What is Visual Merchandising? Courses, Fees, Top Institutes, Careers & Salary 2025
Akansha BishtSenior Executive
Visual Merchandising is the art of presenting a product or service to boost sales. It plays an important role in attracting and engaging consumers to the business. Visual Merchandising courses teach students how to make displays and layouts of a store, product, or service compelling.
Visual Merchandising courses are offered at various levels including UG, PG, Diploma, and Certification. Admission to Visual Merchandising programs is based on the merit system, hence, candidates aren't required to prepare for entrance exams, they can get admission based on their marks.
Interested candidates can continue reading the article for more Visual Merchandising course details.
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Visual Merchandising Course Details: Highlights
Students can see the table below highlighting the key aspects of Visual Merchandising courses.
| Parameters | Course Details |
|---|---|
| Visual Merchandising Course Level | UG, PG, Diploma, and Certification |
| Visual Merchandising Course Duration | UG: 3 - 4 Years PG: 2 Years Diploma/Certification: 6 Months - 1 Year |
| Visual Merchandising Admission Criteria | Merit-based |
| Top Colleges | NIFT Delhi, NIFT Bangalore, Pearl Academy, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Parul University, Amity University, etc. |
| Course Fee | 5,000 to 22 Lakh |
| Visual Merchandising Job Profiles | Visual Merchandiser, Visual Merchandising Manager, Retail Merchandiser, Furniture Merchandiser, Fashion Consultant, and Export Merchandiser. |
| Visual Merchandising Top Recruiters | Nike, Adidas, Nykaa, UNIQLO, MINISO, Synergy Corporate Interiors, Maps of India, The Karigars, etc. |
| Visual Merchandising Average Salary | INR 4 LPA |
Note: The information is taken from various external sources and may vary.
Links useful for Visual Merchandising courses:
Creativity is the key skill to becoming a visual merchandiser/store manager/brand manager. Besides, candidates must have technical and design expertise. Check below the skills required for visual merchandising.
Creative | Technical know-how |
Sense of design | Ability to think logically |
Leadership skills | Analytical skills |
Communication skills | Problem-solving skills |
Note: The information is taken from various external sources and may vary.
- Visual Merchandising Course Eligibility Criteria
- Visual Merchandising Course Syllabus
- Best Visual Merchandising Colleges in India
- Popular Private Visual Merchandising Colleges in India
- Visual Merchandising Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters
- Visual Merchandising Course FAQs
- Most Popular Courses
- Popular Visual Merchandising UG Courses
- Popular Visual Merchandising PG Courses
- Popular Exams
Visual Merchandising Course Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for Visual Merchandising courses may vary depending on the course levels and colleges providing the programs. However, some basic requirements that every candidate must fulfil are given below:
| Course Level | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate/UG Diploma/Certification |
|
| Postgraduate/PG Diploma |
|
| After 10th Diploma |
|
Note: The information is taken from various external sources and may vary.
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Visual Merchandising Admission Process 2025
Admission to Visual Merchandising courses can be secured based on the merit system. Candidates can refer to the step-wise procedure to be followed to secure admission to the Visual Merchandising course in 2025:
1. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA - The initial step is to check the eligibility criteria of the desired college and ensure fulfilling them.
2. APPLICATION FORM - The next step is to fill out the application form for the college. It includes filling out all the necessary details, along with uploading the required documents.
3. VERIFICATION - Now the college or university will verify the applicant's application. This process can take a few days, once done, they will send a confirmation mail to continue the admission process.
4. COUNSELLING - The last step is to attend the counselling either online or offline. It includes completing all the admission formalities like filling out the forms and paying the admission fee.
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Here are some important documents you should carry during Visual Merchandising admission process:
- Class 10 and 12 marksheets.
- A valid ID Proof (Passport, Adhaar, PAN Card, etc.).
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Migration Certificate.
- Bachelor's degree from a recognised university (if applicable).
Admission to a Certification in Visual Merchandising requires candidates to pass Class 12 from a recognised board or its equivalent from a UGC-recognized institution. Certificate programs in Visual Merchandising are offered in various types, durations, specializations, and levels. Hence, the eligibility requirements may also change accordingly. You can check the official website of your desired college for more accurate information.
Visual Merchandising Course Syllabus
The syllabus for Visual Merchandising courses is varied based on the course level, duration, specialization, etc. For candidates' reference, here's the Visual Merchandising syllabus for different courses based on their course duration and curriculum.
