A seamless transition from VM to UX
A seamless transition from VM to UX
A seamless transition from VM to UX
My journey from creating engaging in-store experiences to cultivating delightful digital experiences.
My journey from creating engaging in-store experiences to cultivating delightful digital experiences.
My journey from creating engaging in-store experiences to cultivating delightful digital experiences.
Crafting customer journeys
Crafting customer journeys
Crafting customer journeys
As a Visual Merchandiser for an apparel brand, I was responsible for creating visually appealing and strategically designed in-store displays to enhance the customer shopping experience and drive sales. My role focused on ensuring that the layout, product placement, and overall aesthetic of the store aligned with the brand’s identity and messaging while also maximizing product visibility and engagement.
As a Visual Merchandiser for an apparel brand, I was responsible for creating visually appealing and strategically designed in-store displays to enhance the customer shopping experience and drive sales. My role focused on ensuring that the layout, product placement, and overall aesthetic of the store aligned with the brand’s identity and messaging while also maximizing product visibility and engagement.
As a Visual Merchandiser for an apparel brand, I was responsible for creating visually appealing and strategically designed in-store displays to enhance the customer shopping experience and drive sales. My role focused on ensuring that the layout, product placement, and overall aesthetic of the store aligned with the brand’s identity and messaging while also maximizing product visibility and engagement.
Key responsibilities
Key responsibilities
Key responsibilities
Store layout and product placement
Store layout and product placement
Store layout and product placement
I worked closely with store management to design floor plans that optimized traffic flow and product accessibility. By strategically placing high-demand items in key locations, I guided customers through the store, encouraging them to explore and discover new products and collections. Through careful product placement, I created focal points that highlighted key products, new arrivals, or promotional items.
As fashion trends and seasons changed, I worked with store teams to update displays to reflect new collections, ensuring that the visual merchandising remained fresh and engaging.
I worked closely with store management to design floor plans that optimized traffic flow and product accessibility. By strategically placing high-demand items in key locations, I guided customers through the store, encouraging them to explore and discover new products and collections. Through careful product placement, I created focal points that highlighted key products, new arrivals, or promotional items.
As fashion trends and seasons changed, I worked with store teams to update displays to reflect new collections, ensuring that the visual merchandising remained fresh and engaging.
I worked closely with store management to design floor plans that optimized traffic flow and product accessibility. By strategically placing high-demand items in key locations, I guided customers through the store, encouraging them to explore and discover new products and collections. Through careful product placement, I created focal points that highlighted key products, new arrivals, or promotional items.
As fashion trends and seasons changed, I worked with store teams to update displays to reflect new collections, ensuring that the visual merchandising remained fresh and engaging.
Window and in-store displays
Window and in-store displays
Window and in-store displays
I was responsible for designing window displays that would attract potential customers into the store. Using seasonal themes, color schemes, trend forecasting as well as analyzing sales to determine items that typically sell well in the market, I ensured that the displays were aligned with current fashion trends and the brand’s marketing campaigns.
I was responsible for designing window displays that would attract potential customers into the store. Using seasonal themes, color schemes, trend forecasting as well as analyzing sales to determine items that typically sell well in the market, I ensured that the displays were aligned with current fashion trends and the brand’s marketing campaigns.
I was responsible for designing window displays that would attract potential customers into the store. Using seasonal themes, color schemes, trend forecasting as well as analyzing sales to determine items that typically sell well in the market, I ensured that the displays were aligned with current fashion trends and the brand’s marketing campaigns.
Storytelling
Storytelling
Storytelling
My role was not just about making things look good—it was about telling a story through the arrangement of products, props, and visuals. I worked to create a cohesive brand experience that communicated the seasonal messages to customers.
My role was not just about making things look good—it was about telling a story through the arrangement of products, props, and visuals. I worked to create a cohesive brand experience that communicated the seasonal messages to customers.
My role was not just about making things look good—it was about telling a story through the arrangement of products, props, and visuals. I worked to create a cohesive brand experience that communicated the seasonal messages to customers.
Sales optimization
Sales optimization
Sales optimization
By analyzing customer behavior and sales data, I continuously adjusted product placement and visual strategies to boost sales. I collaborated with the regional manager and key executives to move product through different markets to enhance sales.
By analyzing customer behavior and sales data, I continuously adjusted product placement and visual strategies to boost sales. I collaborated with the regional manager and key executives to move product through different markets to enhance sales.
By analyzing customer behavior and sales data, I continuously adjusted product placement and visual strategies to boost sales. I collaborated with the regional manager and key executives to move product through different markets to enhance sales.
Training and collaboration
Training and collaboration
Training and collaboration
I provided training to in-store staff on brand visual merchandising principles, ensuring that displays remained consistent and up to standard. Additionally, I collaborated with other VM's and head office teams to establish visual standards to ensure a cohesive brand aesthetic through the North America region.
