Sheridan’s award-winning Visual Merchandising Arts Program has been setting the standard for industry training since 1981 – and our standards keep rising. Our graduates stand out for their combination of design, display, merchandising, computer and business skills. But above all, they stand out for their creativity and versatile skillset.
Our goal is to help you achieve growth in creative, business, communication, leadership and interpersonal skills.
You'll get plenty of practical, hands-on experience at Sheridan and we're constantly revising the program to stay current with industry trends.
You'll also master traditional merchandising skills in both fashion/apparel and home and decor.
High Visibility
You'll begin creating three-dimensional displays during your first term in high-visibility display windows right on campus. Sheridan’s merchandising design studio offers a professional setting, and you'll get on-the-job experience during two field placements in Year 2.
You'll graduate with a broad set of technical skills, a professional portfolio, and a diploma from the recognized leader in merchandising education.
Visual Merchandising Arts classes take place at the Trafalgar Road Campus in Oakville, Ontario.
Graduates of the Sheridan Visual Merchandising Arts Program consistently have a high job-placement rate. The merchandising diploma provides entry into a variety of creative and exciting areas, including:
- Fixture design
- Freelance design
- Home furnishing
- Home staging
- Marketing
- Merchandiser
- Merchandising coordinator
- Photo styling- fashion/apparel and/or home fashion
- Prop production
- Set design
- Small business owner
- Space planner
- Special event planner
- Store planning
- Trade show designer
- Window display artist
Program Eligibility
Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, including these required courses:- One English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or ENG4U)
or
Mature student status. (See “Admissions” section for details.)
Applicant Selection
Eligible applicants are selected on the basis of their previous academic achievement (the average of their six highest senior-level credits, including required courses).
Applicants who do not meet the admission requirements for this program will be assessed and advised individually and may be considered for other, related programs.
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| Term 1 |
|
|
| VDES 16693 |
Visual Literacy |
3 |
| VDES 18448 |
Visual Merchandising |
3 |
| VDES 14444 |
Fashion and Styling Techniques |
3 |
| VDES 10146 |
Drafting for Visual Merchandising |
3 |
| ARTS 13921 |
Freehand Drawing |
3 |
| APPL 11662 |
Computer Techniques |
3 |
| COMM 19999 |
Essential Communications |
3 |
| Total: |
|
21 |
|
|
|
| Term 2 |
|
|
| VDES 17370 |
Visual Literacy: Graphic Applications |
3 |
| VDES 10065 |
Retail Merchandising |
3 |
| VDES 17028 |
Fabrication Techniques |
3 |
| VDES 11974 |
CADD for Visual Merchandisers |
3 |
| VDES 14998 |
Perspective Drawing |
3 |
| BUSM 13921 |
Professional Practice
|
3 |
| ATDN 11459 |
Historical Trends in Design |
3 |
| Total: |
|
21 |
|
|
|
| Term 3 |
|
|
| VDES 25142 |
Principles of Residential Design and Home Staging |
3 |
| VDES 24444 |
Retail Merchandising - Advanced |
3 |
| VDES 20025 |
Photography and Styling for Media Production |
3 |
| ARTS 20229 |
Technical Rendering Techniques |
3 |
| FLPL 25917 |
Professional Practice/Field Placement |
3 |
| GNED |
General Education Elective |
3 |
| Total: |
|
18 |
|
|
|
| Term 4 |
|
|
| VDES 10172 |
Set Design |
3 |
| VDES 10261 |
Special Event Planning |
3 |
| VDES 28432 |
Portfolio Development |
3 |
| VDES 25738 |
Tradeshows and Showroom Design |
3 |
| BUSM 27545 |
Project Management/Field Placement |
3 |
| GNED |
General Education Elective |
3 |
| Total: |
|
18 |
Note: Courses subject to change.