This program provides students with the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge associated with design and staging across all areas of merchandising. The main focus will be modern retail/storefront operations and point of purchase displays. Students will also be exposed to visual merchandising for special events, trade shows, home fashion/real estate, and wedding planning. This program will be of interest to both individuals considering employment in retail operations and entrepreneurs who want to focus on specific merchandising opportunities.
Program Facts
Length: Two-year Ontario College Diploma program Delivery Sequence: Doon (Kitchener) - September/2013 (Open) - Fall | Winter | Fall | Winter Location: Doon (Kitchener) Start: September First-Year Capacity: 60 Tuition: Please refer to Program Fee Chart for information *Fees are higher for international students on a Student Visa. *Recreation/Athletics, Graduation/Alumni, Insurance, as well as program-related costs such as books and supplies are additional.
Program Outcomes
Present and coordinate merchandise so that related goods are shown in a unique, desirable and saleable manner.
Use both written and oral English that emphasizes good organization, clarity, correct grammar which is appropriate for communication purposes in the business environment.
Apply sound practices in financial decision making.
Work with a wide variety of materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, foamcore, wood, laminate, fabric, colour and lighting to solve two and three dimensional design problems.
Apply layout, design principles and techniques, and colour theory to the development of promotional displays and advertising.
Integrate photography effectively into advertising, promotional material and display design.
Recognize influences of past, current, and emerging trends, issues and perspectives on merchandising.
Explain the basic functions of retail store operations including store location and layout, shopping centre analysis, retail market segmentation and strategies, and the merchandising mix.
Communicate promotional themes through effective displays.
Integrate basic personnel functions such as interviewing techniques, basic supervisory skills, motivation, and written and non verbal communication.
Develop basic promotion and advertising including various media for retail advertising.
Design and build scale models and props suitable for use in displays and exhibitions.
Use industry standard tools and techniques.
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent or 19 years of age or older with mature student status. (See Mature Student Definition for details.)
Grade 12 compulsory English, C or U, or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Communications (COMM1270).
An academic strength is calculated by averaging the submitted marks of required subjects. If more than one mark is received for a required subject, the highest mark will be used in the calculation.
Ten (10) additional marks are added to each Advanced level, OAC, U, U/C course used in the calculation of academic strength.
Twenty (20) additional marks are added to each post-secondary course used in the calculation of academic strength. Please note: Beginning with the application cycle for Fall 2014, post-secondary courses used in the calculation of academic strength will receive a bonus of ten (10) marks.
Final selection is made based on academic strength.
A sound English background is important for success in this program and is considered during the admission selection process. Minimum cutoffs apply.
Program Requirements
Students will be required to purchase a design kit from the College Bookstore.
For program information call the Information Centre for details at 519-748-5220 ext. 3656.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Conestoga recognizes prior learning of skills, knowledge or competencies that have been acquired through employment, formal and informal education, non-formal learning or other life experiences. Prior learning must be measurable at the required academic level and meet Conestoga standards of achievement for current courses. Challenge exams and portfolio development are the primary methods of assessment. Other methods of assessment may be available depending upon the nature of the course objectives. Successful completion of the assessment results in an official course credit that will be recorded on the student's Conestoga transcript. PLAR cannot be used by registered Conestoga students for the clearance of academic deficiencies, to improve grades or to obtain admission into a program.
Description: This course explores the effects of colour; both from a holistic schemata and a human environment perspective. Students will identify the physical, chemical and psychological aspects of colour via a blending of theory and practical applications with specific relationships to their field of studies. Hours: 30 Credits: 2 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course will provide students with the theories associated with idea development and to establish solid design strategies from concept to completion. Students will have the opportunity to develop and hone their presentation skills, selling their ideas through a variety of practical scenarios including space planning, visual display, staging and re-staging. This course will contribute to the development of portfolio elements in other courses throughout the program design. Hours: 30 Credits: 2 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This practical computer lab course will develop the student keyboarding and computer skills to an intermediate level. Students will be exposed to a variety of industry specific software technologies and gain a basic operational skill with an ongoing integrated application via other courses. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This is the first course in a series that will provide students with a combination of theoretical and practical skills associated with the design and fabrication of specialized environments. Students will generate designs to address briefs associated with specific client applications and formulate strategies that identify fabrication options. Hours: 60 Credits: 4 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course will provide students with the design elements of two-dimensional graphics and package designs, and build to explore the three-dimensional design demands of cartons, bottles, cans and other containers associated with their program of study. The course will be a blending of theoretical and practical applications which will contribute to other conceptualization and design courses within areas of specialization. Hours: 60 Credits: 4 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: History of Art and Design is a lecture based series that chronologically explores art through the ages, up to and including modern times. Changes in style will be examined through projects, visual presentations and group discussions that examine the impact of art on society and culture. The journey will examine works of great artists, and the influence these works have had on western civilization. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: Students will develop skills and knowledge related to digital imaging in still and motion formats. The main focus will be on still image (photographic) applications with a basic introduction to videography as a tool in various applications. Focus, composition and exposure will form the groundwork that will combine with other technical aspects to provide students with a strong foundation of practical imaging skills. