Visual Merchandising Arts

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Courses - September 2023

Level 1

Course details

Concept to Completion
ARTS1435

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: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

College Reading & Writing Skills
COMM1085

Description: This course introduces students to the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed for academic and workplace success. Students will analyse a variety of texts and apply the steps of planning, writing, and revising to produce writing that meets the expectations of selected audiences and purposes. The course prepares students for college-level writing tasks, research, and documentation by asking them to produce clear, informed, and purposeful documents relevant to both academic and professional contexts.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Creative Technologies I
COMP1136

Description:

This practical and creative computer lab course will develop the student’s computer skills to an intermediate level. This course will introduce students to industry specific software, which will be explored as a tool for creative communication and expression. Upon course completion, students will be able to navigate through the programs with confidence, creating project-based assignments in a variety of different applications and outputs.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.
  • Hours: 1
  • Credits: 0
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Retail Merchandising I
DSGN1350

Description: This is the cornerstone course of the program that allows students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the skills and knowledge associated with the art and science of merchandising. This introduction to merchandising will focus on the basics of merchandising display techniques, window displays, merchandising terminology and an overview of the visual merchandising industry.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Introduction to Design - Visual Merchandising Arts
DSGN1490

Description: This course will provide students with experience in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional design. Students will work on projects that will develop skills in drawing, rendering, drafting and perspectives with opportunities to move concepts through from illustrations to creating three-dimensional projects. This course also explores colour theory and the psychology of colour on marketing trends, the environment and branding products.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Safety in the Workplace
OHS1320

Description: This course focuses on developing awareness and skills for the student to safely manage and conduct him or herself within a variety of employment settings. Through the units of the course, participants will have the opportunity to enhance their understanding and knowledge of general Health and Safety guidelines, including WHMIS, Fire Safety and Workplace Violence. The unit on Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act will instruct the student on the requirements for Accessible Customer Service and Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulations. General information on Safe Driving, Privacy of Information and Hand Washing will be addressed as well. The course also provides participants with critical information regarding their insurance coverage (WSIB or other) while employed. As well as guidelines to follow in the event of an injury. Participants will receive a printable Record of Completion upon successful conclusion of this course, in order to demonstrate awareness of safe working practices to their employers.
  • Hours: 14
  • Credits: 1
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 2

Course details

Scale Modeling
ARTS1200

Description:

Students will explore the technical skills associated with the design and fabrication of scale models and drawings. With a focus on detail and accuracy, the course will teach the basics of drafting; lettering, line weights and symbols in creating interior floor plans, elevations and orthographic drawings. The fundamentals of scale modeling will also be introduced; students will create three-dimensional models, using a variety of mediums to explore technical skills and to understand scale, proportion and volume of spaces. Understanding and interpreting physical measurements into a variety of different scales, both in two-dimensional form (drawing) and three-dimensional form (models) will be essential to the course.

  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Creative Technologies II
ARTS2000

Description: Students will build off the skills and knowledge acquired in Creative Technologies I 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. Students will work on projects from several areas of study in the Visual Merchandising Arts program.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Retail Merchandising II
DSGN1480

Description: Building upon the Retail Merchandising I course, students will dive deeper into the world of retail design, merchandising strategies, the evolving retail environment, and the science behind consumer shopping habits.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Styling and Design
DSGN2190

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 event applications.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

History of Style
HIST1010

Description: This course will focus on the history of style as it pertains to fashion, art, furniture, architecture, and display. We will review retail trends and the evolution of window displays with focuses on popular display artists and techniques throughout history within western civilizations.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Level 3

Course details

Creative Technologies III
ARTS2150

Description: Within this course, students will refine their skills using the latest creative design software, as well as develop new skills within packaging design software. Students will learn to communicate their concepts in a client style scenario by providing both 2 and 3 dimensional concepts.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Retail Merchandising III
ARTS2201

Description: Building upon the Retail Merchandising II, this course focuses on space planning, looking at industry standard technology, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems, automatic replenishment, and the future of retail.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Prop Production
DSGN2421

