Diploma of Visual Merchandising

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National code: SIR50217 Diploma (TAFE) Wantirna Send me a link to this course

If making things look beautiful is your thing, this is the course for you. Use your flair for creativity, design and styling in our Diploma of Visual Merchandising. Gain core skills in design principles, history and colour theory, digital styling, window styling, creative collaborations, and hands-on building of props, design and applying signage.

This course is created with industry, so you’ll be immersed with industry from the moment you start. You could be designing, styling and creating displays for major Australian brands. Not to mention building a stunning portfolio and the connections to land your dream job – all before you even graduate. Maybe this is why our design grads have among the highest employment levels in Australia!

We simulate industry even when you’re in the classroom. Try on a range of industry roles to see how they fit, learn how to respond strategically to client briefs, and gain collaborative and presentation skills. Plus, gain the negotiation and business skills to give you a competitive edge.

Your ability to creatively problem-solve and make things look staggeringly splendid could see you in demand as a visual merchandiser (working in a team, in-store or as a coordinator) or fashion stylist, food stylist, interior stylist, digital stylist or event stylist.

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Duration

1 year full-time

Intakes

Wantirna (March) - View application and start dates

Study mode

Full-time

VTAC course code

3401078254 (fee type determined by provider)

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

Student work

Industry project with Typo
Industry project with Typo
Industry project with Peter Alexander
Industry project with Peter Alexander
Industry project with Cable
Industry project with Cable
Industry project with Cable
Industry project with Cable

Course information in detail

- Course detail, course structure and units of study.

Course description

This innovative course will kick start individuals for an exciting and flexible career in visual merchandising. It offers personalised teaching with passionate professionals through meaningful classroom interaction and hands-on training. Engaging with dynamic industry partners on projects, you can expect to enjoy a career both locally and on the international stage.

With a focus on the contemporary retail landscape, this course equips creatives with the skills, understanding and experience to think spatially within the design environment. An emphasis on branding, store design and commercial display outcomes, provides a strong foundation to work with both large corporate entities and enterprising bespoke businesses.

Course structure

To be awarded the Diploma of Visual Merchandising, students are required to complete the 16 units of study listed below.

Units of study

Core units

Produce drawings to communicate ideas (CUAACD301)

Develop visual merchandising creative concepts (SIRRMER004)

Implement visual merchandising concepts (SIRRMER005)

Achieve visual merchandising targets (SIRRMER006)

Design and install visual merchandising displays (SIRRMER007)

Style using visual merchandising aids (SIRRMER010)

Design and install merchandise signage (SIRRMER011)

Contribute to workplace health and safety (SIRXWHS002)

Elective units

Explore the use of colour (BSBDES301)

Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms (BSBDES303)

Source and apply information on the history and theory of design (BSBDES305)

Produce computer-aided drawings (CUAACD302)

Plan and style merchandise photo shoots (SIRRMER008)

Develop retail space and product management plans (SIRRMER012)

Develop visual merchandising guidelines (SIRRMER013)

Prepare digital content (SIRXECM002)

Careers and graduate outcomes

- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.

Career opportunities

Graduates have secured roles in diverse industries such as in-store regional and state visual merchandising; retail project management; freelance styling; buying; head office visual merchandising management; events; consultancy. An active alumni provides an engaging and energetic network whilst pathway opportunities exist from the course to the following majors in the Bachelor of Design: Branded Environments; Communication Design; Digital Media Design.

Aims and objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will be proficient in: product and in-store presentation; corporate branding, commercial and store design, styling and photography; working with an industry brief; industry standard software programs, and communication of creative design.

Professional recognition

The course is supported by the Wholesale, Retail and Personal Services Industry Training Board and industry representatives of the visual merchandising industry.

Pathways and scholarships

- Pathways, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.

Scholarships

At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. Find out more about scholarships.

Credit

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about credit.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about RPL.

Course fees and requirements

- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.

Course fees

A VET Student Loan is available for this course – allowing you to defer part of your fees if you're eligible.

Please note: The maximum VET Student Loan amount for this course is $10,528. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.

Diploma of Visual Merchandising Estimated course fees for 2020*
*You will need to pay this amount if you do not* receive a VET Student Loan**	This course is not eligible for Free TAFE	$5,420	$12,630
You will need to pay this amount if you do receive a VET Student Loan	This course is not eligible for Free TAFE	Fully Covered	$2,102

Estimated course fees for 2020*

For students who are granted a Free TAFE place

For students who are granted a Skills First government-subsidised place

For students who are not granted a Skills First government-subsidised place

You will need to pay this amount if you do not receive a VET Student Loan

This course is not eligible for Free TAFE

$5,420

$12,630

You will need to pay this amount if you do receive a VET Student Loan

This course is not eligible for Free TAFE

Fully Covered

$2,102

Skills First
If you’re deemed eligible, you could be granted a Skills First government-subsidised place when you apply for this course. Check your eligibility now.

This course is delivered with state government funding.

Indicative nominal course hours: 975.

Please note: Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2020 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted for this course, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Find out more about fees.

Entry requirements

Entry into this program is based on an applicant’s study and/or relevant work history. Some additional criteria may also apply.

Additional requirements

Applicants require a minimum of Year 12 completion or equivalent. Applicants without formal qualifications but with significant relevant work experience are welcome to apply.

How to apply

Find out more about how to apply.

Find out more

Submit an online enquiry
Tel: 1300 SWINBURNE

Email: study@swinburne.edu.au

Training Organisation Identifier (TOID): 3059