I provided training to in-store staff on brand visual merchandising principles, ensuring that displays remained consistent and up to standard. Additionally, I collaborated with other VM's and head office teams to establish visual standards to ensure a cohesive brand aesthetic through the North America region.
I provided training to in-store staff on brand visual merchandising principles, ensuring that displays remained consistent and up to standard. Additionally, I collaborated with other VM's and head office teams to establish visual standards to ensure a cohesive brand aesthetic through the North America region.
Through these efforts, I contributed to creating a shopping environment that was not only aesthetically pleasing but also engaging and conducive to strong sales performance, enhancing the overall customer experience and strengthening brand presence.
Through these efforts, I contributed to creating a shopping environment that was not only aesthetically pleasing but also engaging and conducive to strong sales performance, enhancing the overall customer experience and strengthening brand presence.
Through these efforts, I contributed to creating a shopping environment that was not only aesthetically pleasing but also engaging and conducive to strong sales performance, enhancing the overall customer experience and strengthening brand presence.
The journey to UX
The journey to UX
The journey to UX
As a visual merchandiser, I was always fascinated by seeing my creative solutions come to life and observing customers gravitate towards them. It was rewarding to be able to step back and appreciate the impact you could have on a business, sometimes almost instantly and sometimes with the smallest change.
I was always interested in making the leap into the digital space. So when I thought about what that evolution could look like, I stumbled across UX design with the thanks of my husband. I remember when he said to me "UX design is kinda like what you do as a VM but in the digital space." That intrigued me
As I digged into the discipline, I understood immediately what he meant.
As a visual merchandiser, I was always fascinated by seeing my creative solutions come to life and observing customers gravitate towards them. It was rewarding to be able to step back and appreciate the impact you could have on a business, sometimes almost instantly and sometimes with the smallest change.
I was always interested in making the leap into the digital space. So when I thought about what that evolution could look like, I stumbled across UX design with the thanks of my husband. I remember when he said to me "UX design is kinda like what you do as a VM but in the digital space." That intrigued me
As I digged into the discipline, I understood immediately what he meant.
As a visual merchandiser, I was always fascinated by seeing my creative solutions come to life and observing customers gravitate towards them. It was rewarding to be able to step back and appreciate the impact you could have on a business, sometimes almost instantly and sometimes with the smallest change.
I was always interested in making the leap into the digital space. So when I thought about what that evolution could look like, I stumbled across UX design with the thanks of my husband. I remember when he said to me "UX design is kinda like what you do as a VM but in the digital space." That intrigued me
As I digged into the discipline, I understood immediately what he meant.
Aligned by design
Aligned by design
Aligned by design
There are many similarities between the core principles and design process of visual merchandising and UX design. While visual merchandising shapes in-store experiences and UX design focuses on digital interactions, both are centered around the user, balancing aesthetic with functionality. From research and brainstorming to design, testing, and ongoing updates, both roles aim to engage and guide their audience effectively. Even though they operate in different spaces, their principles closely align.
There are many similarities between the core principles and design process of visual merchandising and UX design. While visual merchandising shapes in-store experiences and UX design focuses on digital interactions, both are centered around the user, balancing aesthetic with functionality. From research and brainstorming to design, testing, and ongoing updates, both roles aim to engage and guide their audience effectively. Even though they operate in different spaces, their principles closely align.
There are many similarities between the core principles and design process of visual merchandising and UX design. While visual merchandising shapes in-store experiences and UX design focuses on digital interactions, both are centered around the user, balancing aesthetic with functionality. From research and brainstorming to design, testing, and ongoing updates, both roles aim to engage and guide their audience effectively. Even though they operate in different spaces, their principles closely align.
Core principles
Core principles
Core principles
User-centric approach
User-centric approach
User-centric approach
In visual merchandising, understanding customer behavior and preferences is essential for creating displays that draw attention and drive engagement. Similarly, UX design focuses on user-centered design, where research and user needs shape the product. Both fields emphasize the importance of knowing your audience to create effective and relevant experiences.
In visual merchandising, understanding customer behavior and preferences is essential for creating displays that draw attention and drive engagement. Similarly, UX design focuses on user-centered design, where research and user needs shape the product. Both fields emphasize the importance of knowing your audience to create effective and relevant experiences.
In visual merchandising, understanding customer behavior and preferences is essential for creating displays that draw attention and drive engagement. Similarly, UX design focuses on user-centered design, where research and user needs shape the product. Both fields emphasize the importance of knowing your audience to create effective and relevant experiences.
