Window Display Designer
When the budget gets tight, who doesn’t love to escape with a little window shopping? Window displays play an integral part of the retail business.
If you’ve got an eye for design and esthetics, this could be a dream job for you.
To be a successful window display designer, you will need to be creative and have some expertise with lighting, design, and fashionable trends. Some skills in marketing wouldn’t hurt either (you’ve got to know how to draw the customer).
Studying topics such as graphic design, fashion, fine arts or visual merchandising at a university or design school can prepare you to show off your flair for window dressing.
Also, working a retail job where you can see the displays being installed, and maybe even volunteer to help construct them, can give you the first-hand experience you likely won’t get in a classroom.
As a designer your responsibilities will include developing and executing a vision. You’re main goal is to make sure you communicate (visually) what the store has to offer. And sell that product to shoppers. A design, fashion and marketing strategy all come together with this gig. You need to be able to take the lead and command a look for whatever it is you’re selling.
Not a night owl? Make sure the coffee pot is in good condition. While window display designers can work full time, many retailers prefer they come in at night so they don’t disrupt the customers. In other words, get ready for some serious all-nighters.
All your hard work could pay off though in the end. If you can make people on the street stop in their tracks or gawk at your display, then your job is done.
As a window display designer you can work in any capacity from freelance to full-time. And depending on the size of the retailer, salaries can range from $15,000 to $58,000.