Description: This is a tactile course where students will learn design and fabrication methods within the visual merchandising industry. Students will generate designs and fabricate props to address briefs associated with specific client applications.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Field Placement (Visual Merchandising)
FPLT2000

Description: This course prepares students and facilitates a placement experience with a company/agency which has been approved by the program. Students will review employability skills in class and then practise these skills as they take an active role in securing a placement. Students will refine self-marketing techniques to establish cohesive branding of themselves at a professional level. Engaging in the work environment of a professionally relevant company/agency will allow students to apply their education and skills contributing to their mutual benefit. Appropriate workplace behaviour and etiquette is expected as students use this opportunity to expand their network of industry contacts and effectively market their personal brand. Through this experience, students can cultivate confidence, escalate awareness of industry practices, add to their resume & portfolio, and contribute to their own career success.
  • Hours: 88
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: OHS1320 AND OHS8320
  • CoRequisites:

Principles of Retail
MKT2175

Description: This applied course focuses on strategies and decision making for retail environments, including bricks and mortar and on-line stores. Store location, layout and merchandise mix are examined. Students will integrate practical retail mathematics and financial skill to all major retail topics. Some areas of study include pricing, retail budgeting, forecasting and technology. Human elements including customer service strategies, employee management, demographics and the psychology of shopping will be explored. This course contributes to the student portfolio with the creation of a detailed, integrated retail project that combines skills and knowledge acquired from related courses in the program.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Photostyling
PHOT2010

Description: This course introduces students to photography and product styling – empowering them to become the director and photographer of their product shots. Students will learn the functions of a digital camera, photo editing software, and styling techniques to enhance their digital imaging.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Level 4

Course details

Visual Merchandising Arts Capstone
ARTS2210

Description: The Visual Merchandising Capstone is culmination of skills and knowledge developed throughout the program. In this course, students will work with a professional client to produce a final project that reflects their area of interest within the industry.
  • Hours: 84
  • Credits: 6
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Design and Branding
DSGN2250

Description: Students will examine the principles of design when branding and marketing products within the field of visual merchandising and display. This is a practical, hands-on course that encourages creative thinking and problem solving. Students will create positive solutions to difficult design problems, using industry standard software. Students will refine their graphic design abilities and associated computer skills by designing and producing effective promotional and branding materials for retail, commercial and special event applications.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Entrepreneurship
ENTR2051

Description: In this course, students will research and identify the qualities necessary to become an entrepreneur starting a new small business. Research and examination of the strategies and elements necessary to create a start-up business using competitive analysis and feasibility studies will be undertaken. The elements developed include systems for cash flow management, crafting a business profile, identifying target markets and preparing marketing and operational plans. A business plan will be developed in accordance to financial institution expectations.
  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Event Planning
MKT1350

Description:

This course allows students the opportunity to learn how to plan, project manage and execute an event for a specific client and/or target market. Students will create the concept or theme for an event thoroughly investigating every aspect and component of successful event planning. Students will develop the branding, marketing strategy, logistics and schedules adhering to a client's goals, budgets and timelines and manage the production of a successful event.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
Electives: General Education
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

Program outcomes

  1. Present and coordinate merchandise so that related goods are shown in a unique, desirable and saleable manner.
  2. Communicate ideas professionally using oral, written, and visual skills in order to convey concepts to specified audiences.
  3. Apply sound retail and commercial business practices in order to plan and execute projects that meet client expectations or entrepreneurial goals.
  4. Choose appropriate materials and/or technology to illustrate and display creative concepts and execute project plans in 2 and 3 dimensions.
  5. Synthesize the elements and principles of design to create visually-effective promotional displays.
  6. Utilize digital imagery to effectively communicate concepts for promotional and business purposes.
  7. Research and interpret how past, current, and emerging trends and cultural influences impact consumer behaviours.
  8. Implement various strategies within bricks-and-mortar and/or online retail environments to meet operational goals.
  9. Perform effectively and efficiently using professional interpersonal skills to succeed within independent and collaborative environments.
  10. Brand or re-brand products and services using various marketing techniques to attain a unified identity.
  11. Utilize industry standard tools, techniques, technologies, and best practices to effectively execute concepts.