by Double Exposure for 4Learning
Shop Display
Camera (Bar) Zoran Veljkovic
Sound (Bar) Ewan Reynolds
Music Audio Network
Dubbing Mixer Jim Betteridge
Online editor Matt Scragg
Researcher Richard Nicholls
Sound David Marks, Alice Ballentine Dykes
Assistant Producer Roz Sinclair Imogen Haigh
Production Manager: Pippa White
Executive Producer Andrew Bethell
DV Director Sacha Mirzoeff
Editor Sam Bennet
Series Director Nick Woodroffe
Series Producer Ingrid Falck
Double Exposure for 4 Ventures