BDes Visual Merchandising Syllabus
BDes in Visual Merchandising is a 4-year-long undergraduate degree program and its syllabus includes core, elective, and lab subjects, along with internship programs.
| BDes in Visual Merchandising Subjects Sem I | |
|---|---|
|
Sketching Drawing 1 |
SLA |
|
Elements of Design |
Material Exploration I |
|
Colour |
Learning how to learn |
|
Geometry |
Living Conversations |
|
BDes in Visual Merchandising Subjects Sem II |
|
|
Sketching Drawing 2 |
Computer Applications |
|
Principles of Design |
Leadership and Teamwork |
|
Design Process |
Critical Thinking and Writing |
|
Material Exploration II |
- |
|
BDes in Visual Merchandising Subjects Sem III |
|
|
Orthography & Design Representation |
Project 1: Simple Furniture & Ergonomics |
|
Materials Technology I |
Design Thinking |
|
Introduction to Retail Design |
Ethical Leadership in the 21st Century (Human Values |
|
Design of Domestic Interiors |
and Ethics) |
|
BDes in Visual Merchandising Subjects Sem IV |
|
|
Visualization & Rendering |
Professional Elective 1 |
|
Materials Technology II |
Professional Elective 2 |
|
Project 2- Structures & Outdoor Furniture |
Working With Data |
|
Estimation & Working Drawings |
Environment and Sustainability |
|
BDes in Visual Merchandising Subjects Sem V |
|
|
Building Technology I |
Project 3: Design of Commercial Spaces |
|
Design of Retail spaces & Visual Merchandising |
Persuasive Presence |
|
Professional Elective 3 |
Exploratory Elective 3 |
|
BDes in Visual Merchandising Subjects Sem VI |
|
|
Building Technology II |
Exploratory Elective 4 |
|
Stacking & Folding Furniture |
Solving Complex Problems |
|
Professional Elective 4 |
Technologies of the Future |
|
Industrial visit |
Future Casting |
|
Project 4:Design for Special Interiors |
Managing Relationships and Being Happy |
|
BDes in Visual Merchandising Subjects Sem VII |
|
|
Design Management |
Exploratory Elective 5 |
|
Professional Elective 5 |
India and Its Place in the Contemporary World |
|
Professional Elective 6 |
Theory of Everything |
|
Summer Internship |
Digital Transformation |
|
Project 5: Design for Hospitality Spaces |
- |
|
BDes in Visual Merchandising Subjects Sem VIII |
|
|
Graduation Project |
- |
Note - The information is taken from various external sources and may vary.
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PG Diploma in Visual Merchandising Syllabus
The PG Diploma in Visual Merchandising program duration is usually from 3 months to 1 year. Here's the syllabus overview of the PG Diploma in Visual Merchandising:
| PG Diploma in Visual Merchandising Subjects | |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Visual Merchandising | Elements of Principles and Design |
| Colour Psychology | Lighting Design |
| Display Error Management | Trend Analysis and Forecasting |
| Vendor Management | Visual Principles and System |
| Importance of shopping Environment | Material Exploration |
| Exterior and Interior Presentation | Props, Fixture, and Signage |
| Consumer Behavior | CAD |
| Draping Style and Mannequin | Computer Application in Art and Design |
Note - The information is taken from various external sources and may vary.
The Visual Merchandising course aims to impart candidates with both theoretical and practical knowledge. During the course, students are first taught the important concepts of Visual Merchandising. After this, they are taught how to use them in real-life scenarios. The subjects taught in Visual Merchandising are given below.
Common Subjects in Visual Merchandising | |
|---|---|
Fundamentals of Visual Merchandising | Importance of the shopping environment |
Elements and Principles of design | Material Exploration |
Colour Phycology | Exterior and Interior Presentation |
Lighting Design | Props, Fixtures and Signage |
Display Error Management | Consumer Behaviour |
Trend Analysis and Forecasting | CAD |
Vendor Management | Visual Principles and Systems |
Note: The information is taken from various external sources and may vary.
A visual Merchandising course is a mix of theoretical as well as practical knowledge. Some topics that are taught to students in such a course are listed below:
- Fundamentals of Visual Merchandising
- Importance of Shopping Environment
- Elements and Principles of Design
- Material Exploration
- Colour Phycology
- Exterior and Interior Presentation
- Lighting Design
Best Visual Merchandising Colleges in India
There are around 100 colleges in India offering Visual Merchandising courses at different levels, specializations, and modes. These colleges, along with offering advanced learning, provide great placement opportunities to students in the Design field. Interested candidates can see the tables below offering some top government and private Visual Merchandising college options in India.
Best Government Colleges for Visual Merchandising
Very few government colleges in India offer Visual Merchandising courses. Here are some top options among them:
| Best Government Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| NIFT Delhi | INR 1.42 Lakh |
| NIFT Bangalore | INR 74,340 - INR 1.42 Lakh |
| NIFT Shillong | INR 70,800 |
| MSU Baroda | INR 53,380 |
| YWCA Women’s Training Institute | INR 22,210 |
| YWCA Vocational Training Institute | INR 85,000 |
Note - The information is sourced from the official body of the institute.