Aesthetic and functional balance
Aesthetic and functional balance
Aesthetic and functional balance
Visual merchandising requires balancing aesthetics with practical store layouts and product placement to ensure ease of navigation, product visibility and shopability. In UX design, this translates to balancing visual appeal with usability, ensuring the interface is both attractive and easy to use. Both roles prioritize making things look good while maintaining functionality.
Visual merchandising requires balancing aesthetics with practical store layouts and product placement to ensure ease of navigation, product visibility and shopability. In UX design, this translates to balancing visual appeal with usability, ensuring the interface is both attractive and easy to use. Both roles prioritize making things look good while maintaining functionality.
Visual merchandising requires balancing aesthetics with practical store layouts and product placement to ensure ease of navigation, product visibility and shopability. In UX design, this translates to balancing visual appeal with usability, ensuring the interface is both attractive and easy to use. Both roles prioritize making things look good while maintaining functionality.
Storytelling
Storytelling
Storytelling
In visual merchandising, displays tell a story through product arrangement and design elements, guiding customers through a narrative. In UX, this is achieved through information architecture and content strategy, which structure content to create a seamless and engaging user journey. Both fields use storytelling to connect with their audience and create a memorable experience.
In visual merchandising, displays tell a story through product arrangement and design elements, guiding customers through a narrative. In UX, this is achieved through information architecture and content strategy, which structure content to create a seamless and engaging user journey. Both fields use storytelling to connect with their audience and create a memorable experience.
In visual merchandising, displays tell a story through product arrangement and design elements, guiding customers through a narrative. In UX, this is achieved through information architecture and content strategy, which structure content to create a seamless and engaging user journey. Both fields use storytelling to connect with their audience and create a memorable experience.
Iterative design and testing
Iterative design and testing
Iterative design and testing
Visual merchandisers continuously refine displays based on customer feedback and sales data, much like UX designers refine digital products through prototyping and usability testing. Both fields rely on iteration and real-world feedback to optimize the design and improve overall effectiveness.
Visual merchandisers continuously refine displays based on customer feedback and sales data, much like UX designers refine digital products through prototyping and usability testing. Both fields rely on iteration and real-world feedback to optimize the design and improve overall effectiveness.
Visual merchandisers continuously refine displays based on customer feedback and sales data, much like UX designers refine digital products through prototyping and usability testing. Both fields rely on iteration and real-world feedback to optimize the design and improve overall effectiveness.
Process
Process
Process
Research and discovery
Research and discovery
Research and discovery
Both roles use in-depth research to understand target audience. Visual merchandisers focus on market trends and in-store behaviours, while UX designers focus on user needs and digital behaviours.
Both roles use in-depth research to understand target audience. Visual merchandisers focus on market trends and in-store behaviours, while UX designers focus on user needs and digital behaviours.
Both roles use in-depth research to understand target audience. Visual merchandisers focus on market trends and in-store behaviours, while UX designers focus on user needs and digital behaviours.
Ideation and concept development
Ideation and concept development
Ideation and concept development
Both roles use ideation and visualization to guide the design process. Visual merchandisers focus on physical space, while UX designers focus on digital flow and interaction.
Both roles use ideation and visualization to guide the design process. Visual merchandisers focus on physical space, while UX designers focus on digital flow and interaction.
Both roles use ideation and visualization to guide the design process. Visual merchandisers focus on physical space, while UX designers focus on digital flow and interaction.
Design execution
Design execution
Design execution
Both roles involve creating a visually appealing experience with a clear visual hierarchy.
Both roles involve creating a visually appealing experience with a clear visual hierarchy.
Both roles involve creating a visually appealing experience with a clear visual hierarchy.
Testing and iteration
Testing and iteration
Testing and iteration
Both roles involve testing and refining designs based on real-world feedback. Visual merchandisers adjust displays in response to sales and customer behaviour, while UX designers iterate based on user testing data.
Both roles involve testing and refining designs based on real-world feedback. Visual merchandisers adjust displays in response to sales and customer behaviour, while UX designers iterate based on user testing data.
Both roles involve testing and refining designs based on real-world feedback. Visual merchandisers adjust displays in response to sales and customer behaviour, while UX designers iterate based on user testing data.
Launch and evaluation
Launch and evaluation
Launch and evaluation
Both roles culminate in a launch where the effectiveness of the design is evaluated. Visual merchandisers look at sales and customer interactions, while UX designers focus on engagement metrics and user feedback.
Both roles culminate in a launch where the effectiveness of the design is evaluated. Visual merchandisers look at sales and customer interactions, while UX designers focus on engagement metrics and user feedback.
Both roles culminate in a launch where the effectiveness of the design is evaluated. Visual merchandisers look at sales and customer interactions, while UX designers focus on engagement metrics and user feedback.
Continuous improvement
Continuous improvement
Continuous improvement
Both roles involve an ongoing process of improvement. Visual merchandisers update displays to match evolving trends, while UX designers iterate on products to meet changing user needs.