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: Students will explore the technical skills associated with the design and fabrication of scale models. Designs will migrate from the concept and drawing stages to executed models in a variety of mediums. The primary focus for this course will be in a paper and/or wood based medium with the opportunity for students to explore other viable modeling options. Hours: 60 Credits: 4 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This practical hands-on course will engage students in techniques associated with the field of illustration and will contribute to other courses within the program design. Students will work on projects that will develop skills in drawing, rendering, drafting and perspectives with opportunities to move concepts to illustrations, on to actual commissioning in related courses. Hours: 60 Credits: 4 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course will review and develop the student's writing skills as they relate to the workplace. Students will learn how to convey a message and create audience interest. Sentence structure, grammar, punctuation and the rules of composition will be covered. An introduction to research techniques and resources through project-based learning will form the basis for applications in other courses in the program of study. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: Students will build on skills acquired in Level One - Design and Fabrication ? I and the Level Two ? Scale Modeling courses, moving concepts from paper to wood, metal, plastic and other mediums that are utilized in retail and commercial environments. Projects will be detailed in design briefs that culminate in the fabrication of a ?point of purchase’ display. Hours: 60 Credits: 4 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: A continuation of the Level One ? Digital Imaging course students will migrate images into various software programs and manipulate images to meet specific design brief requirements. Students will work primarily in the photographic discipline, and combining technical and aesthetic elements to create an image that speaks to viewer, while addressing design brief requirements. The merging of creative and innovative approaches utilizing technologies and related software will assist students in the generation of distinct elements for incorporation in client presentations and display environments. Hours: 45 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: Students will build off the skills and knowledge acquired in the Level Two Illustrative Techniques I course and integrate computer and software technologies into the illustrative process. Students will work on projects that demonstrate their ability to integrate acquired skills and knowledge into concrete examples of concept to creation methodologies. Hours: 60 Credits: 4 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This is the cornerstone course of the program that allows students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the skills and knowledge associated with design and staging across all areas of merchandising. The main focus will be directed towards modern retail/storefront operations and point of purchase displays, with students also exposed to special events, trade shows, home fashions/real estate, as well as wedding planning. Students will work on projects that span a range of practical applications, incorporating the use of models/mannequins to address traditional, formal, outerwear, casual and fashion trends in retail and event environments. Hours: 90 Credits: 6 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course assists students in developing their own distinct approaches in the designing, styling and staging applications. Students will start with a grounding of traditional methodologies associated with development of retail and commercial applications of storefront and window treatments and then explore and develop unique approaches that address specific design briefs that expand to include trade show and real estate applications. Hours: 60 Credits: 4 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This practical course focuses on strategies and decision making in the retail environment. Students will integrate practical retail mathematics and financial skill to all major retail topics. Some topics of interest include trading, area analysis, retail budgeting, open-to-buy, layout, mark-ups, turnovers, and retail pricing. Hours: 60 Credits: 4 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: Students will examine the principles of advertising and promotion, their individual roles and how they combine into an effective relationship. This is a practical, hands-on course that encourages creative thinking and problem solving; providing students with experience in a variety of advertising problems, and the software required to solve these problems. Students will refine their graphic design abilities and associated computer skills by designing and producing effective advertising and promotional material for retail and commercial applications and explore applications in special events. Hours: 60 Credits: 4 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: Work Experience is an integral part of the Visual Merchandising Arts program. Students are required to complete 80 hours in a satisfactory work experience during the fourth semester of studies. Work Experience is monitored and evaluated by faculty and must be successfully completed before graduation. Hours: 80 Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: Building off the Level Three ? Visual Merchandising I course, students will conceive and commission comprehensive strategies associated within a selected area of visual merchandising, and build a portfolio that demonstrates their skills and knowledge related to their area of specialization. Hours: 90 Credits: 6 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This is an introductory course in Market Research. The role of research in the marketing process and the various types of approaches are examined with the student preparing research reports. Both secondary and primary marketing research is covered with an integrated final project that contributes to student portfolios. Hours: 60 Credits: 4 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Description: This course builds off the Level Three Retail ? I course and is a basic study of the functions of a retail store operation. Store location and layout, shopping centre analysis, retail market segmentation and strategies, and the merchandise mix are examined. This course contributes to the student portfolio with the creation of a detailed, integrated retail project that combine skills and knowledge acquired from related courses in the program. Hours: 60 Credits: 4 Pre-Requisites: CoRequisites:
Graduate Opportunities
100% of 2010-2011 graduates found employment within 6 months of graduation. Their average starting salary was $29,554.
For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities see the Government of Canada web site: http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca
Financial Assistance
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a needs based program designed to help Ontario students cover the cost of post-secondary education. Funded by the federal and provincial governments, OSAP is intended to promote equality of opportunity for post-secondary studies through direct financial assistance for educational costs and living expenses. These interest-free loans are intended to supplement your financial resources and those of your family. The majority of students apply for loan assistance via the OSAP website: http://osap.gov.on.ca. Students can also print the application booklet through the OSAP website.
For more information, please visit Financial Aid/Awards.
Program Advisory Committees
The College appoints Program Advisory Committee members for diploma, degree, certificate and apprenticeship programs. Committees are composed of employers, practitioners and recent program graduates. College representatives (students, faculty, and administrators) are resource persons. Each committee advises the Board on the development of new programs, the monitoring of existing programs and community acceptance of programs.
For a list of the current members, please visit our Program Advisory Committees.