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Best Private Colleges for Visual Merchandising
More than 60 private colleges in India offer Visual Merchandising courses on various levels and modes. Here are some top options among them:
| Best Private Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Amity University, Noida | INR 2.88 Lakh |
| Designers' Institute | INR 55,000 |
| Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand University | INR 1.4 Lakh |
| IFT YMCA Delhi | INR 46,305 |
| Indian Institute of Art and Design | INR 21.92 Lakh |
| JD Institute of Fashion Technology | INR 70,800 |
| Parul University | INR 2.8 Lakh |
| Pearl Academy Mumbai | INR 2.32 Lakh |
| SOFT, Pune | INR 4.5 Lakh |
| Xaviers Institute of Business Management Studies | INR 13,900 |
Note - The information is sourced from the official body of the institute.
Yes, there are a few distance colleges offering Visual Merchandising courses in India. Some top options among them include:
| Distance Visual Merchandising Colleges | Tuition Fe |
|---|---|
| Xaviers Institute of Business Management Studies | INR 13,900 |
| Kazian School of Management | - |
Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.
Here are some popular Visual Merchandising colleges in India offering great placement opportunities to students:
| Top Visual Merchandising Colleges | Average Package Offered |
|---|---|
| PSG College of Technology | INR 6 LPA |
| Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya | INR 1.84 LPA |
Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.
Popular Private Visual Merchandising Colleges in India
Visual Merchandising Applications open. Apply Now
Visual Merchandising Career Scope: Job Profiles, Salary and Top Recruiters
Visual Merchandising career scope is bright with the Design industry constantly evolving. Various fields in the Design industry hire Visual Merchandising students for numerous job roles. Every retail brand, be it clothing, furniture, or auto requires the visual display of both the interior and exterior of their stores to be visually appealing. Visual Merchandising professionals not only help brands design their stores but also financial decision-making, vendor management and more.
Know all about Design Career Scope
Visual Merchandising Career: Top Job Profiles
With the ever-changing consumer needs and market trends, the job opportunities for Design professionals also grow. Visual Merchandising students can seek employment options in various fields related to Design such as Interior Design, Fashion Design, Furniture Design, Automotive Design, and so on. Here are some popular Visual Merchandising job profiles in India along with salary and other details.
| Job Profiles | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Visual Merchandiser | INR 4 LPA |
| Visual Merchandising Manager | INR 8.2 LPA |
| Retail Merchandiser | INR 4.7 LPA |
| Furniture Merchandiser | INR 5.2 LPA |
| Fashion Consultant | INR 2.8 LPA |
| Export Merchandiser | INR 4.7 LPA |
Note - The salary information is gathered from Ambitionbox.com.
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Visual Merchandising Career: Top Recruiters
Numerous Fashion, Interior Design, Furniture, Automotive Design companies, etc., hire Visual Merchandising students for various job roles. Here are some of the top recruiters for Visual Merchandising in India:
| Visual Merchandising Top Recruiters | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nike | Adidas | Pantaloons |
| Decathlon | UNIQLO | MINISO |
| Synergy Corporate Interiors | Maps of India | The Karigars |
Note - The information is taken from various external sources and may vary.
Visual Merchandisers use their design skills in order to promote the image, products and services of a retail business or any other organization. A Visual Merchandiser creates product displays that are eye-catching and ensures that the store layout is such that customers can easily navigate through it and are encouraged to buy.
Visual Merchandising is the new age art of displaying merchandise in a manner that it becomes appealing in the eyes of the customer. Visual Merchandising includes displays, signs, internal displays, promotions, etc; and it gives the retailer an opportunity to bring life to their store products. These days each and every store requires a good Visual Merchandiser.
Any company having its retail outlet will hire them. To list some; BATA, Lifestyle, Pantaloons, Globus, Titain, etc. Hope it helps. Wish You Luck!
Visual Merchandising Course FAQs
Candidates can refer to this section for Visual Merchandising Course FAQs.
Visual Merchandising is the practice of creating attractive retail displays to increase sales. The same principles of visual marketing apply to Technology Merchandise, which includes items like cameras, laptops, smartphones, and other electronic devices.
Candidates must have completed their Class 12 level education from a recognised board to pursue a graduation course in visual merchandising. Further, to become a visual merchandiser, one needs to have a basic graduation degree or Diploma in this field.
Most Popular Courses
Popular Visual Merchandising UG Courses
UG Courses
- UG Diploma
33 Colleges
- B.Sc.
4 Colleges
- B.Des
2 Colleges
Popular Visual Merchandising PG Courses
PG Courses
- PG Diploma
5 Colleges
- M.Sc.
4 Colleges
- M.A.
3 Colleges
- M.Des
1 College
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The Visual Merchandising course is available in many specializations for candidates to choose from. Here are some top disciplines in which Visual Merchandising courses are offered:
Course
Duration
Annual Average Fee
B. Des
4 years
INR 8 Lakh
BVA
3 years
INR 10,000
BFA
3 years
INR 2.65 Lakh
M.Des
2 years
INR 11.25 Lakh
MVA
2 years
INR 10,000
MFA
2 years
INR 46,600
Note: The information is taken from various external sources and may vary.