Both roles involve an ongoing process of improvement. Visual merchandisers update displays to match evolving trends, while UX designers iterate on products to meet changing user needs.
Both roles involve an ongoing process of improvement. Visual merchandisers update displays to match evolving trends, while UX designers iterate on products to meet changing user needs.
Skill transfer
Skill transfer
Skill transfer
The skills I gained as a Visual Merchandiser have carried over to UX design. Whether designing store layouts or digital interfaces, the same core skills have helped me transition smoothly between the two fields.
The skills I gained as a Visual Merchandiser have carried over to UX design. Whether designing store layouts or digital interfaces, the same core skills have helped me transition smoothly between the two fields.
The skills I gained as a Visual Merchandiser have carried over to UX design. Whether designing store layouts or digital interfaces, the same core skills have helped me transition smoothly between the two fields.
Communication and collaboration
Communication and collaboration
Communication and collaboration
In visual merchandising, I worked closely with store teams, marketing, and designers to ensure that displays aligned with the brand’s message and sales goals. This required clear communication and collaboration to bring ideas to life and maintain consistency across different locations. Similarly, in UX design, collaborating with stakeholders, developers, and other team members is crucial to delivering a cohesive product. Effective communication is key in both roles, ensuring that all teams are aligned and working towards a shared vision.
In visual merchandising, I worked closely with store teams, marketing, and designers to ensure that displays aligned with the brand’s message and sales goals. This required clear communication and collaboration to bring ideas to life and maintain consistency across different locations. Similarly, in UX design, collaborating with stakeholders, developers, and other team members is crucial to delivering a cohesive product. Effective communication is key in both roles, ensuring that all teams are aligned and working towards a shared vision.
In visual merchandising, I worked closely with store teams, marketing, and designers to ensure that displays aligned with the brand’s message and sales goals. This required clear communication and collaboration to bring ideas to life and maintain consistency across different locations. Similarly, in UX design, collaborating with stakeholders, developers, and other team members is crucial to delivering a cohesive product. Effective communication is key in both roles, ensuring that all teams are aligned and working towards a shared vision.
Problem-solving
Problem-solving
Problem-solving
As a visual merchandiser, I constantly tackled challenges like optimizing store layouts and improving customer engagement through creative displays. This problem-solving process mirrors design thinking in UX, where I now address user pain points by testing, iterating, and refining designs. The ability to think critically and adjust based on feedback in merchandising has equipped me to approach UX problems with the same mindset, ensuring solutions are both user-friendly and aligned with business objectives.
As a visual merchandiser, I constantly tackled challenges like optimizing store layouts and improving customer engagement through creative displays. This problem-solving process mirrors design thinking in UX, where I now address user pain points by testing, iterating, and refining designs. The ability to think critically and adjust based on feedback in merchandising has equipped me to approach UX problems with the same mindset, ensuring solutions are both user-friendly and aligned with business objectives.
As a visual merchandiser, I constantly tackled challenges like optimizing store layouts and improving customer engagement through creative displays. This problem-solving process mirrors design thinking in UX, where I now address user pain points by testing, iterating, and refining designs. The ability to think critically and adjust based on feedback in merchandising has equipped me to approach UX problems with the same mindset, ensuring solutions are both user-friendly and aligned with business objectives.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
My experience as a Visual Merchandiser provided a solid foundation for my UX design career. Crafting store layouts and displays taught me how to create user-centered experiences while understanding the business goals of driving sales and customer engagement. This blend of creativity, problem-solving, and business insight has translated seamlessly into UX, where I now design digital experiences with both the user and business in mind. My unique background allows me to approach UX with a fresh perspective, balancing user needs with a deep understanding of how design decisions impact overall business success.
My experience as a Visual Merchandiser provided a solid foundation for my UX design career. Crafting store layouts and displays taught me how to create user-centered experiences while understanding the business goals of driving sales and customer engagement. This blend of creativity, problem-solving, and business insight has translated seamlessly into UX, where I now design digital experiences with both the user and business in mind. My unique background allows me to approach UX with a fresh perspective, balancing user needs with a deep understanding of how design decisions impact overall business success.
My experience as a Visual Merchandiser provided a solid foundation for my UX design career. Crafting store layouts and displays taught me how to create user-centered experiences while understanding the business goals of driving sales and customer engagement. This blend of creativity, problem-solving, and business insight has translated seamlessly into UX, where I now design digital experiences with both the user and business in mind. My unique background allows me to approach UX with a fresh perspective, balancing user needs with a deep understanding of how design decisions impact overall business success.
Let's team up to bring great ideas to life!
Let's team up to bring great ideas to life!
Let's team up to bring great ideas to life!
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